Parrsboro

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Community in Nova Scotia, Canada

title: "Parrsboro" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["communities-in-cumberland-county,-nova-scotia", "former-towns-in-nova-scotia", "populated-places-disestablished-in-2016", "populated-coastal-places-in-canada", "unincorporated-communities-in-nova-scotia"] description: "Community in Nova Scotia, Canada" topic_path: "geography/canada" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parrsboro" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Community in Nova Scotia, Canada ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

FieldValue
official_nameParrsboro
mottoParrsboro 'Rocks'
image_skylineParrsboro MainStreet NS Canada.JPG
image_captionMain Street Parrsboro
image_flagParrsboro NS flag.gif
image_sealParrsboro NS seal.gif
image_blank_emblemParrsboro logo.png
pushpin_mapNova Scotia
pushpin_label_positionright
pushpin_map_captionLocation of Parrsboro
pushpin_mapsize275
subdivision_typeCountry
subdivision_nameCanada
subdivision_type1Province
subdivision_name1
subdivision_type2Municipality
subdivision_name2Municipality of the County of Cumberland
seat_typeElectoral Districts
Federal
seat
Cumberland-Colchester
parts_typeProvincial
partsCumberland South
leader_title1Councilor
leader_name1Marchel Strong
leader_title2MLA
leader_name2Tory Rushton
leader_title3MP
leader_name3Alana Hirtle
established_titleFounded
established_date1670
established_title2Incorporated
established_date2July 15, 1889
established_title3Dissolved
established_date3November 1, 2016
unit_pref
area_footnotes(2016)
area_total_km214.80
area_land_km2
population_as_of2016
population_footnotes
population_total1205
population_density_km281.4
timezoneAST
utc_offset-4
timezone_DSTADT
utc_offset_DST-3
coordinates
elevation_footnotes
elevation_min_m0
elevation_max_m47
postal_code_typePostal code
postal_codeB0M 1S0
area_code902
blank_nameTelephone exchange
blank_info254
blank1_nameMedian Earnings*
blank1_info$27,472
blank2_nameNTS Map
blank2_info021H08
blank3_nameGNBC Code
blank3_infoCBCYW
websitehttps://cumberlandcounty.ns.ca/
footnotes*Median household income, 2005 ($) (all households)
::

| official_name = Parrsboro | motto = Parrsboro 'Rocks' | image_skyline = Parrsboro MainStreet NS Canada.JPG | image_caption = Main Street Parrsboro | image_flag = Parrsboro NS flag.gif | image_seal = Parrsboro NS seal.gif | image_shield = | image_blank_emblem = Parrsboro logo.png | image_map = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = Nova Scotia | pushpin_label_position = right | pushpin_map_caption = Location of Parrsboro | pushpin_mapsize = 275 | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Canada | subdivision_type1 = Province | subdivision_name1 = | subdivision_type2 = Municipality | subdivision_name2 = Municipality of the County of Cumberland | seat_type = Electoral Districts
Federal | seat = Cumberland-Colchester | parts_type = Provincial | parts = Cumberland South | government_footnotes = | government_type = | leader_title = | leader_name = | leader_title1 = Councilor | leader_name1 = Marchel Strong | leader_title2 = MLA | leader_name2 = Tory Rushton | leader_title3 = MP | leader_name3 = Alana Hirtle | established_title = Founded | established_date = 1670 | established_title2 = Incorporated | established_date2 = July 15, 1889 | established_title3 = Dissolved | established_date3 = November 1, 2016 | unit_pref = | area_footnotes = (2016) | area_total_km2 = 14.80 | area_land_km2 = | area_water_km2 = | population_as_of = 2016 | population_footnotes = | population_note = | population_total = 1205 | population_density_km2 = 81.4 | timezone = AST | utc_offset = -4 | timezone_DST = ADT | utc_offset_DST = -3 | coordinates = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_min_m = 0 | elevation_max_m = 47 | postal_code_type = Postal code | postal_code = B0M 1S0 | area_code = 902 | blank_name = Telephone exchange | blank_info = 254 | blank1_name = Median Earnings* | blank1_info = $27,472 | blank2_name = NTS Map | blank2_info = 021H08 | blank3_name = GNBC Code | blank3_info = CBCYW | website = https://cumberlandcounty.ns.ca/ | footnotes = *Median household income, 2005 ($) (all households) Parrsboro is a community located in Cumberland County, Nova Scotia, Canada.

A regional service centre for southern Cumberland County, the community is also known for its port on the Minas Basin, the Ship's Company Theatre productions, and the Fundy Geological Museum.

History

Before the arrival of European settlers, Parrsboro was a portage point for Mikmaq travellers along the Minas Basin and Cumberland County river systems. The native inhabitants called the region "Awokum," meaning a 'short-cut' or 'passing-over point.'

The first European settlers were the Acadians in 1670 at the western mouth of the Parrsboro Harbour, near Partridge Island. After they were expelled in 1755, they were replaced by New England Planters. The centre of settlement gradually shifted from Partridge Island to the sheltered estuary of the Parrsboro River where a harbour and surrounding mills grew. The settlement, at first named Mill Village, was renamed Parrsboro in honour of Nova Scotia Governor John Parr in 1784, and the town was incorporated on July 15, 1889.

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/Town_Hall_and_Civic_Gardens_of_Parrsboro,Nova_Scotia-_08673.JPG" caption="The Old Town Hall and Civic Gardens"] ::

Parrsboro thrived in the mid 19th century as the hub of a string of shipbuilding communities from Economy to Advocate collectively known as the "Parrsboro Shore". The town became a port of registry in 1850 for over 115 locally built schooners as well as giant square riggers, culminating in the largest, the ship Glooscap in 1891. In its peak years of the 1890s, over 1646 ships arrived and departed annually.

The Springhill and Parrsboro Railway began service to the town from the coal mining town of Springhill on July 1, 1877; Parrsboro became a coal shipping port for the Springhill mines, primarily serving Saint John, New Brunswick. Railway service to Parrsboro was abandoned on June 14, 1958, following several years of declining shipments, several months before the 1958 mining disaster.

Throughout the late 19th century and first four decades of the twentieth century, Parrsboro saw daily ferry service across the Minas Basin to the Annapolis Valley ports of Kingsport and Wolfville. The 13th and final vessel in this service, operated by the Dominion Atlantic Railway, was the MV Kipawo, which is now permanently beached at Parrsboro and incorporated into the Ship's Company Theatre performance centre.

A Handley Page V/1500 named Atlantic made a forced landing in Parrsboro July 5, 1919. When the starboard engine failed the pilot, Major Brackley saw the lights of the town during the night and landed. After three months, the aircraft was repaired and departed for Greenport, New York, Parrsboro's sister town. The local Air Cadet Squadron, 689 Handley Page, is named after this event.

On April 10, 1984, Parrsboro resident Eldon George located the world's smallest dinosaur footprints at Wasson Bluff, a series of cliffs to the east of Parrsboro Harbour. The prints are now on display at the Parrsboro Rock and Mineral Shop and Museum, owned by George.

Municipal governance

Parrsboro was incorporated as a town on July 15, 1889. On October 5, 2015 the Town Council filed an application for dissolution with the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board. The NSURB held public hearings in November 2015 and issued a decision on June 15, 2016 granting the application. The Town of Parrsboro was dissolved effective November 1, 2016 and merged into the larger Municipality of the County of Cumberland.

Climate

|location = Parrsboro, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1897–present |single line = Yes |metric first = Yes |width=auto |Jan record high C = 18.2 |Feb record high C = 16.9 |Mar record high C = 20.0 |Apr record high C = 27.2 |May record high C = 31.0 |Jun record high C = 31.7 |Jul record high C = 33.3 |Aug record high C = 33.3 |Sep record high C = 29.4 |Oct record high C = 27.4 |Nov record high C = 22.5 |Dec record high C = 18.9 |year record high C = 33.3 |Jan high C = -0.8 |Feb high C = -0.5 |Mar high C = 3.0 |Apr high C = 8.8 |May high C = 15.1 |Jun high C = 19.7 |Jul high C = 23.1 |Aug high C = 23.1 |Sep high C = 19.3 |Oct high C = 13.7 |Nov high C = 7.9 |Dec high C = 2.4 |year high C = 11.2 |Jan mean C = −5.8 |Feb mean C = −5.6 |Mar mean C = -1.6 |Apr mean C = 4.0 |May mean C = 9.6 |Jun mean C = 14.1 |Jul mean C = 17.5 |Aug mean C = 17.5 |Sep mean C = 14.1 |Oct mean C = 8.8 |Nov mean C = 3.6 |Dec mean C = -1.9 |year mean C = 6.2 |Jan low C = -10.8 |Feb low C = -10.5 |Mar low C = -6.2 |Apr low C = -0.9 |May low C = 4.0 |Jun low C = 8.5 |Jul low C = 11.9 |Aug low C = 11.8 |Sep low C = 8.9 |Oct low C = 3.9 |Nov low C = -0.7 |Dec low C = -6.2 |year low C = 1.1 |Jan record low C = -35.6 |Feb record low C = -35.0 |Mar record low C = -27.2 |Apr record low C = -23.9 |May record low C = -9.4 |Jun record low C = -3.9 |Jul record low C = -0.6 |Aug record low C = -3.9 |Sep record low C = -5.6 |Oct record low C = -11.7 |Nov record low C = -23.3 |Dec record low C = -31.7 |year record low C = -35.6 |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation mm = 112.5 |Feb precipitation mm = 83.9 |Mar precipitation mm = 96.3 |Apr precipitation mm = 104.8 |May precipitation mm = 98.0 |Jun precipitation mm = 100.2 |Jul precipitation mm = 85.2 |Aug precipitation mm = 82.3 |Sep precipitation mm = 122.0 |Oct precipitation mm = 114.4 |Nov precipitation mm = 111.9 |Dec precipitation mm = 135.6 |year precipitation mm = 1247.1 |Jan snow cm = 60.9 |Feb snow cm = 48.8 |Mar snow cm = 45.5 |Apr snow cm = 17.0 |May snow cm = 1.4 |Jun snow cm = 0.0 |Jul snow cm = 0.0 |Aug snow cm = 0.0 |Sep snow cm = 0.0 |Oct snow cm = 0.1 |Nov snow cm = 10.6 |Dec snow cm = 46.0 |year snow cm = 230.3 |unit precipitation days = 0.2 mm |Jan precipitation days = 17.6 |Feb precipitation days = 16.3 |Mar precipitation days = 16.2 |Apr precipitation days = 16.6 |May precipitation days = 16.2 |Jun precipitation days = 14.9 |Jul precipitation days = 14.0 |Aug precipitation days = 13.7 |Sep precipitation days = 14.0 |Oct precipitation days = 15.3 |Nov precipitation days = 16.9 |Dec precipitation days = 18.9 |year precipitation days = 190.4 |unit snow days = 0.2 cm |Jan snow days = 10.8 |Feb snow days = 9.6 |Mar snow days = 8.0 |Apr snow days = 3.4 |May snow days = 0.36 |Jun snow days = 0.0 |Jul snow days = 0.0 |Aug snow days = 0.0 |Sep snow days = 0.0 |Oct snow days = 0.05 |Nov snow days = 2.6 |Dec snow days = 8.7 |year snow days = 43.4 | time day = 15:00 LST | Jan humidity = 70.6 | Feb humidity = 65.6 | Mar humidity = 60.4 | Apr humidity = 58.9 | May humidity = 61.9 | Jun humidity = 64.7 | Jul humidity = 67.5 | Aug humidity = 65.8 | Sep humidity = 66.3 | Oct humidity = 67.1 | Nov humidity = 70.6 | Dec humidity = 74.6 | year humidity = 66.2 |source 1 = Environment Canada (snow 1981–2010){{cite web | publisher = Environment Canada | url = http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=6428&lang=e&province=NS&provSubmit=go&page=26&dCode=0 | title = Parrsboro, Nova Scotia | work = Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010 | date=October 31, 2011 | access-date = 12 May 2015}}{{cite web | publisher = Environment Canada | url = https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1991_2020_e.html?searchType=stnName_1991&txtStationName_1991=parrsboro&searchMethod=contains&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=42000000&dispBack=1 | title = Parrsboro | work = Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020 | date = 30 January 2024 | access-date = 8 April 2024}} |date = November 2011

Area features

|1881|1206 |1891|1909 |1901|3391 |1911|2856 |1921|2748 |1931|1919 |1941|1971 |1951|1906 |1956|1849 |1961|1834 |1981|1799 |1986|1729 |1991|1634 |1996|1617 |2001|1529 |2006|1401 |2011|1305 |2016|1205 |footnote = |2021|1327}} As with much of rural Nova Scotia, the primary industry in Parrsboro is tourism. The community is known for its seasonal theatre productions at the Ship's Company Theatre, fossil and rock hounding attractions, museums, high tides and heritage buildings. The cliffs along the Minas Basin to the east and west of Parrsboro contain fossils of prehistoric animals and plants. Many fossils are on display in local museums.

Of the three museums in Parrsboro, two are dedicated to geological history. The Fundy Geological Museum, located along the eastern shore of Parrsboro Harbour, and the Parrsboro Rock and Mineral Shop and Museum, along the western shore, display many unearthed discoveries and provide information on the history of the region's landscape.

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/19/Parrsboro_Customs_House.JPG" caption="The former post office, armoury and customs house (1913) has been converted into a space for artistic and cultural activities and hosts residencies from artists, writers, academics, dancers, musicians, etc. There is an art gallery on the 2nd floor. The Wave house (1887) and the former united church(1896 on Queen street are also used in the residency program"] ::

The third museum is the Ottawa House. It was built 1775 but contains evidence of Acadian construction as well as several additions. Located along the western coast of Parrsboro Harbour, near Partridge Island, it occupies the original town site and is near the legendary landing site of Henry Sinclair, 1397, and the factual site of Samuel de Champlain, 1607. It was the summer home of Father of Confederation Sir Charles Tupper, 1860s, and was named in honour of Canada's Capital. A major focus is Parrsboro's shipbuilding history and the museum has many artifacts that date from the Age of Sail.

A three-storey clock tower is a prominent feature of Parrsboro's Main St. The tower is part of a big, red-brick government building that was partially opened in 1913 and completed the following year. The building housed an armoury that conducted military training during both World Wars, a post office, a customs house and a weather station. The federal government sold it to private interests in 1973 when the post office moved to another location. The building stood empty for decades, but was acquired in 2011 by Harvey Lev, a Montreal businessman with interests in heritage real estate. After extensive renovations, Lev and his partner, Judith Bauer, opened a centre called Main & Station in the spring of 2013. It provides spaces for a variety of activities including art exhibits, conferences, workshops, poetry readings and a café.

A cultural and community centre, known locally as The Hall, has been a prominent feature of community life for more than a century. It is located in a former Presbyterian Church at 44 King St. that dates from 1884. The Town of Parrsboro purchased the building in 1942 and used it for school purposes. It served as a school auditorium and music room as well as a space for household and vocational training. The extensively renovated building is now run by the Parrsboro Band Association. It features concert performances by the Parrsboro Citizens' Band, one of the oldest such citizens' bands in Canada. Professional musicians also perform at The Hall and there are frequent community "Open Mic" nights. Films are regularly shown in its movie theatre and it provides space for community meetings, theatre rehearsals and fundraising events.

Other community features include local churches, a public library, a primary and secondary school, and a 50-watt radio station, Parrsboro Community Radio, heard at 99.1 FM.

Economy

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4b/License_plate_shed_near_Parrsboro,NS-_08659.jpg" caption="Tourism is the town's main industry."] ::

Although Parrsboro has a flourishing tourism industry and several small businesses, the community - common to many maritime communities faces economic challenges. The decline of wooden shipbuilding in the late 19th century dealt a severe blow to the local economy, along with neighbouring communities such as Port Greville and Shulie. The community also suffered from the depletion of local forests and the closing of the Springhill coal mines which ended coal shipments and railway service. A further blow was felt from highway route changes in the late 1950s as part of the Trans-Canada Highway project; Highway 2 was the primary highway from Truro to Amherst until the upgrading (and new construction) of Highway 4 through the Wentworth Valley to form the present-day expressway Highway 104. These changes contributed to an economic decline in Parrsboro in the latter half of the 20th century after some businesses, such as the O'Regan's garage and car dealership, moved to larger population centres.

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6f/Blueberry_fields_at_Parrsboro.jpg" caption="archive-date = 2007-12-21}}"] ::

In 2006, Headz Gamez, a British Columbia-based board game manufacturer, announced that it was relocating 1,500 manufacturing jobs from its facilities in China to Parrsboro. Promises of manufacturing facilities, employee housing and recreation facilities were made; however, the project was cancelled later that year after the CEO sold off his personal company stock and resigned his position. The company declared bankruptcy in early 2007.

Notable residents

Demographics

The 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada showed a population of 1327 living in the former Town of Parrsboro living in 662 of its 817 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of 1,205. With a land area of 14.8 km2, it had a population density of in 2016.

Parrsboro's sister cities

References

References

  2. "Nova Scotia Archives - Place-Names and Places of Nova Scotia".
  3. "Ottawa House By-The-Sea Museum – Our History".
  4. "History - Town of Parrsboro, Nova Scotia".
  5. Stanley Spicer ''Sails of Fundy: The Schooners and Square-riggers of the Parrsboro Shore'' (Hantsport, NS: Lancelot Press, 1984), p.15
  6. (March 2018). "Historical Timeline - Town of Parrsboro, Nova Scotia".
  7. "Kipawo".
  8. (March 2018). "The Handley Page, Parrsboro, N.S., Page 1".
  9. "Tim Fedak".
  10. "Town of Parrsboro Order of Dissolution".
  11. [http://www66.statcan.gc.ca/eng/acyb_c1966-eng.aspx?opt=/eng/1966/196602190191_p.%20191.pdf Census 1956-1961]
  12. [http://www66.statcan.gc.ca/eng/acyb_c1910-eng.aspx?opt=/eng/1910/191000690013_p.%2013.pdf Census 1881-1901]
  13. "Canada Year Book 1932".
  14. "Canada Year Book 1955".
  15. "Canada Year Book 1967".
  16. [http://www.gov.ns.ca/finance/publish/CENSUS/Census%201.pdf] {{Webarchive. link. (2013-10-05 , Censuses 1981-2001)
  17. (January 15, 2001). "Census of Population".
  18. "Fundy Geological Museum, Nova Scotia - Home".
  19. "The Parrsboro Rock and Mineral Shop and Museum".
  20. "Ottawa House By-The-Sea Museum - Home".
  21. Centennial Book Committee (1988, 2001). ''Heritage Homes and History of Parrsboro''. Dartmouth: Print Atlantic.
  22. (January 24, 2013). "Radio Talk About Main & Station". CBC Information Morning.
  23. (January 21, 2013). "depARTment store". Main & Station.
  24. "Parrsboro Band Association".
  25. [http://www.oregans.com/about-us/ "About Us" O'Regans Car Dealership]
  26. "Town Profile".
  27. (2007-01-09). "Headz Gamez files for bankruptcy". CBC News.
  28. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. (2022-02-09). "2021 Census of Population geographic summary: 12110082 [Dissemination area], Nova Scotia".
  29. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. (2022-02-09). "2021 Census of Population geographic summary: 12110083 [Dissemination area], Nova Scotia".
  30. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. (2022-02-09). "2021 Census of Population geographic summary: 12110081 [Dissemination area], Nova Scotia".
  31. (February 8, 2017). "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Nova Scotia)". [[Statistics Canada]].
  32. Andrew Wagstaff. "Parrsboro to adopt West Coast sister". Amherst Daily News.

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::

communities-in-cumberland-county,-nova-scotiaformer-towns-in-nova-scotiapopulated-places-disestablished-in-2016populated-coastal-places-in-canadaunincorporated-communities-in-nova-scotia