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Municipality of the District of Chester, Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia, Canada |
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Municipality of the District of Chester, Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia, Canada |
The seven communities to the right are located on the Blandford or Aspotogan Peninsula, route 329 off highway 103, exits 6 or 7. Fox Point is a main stop for lobsters at Shatford's Lobster pound.
Fox Point Mill Cove A picturesque fishing village nestled against steep hills. The road twists and turns so be prepared. Northwest Cove Aspotogan Mountain Trail off route 329 (trail begins beside a sign reading John and Thelma Clark) has several trails, not maintained, going through mixed woods and wet marshland-bring a compass. There's a great view from the the top of the mountain. Aspotogan Bayswater's white sand beach, a provincial park, is backed by a fresh water pond and a favorite site during the summer months. Stop and visit the Swissair Memorial nearby. Bayswater Blandford and New Harbour are fishing villages. New Harbour is the site of a fish processing plant. Blandford A protected cove, with a narrow entrance and a marina, make this a favorite spot for boating enthusiastics to spend the night or anchor for a picnic. Deep Cove East River The five communities to the left are located on Highway 3. East River is the home of ABT CO Hardwood manufacturer of wood products. The small beach on East River Point is usually un-crowded. East Chester Graves' Island Provincial Park offers a fine view of Mahone Bay's Islands and is a camping and day use site. The Mackerel Snappers picnic held each year is a local favorite. Visit the memorial to the Ideal Maternity Home Survivors. Chester The village is the centre of government for the municipality. Visit the Old Train Station Visitor's Center, take a walking tour of the village to see many old homes, proof of the area's rich history as a summer getaway. The Yacht Club is home to the largest fixed keel regatta in Canada. Summer theatre is presented at the Chester Playhouse. Connection for the ferry to Tancook Island. Play golf at Chester Golf Club. Marriott's Cove Middle River The three communities are located off highway 103, exit 8, to route 14. Forestry is the main industry. Bonny Lea Farm, a residential school for challenged adults is located here. Windsor Road A small rural community. Canaan Site of Sherwood Golf and Country Club and Ride With Pride a farm raising minature horses. Sherwood Chester Basin Chester Basin is located off highway 103, exit 9, to highway 3. Eat at Campbell House on Lacey Mines Road, buy and ornamental bucket or a piece of wrought iron. Chester Basin Animal Hospital is located here. Chester Grant The next three communities are located on route 12 off highway 103, exit 9. Site of Forest Heights Community School, a C@P site and a number of well-maintained trail measuring over four kms, provide year-round recreation and learning opportunities. Seffernville Watch for Christmas tree farms as you drive along. New Ross Located of highway 103 at exit 9, route 12. New Ross is an agricultural community and the site of Ross Farm Museum. Forties An active community featuring many events, reached by turning at "The Cross" in the centre of New Ross. Visit their new museum across from the community center and the Hildaniel Brown Museum The communities here are located in the western half of the municipality and are on highway 3. Use exit 9 off highway 103. Beech Hill Salmon fishing for those so inclined. Treat yourself to excellent seafood. Visit the businesses in the area. Gold river Stop at Wild Rose Park, enjoy a view of Oak Island, the site of on-going treasure hunts since 1795. Western Shore Take the turnoff to Indian Point for a scenic drive around this point of land. Martin's Point Camp at Rayport Camp Ground situated on Martin's River. Martin's River
Aspotogan Peninsula or the Blandford Peninsula
The Aspotogan Peninsula, often called the Blandford Peninsula, has a long natural and developmental history. Like many major peninsulas in Nova Scotia, its energies have been divided between two bays - St. Margaret's and Mahone, flanking its east and west shores. Hence, it long lay in clientage, or looked for example, to several competing centres: to the east, Hubbards, and ultimately Halifax/Dartmouth; to the west, Chester, and ultimately Lunenburg / Bridgewater. The economic, political, and cultural influences of those external communities served the early pioneering Peninsula well, though it may be argued that they also helped to fragment it. Isolation, a varied ethnic settlement pattern, and limited communication and transportation dictated a dependency pattern along much of the Aspotogan's shores.
Those conflicting lures persist even today, making it still difficult to perceive the peninsula as a single community - even though modern roads, improved communications, greater education, and significant immigration have changed the Aspotogan's face in many promising ways. Today, too, the early and natural attraction, arising from the industry of Lunenburg and Bridgewater is challenged by closer, suburban ties to metropolitan Halifax.
Moreover, the people of the Peninsula, with their diverse talents and visions for this unique region, can hope to lure into their midst both the eco-tourist and the new settler of the computer age. The Aspotogan offers entrepreneurial examples from past and present to those who would come to know this historic and beautiful peninsula. And it still boasts along its shores and in its interior much of the undisturbed natural beauty that has attracted connoisseurs of travel for generations - and lately, those who seek congenial surroundings in which to pursue sophisticated, highly professional careers.
The demise of the Mill Cove military base has provided the Aspotogan with a challenge to take stock of itself. Through the instrument of a federal grant, there arise promising opportunities for research, reflection and public discussion of the area's current strengths and future prospects. To that end, a Take Part Aspotogan’s Planning Committee has conducted a lengthy series of public discussions aimed at defining and assigning priority to new enterprises that would draw upon and draw together the whole Peninsula's natural and human resources, without the ancient divisions arising from exposure to two bays. These proposals are practical and future-directed, but they also call upon resources and skills arising from a long record of economic enterprise, recreational activities, and of rich cultural roots.
One result of the Committee's labours is this Report. Both readers and residents are invited to examine it, to reflect upon it, and to direct to the Committee their comments and ideas.
Alan Wilson,Professor of History, Retired
Northwest Cove
Visit Aspotogan Peninsula a site dedicated to this area of the Municipality.
Near OAK ISLAND Hwy. #3, the Lighthouse Route Western Shore, Lunenburg County
Come and visit one of Nova Scotia's best kept secrets and enjoy the natural beauty of the Atlantic Ocean. The communities of Beech Hill, Gold River, Western Shore, Martins Point and Martins River offer accommodations, activities, services and of course spectacular coastal scenery.
Enjoy a leisurely stroll at our new 1500' Wild Rose Park along the shore overlooking the islands and Mahone Bay Harbour, including the famous and mysterious Oak Island. View the islands and boats up close through our telescope and binocular viewers. Don't worry about parking. We have 4 parking lots on the park. Don't forget to bring along your bathing suit. You can change in our change/rest rooms and take a dip at our saltwater beach, have a swim, shower, and sun bathe or have lunch from one of our many eating establishments or take out a picnic lunch and use our picnic tables or benches. Don't forget your fishing rod because during July and August the mackerel are plentiful. You can fish from the wharf located at the end of the park. No license is required.
The annual mackerel fishing tournament held every year on the 4th Saturday August.
Dock your boat at the wharf and come ashore and explore. We have so much offer.
Did you know:
- that in 1861, Daniel Dimock discovered gold in Gold River? From 1862 until 1940, mines in and around the Gold River area were actively worked du what is known as Nova Scotia's Gold Rush.
- Since 1795, treasure hunters have be searching for Captain Kidd’s treasure Oak Island.
All roads lead to our communities. you're traveling on the 103, take exit 9 turn right on highway #3 or exit 10 a turn left on highway #3. If you're traveling from the Kentville, New Ross area highway #12, go to the end and turn right You are only a few minutes away from a relaxing day. The park is located approximately half way between Chester and Mahone Bay and they are waiting to serve you.
Courtesy: Western Shore & Area Improvement Association 902-624-6466
Chester Basin - "Jewel of the South Shore" - was established in 1760 by a handful of settlers. The picturesque village of Chester Basin has grown to over 600 families, where newcomers and descendants of the original immigrants from France, Germany and Switzerland (known as foreign Protestants) - as well as United Empire Loyalists - live side by side and share a love of the Basin’s unspoiled beauty, peaceful waters, historic sites and homes. The district encompasses all that area lying between the Gold and Middle rivers and the lands to the north, known as Chester Grant.
Boasting a rich history of boat building, barrel making and gold mining, Chester Basin’s core area offers a sheltered harbour and wharf for yachtsmen to "Come by Sea". From the waterfront, one can walk to all amenities - church, Credit Union, Canadian Legion, drug store, gas stations, grocery store, lodgings, post office, animal hospital, fire and medical services. No matter how one approaches the "Basin", take time to savour the superb country dining as well as visit our unique art, antique, craft and garden shops.
Begin at Anvil Park and stroll leisurely along Borgel’s Point Road and enjoy panoramic views of rugged coastline and well-treed waterfrontage, period structures, homes and cottages, a quaint old cemetery and country lanes - a haven for painters and photographers.
Whether you are walking, hiking, biking, driving, paddling, cruising, sailing or just exploring - discover our "Basin" nestled in and part of the beautiful South Shore of Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia.
Come - share with us this "jewel" of a village - Chester Basin - with its spectacular beauty and so much more.
Chester looks out over the 365 islands (well that's what local legend says, though no one's sure if anyone has actually counted them) of magnificent Mahone Bay, past the hump of Quaker Island to Big and Little Tancook and East Ironbound beyond: that this is a sailor's paradise is plain to see, for there are plenty of places to run before the wind but also hundreds of sheltered coves and bays for idling and exploring. (For those without boats, the $5 round trip on the Tancook ferry is a great bargain.)
The village of Chester was founded in 1759 by New Englanders. After more than 200 years it has become a place of pleasant cafes and restaurants, gracious homes, treed streets and a timeless air of gentility. There are mansions and humbler homes, spilling up and down hillsides and out on "the peninsula."
The Front Harbour is where the Tancook ferry docks, and where the yacht club is located. The harbour is busy all summer with boats of all kinds, many of them come up from New England ports or the Caribbean, for summer in Chester means yacht races, garden parties, parades, good food and good cheer. The highlight of the season is Chester Race Week. The Back Harbour is the site of the Lido, a salt water swimming pool, surrounded by some of the town's most elegant houses. There are pleasant restaurants overlooking both harbours.
Visitors are also attracted by the 18 hole golf course, with its own splendid views to distract golfers, by the Chester Playhouse's live theatre productions, and the surrounding countryside, with its miles of unspoiled woodland hills.
