BEAR RIVER - Times & Tides

BEAR RIVER - Times & Tides If you don't know history, you know nothing - You are a leaf that doesn't know it is part of a tree. Enjoy!

Even in Bob Benson's retirement years, he has been committed to make the village a better place. As a native of the town, Bob spent much of his youth on the river and delights in sharing the opportunity to connect to this very special tidal river with visitors to the town. His keen memory is a great source of historical information and Bob is always happy to share a few stories with those interest

ed in the history of our area. As you will see from his posts he continues to enlightened us with frequent posts about Bear River's past, present and it's hopeful future.

A PIPELINE OF NECCESSITY… Determination ruled, regardless of the circumstances in our unique village of Bear River, Nova...
06/20/2026

A PIPELINE OF NECCESSITY…
Determination ruled, regardless of the circumstances in our unique village of Bear River, Nova Scotia. This post will relate to just one such event that took place over 100 years ago.
Clarke Brothers were leaders in Industrial Bear River with lumber Mills, hardwood dowels, a clothespin factory and ship building.
Then, in the early 20s came the pulp mill located at the mouth of Bear River. As the operation became a reality so did a massive problem; not enough freshwater available from a small lake, just north of the mill. They were not yet defeated - the Bear River had water! But, the freshwater was 4 1/2 miles away. This resulted in the construction of a wooden pipeline, 2 1/2 feet in diameter or approximately 6 feet in circumference with a length of 23,760 feet (4 1/2 miles). The wooden construction was of 2 inch Douglas fur, milled with a curvature and tongue and groove with a total of 285,120 board feet. Today's value of this necessary premium grade, averages approximately $9.00 per board foot or at today's value would have a total estimated cost of just over $2 million.
In addition, to this there were steel bands every 6 inches with a total number of over 430,000. Added cost to be considered was the labour putting it together with gradual grades and turns they also needed a prepared bed which can still be seen in some areas of the riverbank
*(a trail in the making).
Unfortunately, the mill was not successful for several reasons, however, we must certainly recognize the determination in attempting to overcome a major problem.
Now back to the uniqueness of our small community in Nova Scotia. In that time of history, was there any other private wooden pipelines of equal length and size in our province?
Again, we thank all those that share our posts.

Hands and Handles of our Past....A recent newspaper headline states "EnterpriseEntrepreneurship" in SHARP decline.Let u...
05/16/2026

Hands and Handles of our Past....
A recent newspaper headline states "Enterprise
Entrepreneurship" in SHARP decline.
Let us now step to the past as we compare our Visionaries as of 1871, before and after, with consideration of several walks of life, remembering that upon first arrival in the late 1700s land needed to be cleared, mills built, houses to be constructed and food provided.
The area was occupied by the First Nations people who experienced a sustainable livelihood from what mother nature provided. Their knowledge was certainly of benefit to the newcomers.
Let us now consider Bear River Community accomplishments by 1871.
Trades listed in no special order:
• 53 farmers - of those 20 were Harris', 7 were Chutes and 5 were Dunns.
• Mastership builders - Luke Bogart, John Lent, and C. E. Benson & Company.
• Shipwright's - Iscak Benson, John Benson, William Benson, William Copeland, Christopher Benson, Christopher E. Benson and Edmond Benson.
• Building Movers - Burton Chute.
• Caulkers - Charles Letteny and John Moore
• Blockmakers - Eliapun Tupper
• Ship Owners - Harris Chute, B.J. Elliott and Andrew Mack.
• Collectors of Customs - Zehadiah Croscup.
• Accountant - John Dunn.
• Merchants and General dealers - V. T. Hardwith, Albert Harris, Frederick ​__, William Reed, Mose Rice, H. Blakslne, H.H, Chute and Newton ​__.
• Shoemakers - William Dunn, Charles Dunn and Nelson Wade.
• B.J.P. - Stephen Hennigar.
• Jointer - John Harlow,
• Doctors - Dr. James Beckwith, Dr. Robert, J, MD, Dr. RJ Ellison.
• Blacksmiths - Richard Hughes and David Quigley.
• Ironfounder - Jack Beaton.
• Mason - Peter Johnson.
Our next post will continue the list of Bear River Visionaries along with a list of all family names as of 1871.
At this point, however we must acknowledge the most essential group that came into being in the late 1770s and continued until the 1940s; the Woodmen.
Our mills, houses, church buildings and the ship building industry were all dependent on those hard-working wood harvesters. The attached photos of 90 handles of Bucksaws and Crosscut saws, prove a 90 man workforce.
Please note: Each bucksaw handle was carved differently by the owner for fit, and identification. Note: Our past post was our most successful of all during the past 13 years with a total of approximately 29,000 views and over 1900 engagements.
Again, thanks to all who shared which helps to increase interest in our truly unique community of Bear River. Nova Scotia.
Is Bear River again unique with proof of the manpower once provided for community growth.

13 years of Bear River "Times and Tides" posts have resulted in success due to the many that shared them, for whom we wi...
04/13/2026

13 years of Bear River "Times and Tides" posts have resulted in success due to the many that shared them, for whom we wish to thank.
Our last six posts have had an estimated total views of over 53,000 with over 900 interactions. At this point, we shall attempt to condense the highlights of our community, truly unique in its own way.
For those of you that have not made a visit, please just consider the following as a lore post-- many may not be of interest to you, however we consider that we do offer a bit of the three major tourism related products which are Outdoor Adventure, History & Culture, and What's for dinner or What's cooking?
We enjoy sharing our truly unique community of Bear River, Nova Scotia, Canada estimated in a carved out ravine of slate rock, dating back to the glacier age. The resulting formation also provided a landscape of hills and valleys divided by seven tributaries, all flowing into our Fundy Tidal River, which rises and falls at the rate of 4 feet per hour. Evidence of our uniqueness is proven by the several names given to our area, including the first by the Mi'kmaq, which was L'sitkuk, (meaning the river), followed by the Switzerland of Nova Scotia, the Tidal Village, Village on Stilts and Artisan community.
We can also boast of at least 12 published books regarding our community growth and in just industrial paths in reference to our sawmills and shipyards.
Currently, we welcome visitors to experience our Galleries, Studios, Shops and visit our Museum located in our former Oakdene School under the shade of perhaps the largest red oak tree in Nova Scotia.
A visit to our two wineries is a must, for many as it is relaxing by our Tidal river. We also offer great fall colors, soaring eagles, and massive granite boulders viewed in the flowing tributaries.
See the many homes built on the hill sides, and the steeple of the Baptist Church extending 100 feet towards the sky.
Bring your camera and step to the past as you enjoy the present and envision our future, all part of the Bear River experience.

Three families and the Ethel Clarke vessel of Bear River, Nova Scotia...Although Bear River was discovered in 1604 it wa...
03/04/2026

Three families and the Ethel Clarke vessel of Bear River, Nova Scotia...
Although Bear River was discovered in 1604 it was several years before settlement began.
An invitation in 1759 by the British to loyal British subjects living in New England and known as "Planters" to settle on the fertile land left vacant by the expelled Acadians resulted in thousands of arrivals to Nova Scotia. They brought livestock and equipment to areas such as Granville across the river from Annapolis Royal. Included were Marshall families, descendants of John Marshall born in 1569 in Southmark, England. W. F. Marshall was born in Marshalltown and died in Bear River. He commanded several vessels and was also involved in the ship building industry of Bear River, as well as his son, Alpheus Marshall Sr. Alpheus' wife was Tamer Hardwick and their son was Alpheus B. Marshall born in Bear River in 1870.
The next of the three families involved in this post is the Benson family (my family). Christopher Benson was born in 1720 in Devonshire, England. He moved to New York in 1759. Christopher became the Captain of the First Independant Company of New York Rangers in 1777. His two sons were also officers in the Revolutionary war. Expecting the outcome of the war, he sent Christopher Jr. with the frame of a house, their best furniture and silver to Granville, Nova Scotia, because of their involvement as loyalists in the war, they received a total of 2300 acres of land in the Bear River area. Christopher Jr. had a son, William S. Benson, who was the father of Christopher Anderson Benson, he was born in Granville, then lived in Bear River, where he was very involved in shipbuilding as was his son Captain John Henry Benson, master ship builder.
The third family involvement in this post is the Clarke family, Camas, certainly very well acknowledged in the history of Bear River. The Clarkes were descendant of Colonel William Clarke, a native of Yorkshire, England, who came to Nova Scotia with his two sons, Richard and John. Richard Clarke had a son, Richard Clark Jr., occupation Shipbuilder. The two sons of Richard were Wallace, born in 1854 and Willard born in 1857. In 1891 Clarke brothers were noted as one of the first and most enterprising business houses in the province.
These three families of English heritage certainly shared a true involvement and understanding of shipbuilding and the sea.
SHIPPING NEWS ...
• The "Alpheus Marshall", a two masted Barque was owned by Alpheus Marshall and built by Captain John Benson in 1872.
• The "Annie J. Marshall" was also built by Captain John Benson in 1877.
• The "Castano" a 215 ton Schooner was built at the Clarke shipyard owned by Clarke brothers.
• The "Harry Stewart" a 244 ton Brigantine was owned by the Clarke brothers.
The list goes on, however, the most noted of all is the "Ethel Clarke", built at the Benson shipyard by Captain John Benson. Ethel Clark was the young daughter of Willard Clarke and Annie Marshall, who drowned near the east bank of the Bear River.
The vessel "Ethel Clarke" was the pride of the Clarke fleet. She was a 434 ton Barquentine.
• In 1892, she made a record passage from Digby to Cuba in 25 days.
• In 1895, she sailed from Bridgetown, Nova Scotia to Cuba with 460,000 board feet of lumber.
So much more could be said, however, we will end with the following.
Three families with English heritage working together with a common interest and determination resulted in their community, being near self-sufficient and being recognized in many parts of the world.

Heritage Day, February 16 in Bear River, Nova Scotia, a time for review... beginning just over 420 years ago. Divided by...
02/15/2026

Heritage Day, February 16 in Bear River, Nova Scotia, a time for review... beginning just over 420 years ago. Divided by a River that can boast of several names.
First named by the Mi'Kmaq as L'sitkuk. Then known by Champlain as St. Anthony River in 1604. Captain Simon Imbert, who explored to the "head of the tide" resulted in the river be known as Imbert's River. However, Louis Hebert, who sought to cultivate the grape vines along its banks is most credited, do to a corruption of his name to Bear River.
Early settlers, included planters and loyalists, many coming from Granville and Annapolis areas. Included in those receiving land grants were families of Miller's, Clarke's, Harris', Benson's, and Rice's plus the Waldec and Hessian German soldiers.
A directory of 1867 lists two separate communities, Bridgeport in Annapolis County and Hillsborough in Digby County with the River being the dividing line.
Marsh areas on both sides of the River were filled in using oxen hauling logs, rocks and fill, enabling the first bridge to span the Bear River with the capability of opening for ships.
The first wooden bridge was taken out by ice as was the second steel bridge in 1923.
The third bridge which some of us remember, was removed by two cranes and replaced by the present cement bridge.
Also, it should be noted on this Heritage Day that in 1867 our combined village, had a total of 26 different trades and occupations.
Are we unique yet again?
• A river of four names.
• Two communities divided by a river, making one, yet sharing two counties.
• Four River bridges in the same spot.
• 26 different trades and occupations in a village of our size in 1867.

Thanks again to all who share and comment. These posts are intended to create added interest in our community for the benefit of all.o

We need to relate more to you about our Bear River, Nova Scotia trees, Understanding this post may not be as popular as ...
02/08/2026

We need to relate more to you about our Bear River, Nova Scotia trees, Understanding this post may not be as popular as the previous Red Oak tree post, which has received over 14,000 views. We sincerely wish to thank all those that helped with sharing and comments. These previous posts are intended to create added interest in our truly unique community to the benefit of all.
Although we were blessed with the majority of Nova Scotia Species of trees, we can boast of at least two additional species which have been historically recorded.
The first Cherry tree was brought here by William Sutherland, in 1783. Mr. Sutherland stated, if no monument was erected in his name, all the cherry trees would have a blight and die (many did).
Second was the Lombardi Poplar, brought here by the Waldecian soldiers from their German homeland. (see photo attached).
Additional trees included the Black Locust, native to Southeastern U.S. We have locust trees near the Riverfront in Bear River, where our vessels from the past docked. I
We also have Hackmatack here also called Tamarack in Maine.
Our shipyards used to hackmatack roots as knees in the construction of vessels.
Our vast stance of trees are responsible for our very industrious past and now are noted for the great variety of beautiful Fall foliage, as well as color variations in Spring.
A very brief indication of the past importance of our trees to our community's growth is proven by the following facts. Our trees, turned into logs, then sawn into timber, enabled the building of our homes, five churches, a School and approximately 125 vessels that shipped our timber to many parts of the world.
Clarke Brother's alone had total estimated sales of $200,000 in 1897 from their 40,000 acres. (see photo)

I hope you enjoy these posts.
Please continue to like and share.

In Bear River, Nova Scotia we have a living Monument, well known to all former Bear River families as a focal point of o...
01/27/2026

In Bear River, Nova Scotia we have a living Monument, well known to all former Bear River families as a focal point of our community. Red oak trees are the only Oak species native to Nova Scotia, as is our 'Great Oak' located in our former Oakdene School yard. For over 100 years students of the past two schools enjoyed relaxing time under or around this massive Oak tree. The majority of our school photos were taken in the area of the oak.
In 1783, a military survey recorded groves of Oak on the high ground East of the river and believed to be 60 or more years old. That would make our oak tree approximately 300 years old and if not the largest in Nova scotia, certainly very close. It is certain that no other red oak tree in the province has been enjoyed and remembered by thousands of students as has ours.
In St Augustine, Florida there is a tourist attraction the 'Old Senator' tree, considered as an historic landmark.
In Charleston, South Carolina there is 'Angel Oak' tree, listed as an historic landmark, estimated to be between 300 and 400 years old.

Conclusion: We have yet another opportunity to promote our truly unique Nova Scotia community.

Our truly unique landscape has over the years resulted in our river and area being given several names, the Mi'kmaq name...
01/13/2026

Our truly unique landscape has over the years resulted in our river and area being given several names, the Mi'kmaq name was "Lsitkuk" meaning, flowing along between high rocks.
Our promotional name for many years was "the Switzerland of Nova Scotia", certainly recognition to our uniqueness. Promotion included a high white sign with black letters, located near our railway station.
Our land area on the west side of the river was still referred to as
Hillsborough in 1871.
In no way can we describe the creation of our special part of the world we know as Nova Scotia as did Horatio Crowell in his "Ode to Nova Scotia" of which a copy was posted in The Chronicle Herald in 1995 under a Nova Scotia banner.
Please find attached to this post, a copy of Horatio Crowell's masterpiece in which he describes Nova Scotia as God's land with much of his description very fitting for our own very special location now known as Bear River.
To all viewers: As you read this attachment, consider the last three paragraphs as the description, well suited to our own contour of hills, valleys, babbling rocks, and the murmur of the tides.
To the viewers: As you read this attachment, consider the last three paragraphs as the description well suited to our own contour of hills, valleys, babbling brooks and the murmur of the tides.
Again, we wish to thank all those that share our posts. Our last post to date has received 10,372 views with your help.

The gift of the melting glacier to our Bear River, left us with a truly unique land formation. We have seven ravines plu...
01/03/2026

The gift of the melting glacier to our Bear River, left us with a truly unique land formation. We have seven ravines plus the river itself.
The last of the seven Ravine posts is regarding Kniffen Hollow which was named in keeping with the loyalist Kniffen family that lived in the immediate area.
In the old deeds the road branching off the Chute road is the Kniffen road.
Mary Kniffen was the mother of The Clark Brothers from her marriage to Richard Clarke. Two of the brothers were Wallace William Clarke and Willard G. Clarke. Wallace married Mary Chute, daughter of Harris Harding Chute and Elizabeth Rice. Willard married and Ann J. Marshall. These family names are the most recognized families in the history of the growth of our Bear River community.
A visit to Kniffen Hollow for a first-time visitor can be considered a true experience considering the very steep decline on both the North and South boundaries and flowing water at the extreme bottom of the elevations. Note: I have descended the North severe decline twice in my life; first in a Model A Ford about 80 years ago and secondly flying on skiis 40 years ago.
A short distance from the wooden bridge over the flowing water is our Fundy Tidal River. An old roadway along the foot of the North slope covered with a forest of tall trees invites a visit to the riverbank where North and South view is offered, all part of a truly magical experience.
We cannot write about Kniffen Hollow without special reference to Mary Marvin's Panoramic memoir describing Bear River Community life including other residents Kniffen Hollow.
In reference to the 618 page book "A Far Away Place" a quote of the description "No town has ever been so lovingly recreated, supported by a cast of hundreds. Nova Scotia's past and the people in it live again, never to be forgotten.

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