McNab's Island at last ...

Just off the shore from Eastern Passage and a short 20 minute boat ride from downtown Halifax,  lie Lawlor's and McNab's Islands. 

McNab's is lousy with history extending back to its purchase in 1782 by Peter McNab.  On it,  are two forts, pioneer homes, a beach where executed sailors were hung in gibets, and the McNab family cemetary. Nothing remains of the fair grounds where turn of the century Halegonians came to spend a fun afternoon.  Nor could I find any sign of the soda pop factory that once was there.  No outward signs remain of the poor folk who were interred in two remote locations after succumbing to Cholora in 1866.

Lawlor's Island was home to a quarantine station.  It is a sad sign of the times that there were in fact three buildings for 1st, 2nd and 3rd class passengers since those being quarentined had arrived by ship. 

During her vitis my cousin Carol and I took the McNab's Island Ferry from Fisherman's Cove to Wreck Cove on McNab's and arranged to be picked up at the same location five hours later.

 It was a weekend and a delightfully sunny day and yet surprisingly we only encountered for or five other visitors while there.  Typically of Nova Scotia this treasure lying on the doorstep of a major city is little known or appreciated.

 

The island is large and not well signed. Oh heck, there are no signs. Apparently there were road signs once but they were stolen. There are maps but without signs it's easy to get off  track and so while Carol and I thought we were on one path heading one way we ended up in a completely different location.  We'd stumbled across Fort Ives (above) which, sadly, is in a state of disrepair.  

The paths on the island were wide and scenic and we always ended up somewhere interesting which made it hard to get too frustrated about being constantly "lost". 

Among the many houses that remain is Conrad House - the home of Gladys Conrad, the last permanent resident of McNab's Island

 

This small building had a roof thick with moss and and one crumbling wall.  I don't know what the building was and I am determined on my next visit to orient myself better and find out.

The wreck of an old bardge can be found on the shore at the north end of the island.  In the distance you can glimpse downtown halifax.

I can't wait to go back and explore McNab's again.