Walking Tour of Historical Downtown Amherst


The original Town of Amherst was established in 1764, two miles west of its present location following the Expulsion of the Acadians. New England settlers were invited to settle many communities along the shores of the Bay of Fundy. One of these settlements grew to become The Town of Amherst. A gristmill and tannery were built over a mile to the east of the settlement. The community gradually moved closer to them so that by 1850 Amherst was located where you find it today. By 1880 the railway had been built and it was the political policy of the day to promote Canadian industry. This policy guaranteed a market for products and assisted in the growth of the town. Due to the importance of the railway, Amherst’s first industries were built near the station and some of those buildings are still in use today. Some well known manufacturers were: Amherst Boot and Shoe Company, Christie’s Trunk and Baggage Company, Hewson Woollen Mills, Rhodes Curry Company and Amherst Piano Company. In late 1800’s The Chignecto Ship Railway was started. The goal was to transport ships from the Northumberland Strait to the Bay of Fundy over the Isthmus of Chignecto by rail. The Railway was never completed. Rhodes Curry Ltd. began in 1877 as a construction company, and later began to manufacture both passenger and freight railway cars. At the turn of the century, Rhodes Curry was one of the largest industries in Nova Scotia. In 1908 the manufacturing output of Amherst’s industries was not exceeded by any centre in the Maritime Provinces and the term “Busy Amherst” was well deserved. Many of the fine old buildings along Victoria Street are considered industrial artifacts because they were constructed during a period of tremendous industrial growth. Local contractors employed local craftsmen, who used local materials. Notice the emphasis on sandstone and brick, both locally produced, and the delightful detail that reflects the skilled craftsmanship prevalent in the late 19th century.
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50 Victoria Street - This building, was constructed of local sandstone between 1884 and 1886 by Rhodes Curry Co. The clock was added in 1910. The edifice formally served as the location of the town’s post office and customs office. Thomas Fuller, Dominion Architect, fashioned the building in the Victorian Gothic style. Mr. Fuller is also credited with designing the first House of Parliament and the Parliamentary Library. Note the rich red sandstone exterior and detailed carvings of local artisans. A small knob that designates exactly where sea level is can be found on the front of the building.
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54 Victoria Street - The Court House was constructed in 1888 after fire destroyed the wooden courthouse that formally stood on this site. It was built of local red standstone by Rhodes Curry Co. Features of the courthouse include carved arches with fan shaped detailing over the first floor windows and protruding curved pediments over the second floor windows. Pilasters and square carvings mark the doorway, keeping with the classical styling of the building.
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60 Victoria Street - The Anglican Church was constructed in 1830 and originally stood in West Amherst. In 1846 it was dismantled and moved, brick by brick, to its present site where it was rebuilt. A new chancel (tower) was built in 1877. A unique feature of this church is its crucifix floor plan. back to map
A landmark since 1788, Victoria Square was once known as “Amherst Corners” was but renamed in 1887 in honour of Queen Victoria’s Jubilee. The cenotaph was erected in 1924. The bronze statue is said to be modeled after Captain Curry of the 85th Highland Brigade who was the son of Senator Curry, the donor of the statue. back to map
66 Victoria Street - This church was built in 1846 of red sandstone by Rhodes Curry Co. and designed by architect Harry Mott. Towers and irregular masses categorize this structure’s Queen Anne Revival style. The red granite pillars around the doorways display the handiwork of local craftsmen. Charles Tupper and Samuel McCully served as pastors of the church. back to map
63 Victoria Street - The pharmacy located in Tupper Block was originally owned and operated by Sir Charles Tupper, former Prime Minister of Canada. Formerly known as R.C. Fuller & Co., Pugsley’s Pharmacy is the oldest established business in town. Pugsley’s Pharmacy celebrated its 150th anniversary in 1993, making it among the oldest continuously operating drug stores in Canada.
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79 Victoria Street - Designed by Boston architect John Hall, the Bank of Nova Scotia was built in 1887 of local red sandstone. In 1907 major renovations were carried out by the firm Darling & Pearson. The Amherst Branch of the bank opened in 1871, 18 years before Amherst was incorporated as a town.	Bank of Nova Scotia (right)
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98 Victoria Street - This exquisite replica of a Greek temple was designed by Thomas Fuller and constructed of Wallace greystone by Rhodes Curry Co. The pillars and the two maple leafs and beavers that compliment the building were hand carved by local artisans. A landmark since 1935, the Dominion Public Building once housed the Amherst Post Office and, subsequently, the Canadian Employment and Immigration Centre. back to map
100 Victoria Street - Erected in 1906, this building once housed the Bank of Montreal and, most recently, the Amherst Police Station. This red sandstone edifice boasts a mahogany interior that was supplied and installed by Rhodes Curry Co. The exterior is simple yet eloquent with its Roman arched windows that face east.	Old Police Station (center), First Baptist Church (left)
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91 Victoria Street - This Victorian landmark was erected in 1887 of Amherst red sandstone by Rhodes Curry Co. Once the home of the Town’s butcher shop, the building was originally owned by James Donald. Moss Jewellers was founded in 1881 by George L. Moss. In 1903 Moss relocated the store to its present location from where the Royal Bank of Canada now stands. Note the round stone arches above the window featuring a beautifully crafted fan fashion design. back to map
103 Victoria Street - The Royal Bank was built in 1906 of local sandstone. The window detail of the original building is an architectural device that dates back to the Renaissance. There are arched windows on the bottom, peaked windows on the second storey, and rectangular windows on the third floor with Corinthian pillars in between. back to map
129 Victoria Street - With the claim as the oldest department store in Amherst, Margolians (renamed Dayles Department Store in 2004) began in 1906 as “The Two Barkers”. Clothes, furniture, agricultural supplies, hardware and more could be found under one roof. The four-storey brick building boasts 75,000 square feet of floor space and still bears the Barker name on the front of the store. back to map
Centennial Sun Dial - The sundial commemorated the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of the Town of Amherst. The pedestal is built of three pieces of Vermont granite and the face of naval brass. In the middle is a 12-inch square column that houses a time capsule containing mementos of the Centennial Year Celebrations. Look to the pedestal beside the dial for instructions on interpreting the dial. back to map
21 Acadia Street - The original Amherst High School stood on these grounds until 1892. A new school was built but then replaced by the present structure. The library name honours Robert Barry Dickey, Jonathan McCully, Edward Barron Chandler, and Sir Charles Tupper – all of whom were Father’s of Confederation and hailed from the Amherst area. Tupper was Canada’s 6th Prime Minister. back to map
1 Ratchford Street - This church was built in 1906 to replace Trinity Methodist Church, erected in 1876, which had become too small to accommodate its growing congregation. The stained glass window to the right of the choir loft in the church sanctuary was salvaged from the Methodist Church and is known as Black’s Widow in memory of Reverend William Black (1760-1834). back to map
Station Street - Declared a historical property on February 26, 1993, the train station officially opened for business on August 31, 1908. Known as the Inter Colonial Railway Station, it was made of Amherst red sandstone. The station has undergone many renovations: new metal doors were installed in 1992, the south wing was removed in 1975, and the stone around the bottom of the station’s exterior was replaced in 1991 with stone from the Catholic Church once located on Prince Arthur St. Via Rail, a crown corporation took over ownership on April 1, 1978.
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6 Church Street - Bob’s Barber Shop has seen little change since the turn of the century. A colourful barber pole adorns the outside of the building. Keeping with the early 19th century theme, there are shelves of shaving mugs encased in an antique cabinet, along with the old-fashioned chairs and furnishings. Formed metal walls and ceilings compliment the interior. back to map
Downtown Amherst Revitalization Society 35 Church Street Amherst, Nova Scotia Canada B4H 4A1 Phone: (902) 667-3638 Fax: (902) 667-2270 Email: cerc@creda.net A Special Thank You to Our Sponsors: Downtown Amherst Revitalization Society Town of Amherst and the Cumberland County Museum (for archive photos) DARS Home \| Amherst Mural Project \| Historical Walking Tour \| Great Amherst Mystery \| Heritage Homes © 2003 CREDA. All rights reserved.