Page:Tourist's Maritime Provinces.djvu/242

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196
THE TOURIST'S MARITIME PROVINCES

an industrial centre. From this point a drive may be taken into New Brunswick to the ruins of Fort Cumberland. Until the New Englanders under Lieutenant-Colonel Monckton captured it from the French in 1755, it was called Fort Beauséjour. (See under Grand Pré historical notes, Chapter V.) Originally there were five bastions, armed by thirty guns and guarded by 800 soldiers. The outlines of the fort are still visible. On another bank of the Missequash, which defines the boundary between the two provinces, the English built Fort Lawrence to defend their claims to Acadia. From this stronghold at the head of Cumberland Basin, the ruins of which have now disappeared, the assailants, of Fort Beauséjour made their attack. This engagement had a decisive effect upon the final cession of their Canadian claims by the French.

Tidnish, on Northumberland Strait, is a favourite beach resort, 17 miles from Amherst.

Through a mining, fishing and hunting country the Intercolonial continues to Springhill Junction (Cumberland Railway to Parrsboro, 32 miles ).[1] At Oxford Junction a line diverges that gives connection with Pugwash Harbour, Wallace, and Tatamagouche, all in a district known for its sporting facilities and affluent farms. Pictou may be reached from Oxford Junction, but the route usually taken is via Stellarton, east of Truro.

The road, Oxford Junction—Truro, rises to a height of over 600 feet at Folleigh Lake, a pretty expanse of water situated among the Cobequid hills. Londonderry is the station for iron mines whose ore is of exceptionally high grade. Truro, at the junction of the main Intercolonial line and the line to the north, is 17 miles beyond Londonderry.

Truro—Stellarton (Pictou)—Antigonish—Guysboro—Mulgrave—Canso—Arichat.

The "sights" of Truro may be compassed in half a day. They include the natural forest park

  1. The Cumberland Coal Field has an estimated area of 300 square miles.