Here We Began
A Marker of Distinction
Just inland from this place, Chebucto Landing, 2,576 first permanent settlers of Halifax came ashore from thirteen small ships in June 1749. Here, you are at the shore of one of the great natural harbours of the world, the focus of Halifax's existence.
Look to port (left), to container piers; the Canadian Immigration Heritage Centre at Pier 21, where close to a million immigrants, refugees, war brides and children began their lives in Canada, and almost half-a-million Canadian troops departed for World War II and, when spared, returned; the cruise ship pavilion, Tall Ships quay, and waterfront boardwalk; the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic; historic George's Island fortifications, and dynamic Dartmouth across the harbour.
Look to starboard (right), to the Law Courts; Canada's East Coast Navy ships and headquarters; Halifax Shipyards; the location, between the two bridges, of the devastating harbour Explosion of December 6, 1917, the most violent man-made explosion before the atomic bomb; more container piers, and Bedford Basin, where convoys assembled in two world wars to carry personnel and material from the New World to redress the imbalances of the Old.
Erected by The Halifax Foundation and Halifax Regional Municipality.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:
this page online
Location. 44° 38.964′ N, 63° 34.295′ W. Marker is in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in Halifax Region. Marker is at the intersection of George Street and the Waterfront, in the median on George Street. Marker is adjacent to the Dockyard Clock. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5075 George Street, Halifax NS B3J 1M3, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Dockyard Clock / L'horloge de L'arsenal (here, next to this marker); Halifax’s Cable Wharf (within shouting distance of this marker); Celtic Cross (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Halifax Waterfront Buildings (about 150 meters away); Enos Collins (about 180 meters away); The Mitchell House (about 180 meters away); Province House (about 180 meters away); South African War Monument (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Halifax.
Also see . . .
1. Halifax. (Submitted on January 22, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Port of Halifax History.
3. Halifax Explosion History. (Submitted on January 22, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. Halifax Municipal Archives. (Submitted on January 22, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 228 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 22, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
