New Glasgow in Pictou County, Nova Scotia — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)
Bell's Corner
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2019
1. Bell's Corner Marker
This area of Downtown New Glasgow was known as Bell's Corner for well over a century. Basil Bell (chemist, teacher and entrepreneur) constructed this architecturally sound stone home and store (to your left) in the mid 1840's. He and his wife would raise four sons and a daughter from this location. Their son Adam Carr Bell, would construct a three story wooden building in the year 1889 and establish an apothecary/pharmacy business on this very site. (See Photo Below) Adam Bell Jr., (Druggist) continued to operate the business at this location until the year 1947 when the building was destroyed by a fire.
The Town of New Glasgow, which was settled in 1784, had an entrepreneurial presence for over 200 years. James Carmichael and George Argo opened a log cabin mercantile store in the year 1809. (The original site is located to your left, across the street and railroad tracks, large two story brick building).
The Town of New Glasgow Thanks Branch 34, Royal Canadian Legion for their support and contribution towards establishing this historic public space.
The Bells Corner interpretative panel and green space are part of the New Glasgow Downtown Revitalization Plan Recreating the Experience.
Unveiled by Mayor Barrie E. MacMillan Town of New Glasgow; Councilor Clyde Fraser, Chair, New Glasgow Heritage
this page online
Historical Research & Graphic Layout Ashton Creative Design, Bridgeville, Pictou County
Erected 2010 by New Glasgow Heritage Committee.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 45° 35.367′ N, 62° 38.667′ W. Marker is in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, in Pictou County. It is at the intersection of North Provost Street (Nova Scotia Route 348) and George Street ( Route 289), on the right when traveling south on North Provost Street. Marker is located beside the sidewalk at the northwest corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Glasgow NS B2H 3K6, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Nova Scotia’s Sunrise Trail. It is also in the Maritimes and in Atlantic Canada. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, and Acadia.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Memorial to Adam Carr Bell 1847-1912 (a few steps from this marker); Viola Desmond (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Glasgow Scotland (about 150 meters away); George Frederick Cameron (about 150 meters away); New Glasgow Heritage (about 180 meters away); Johnny Miles (about 180 meters away); New Glasgow (about 180 meters away); Captain George R. McKenzie (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Glasgow.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Adam Carr Bell
Photographed by David MacIntosh
2. Marker detail: Adam Carr Bell
Town of New Glasgows
First Mayor
Adam Carr Bell (1847-1912)
• Educated in New Glasgow, Sackville Academy and Glasgow University, Scotland
• First Mayor of New Glasgow 1876-1877, Elected again in 1884-1885
• Elected to Nova Scotia House of Assembly in 1878, Provincial Secretary 1882
• Provincial Conservative Party Leader 1882-1887
• Member of Canadian House of Commons 1896 and 1900
• Called to Senate of Canada in 1911
”Adam Carr Bell was 20 at Canadian Confederation (1867), a red blooded man with a vigorous, at time tempestuous nature, which craved action. Politics was the only outlet to him, and politics he seized avidly. By any criterion he was a scrapper. Heavy odds had no terrors for him."
James M. Cameron (D. D. S.), Pictou County Historian, Publisher and Author
Historical Paper Presented to the Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society
December 7, 1979
Also see . . . Squire James Fraser's Place. This Georgian townhouse was built around 1845 by Squire James Fraser and is one of the oldest commercial structures in Nova Scotia. Squire Frasers full name was James Fraser Drummond and in 1825 he opened a general store on George Street. (Submitted on January 22, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. Marker detail: Approximate location of Bell's Corner
This map illustrates the land ownership of several of the town's earliest settlers.
Survey Map 1816
The Pictou Book- Stories of the Past,
George MacLaren, Hector Publishing, 1954
Survey Map 1816
The Pictou Book- Stories of the Past,
George MacLaren, Hector Publishing, 1954
Courtesy Pictou Antigonish Regional Library Digital Collections
4. Marker detail: Original Adam Carr Bell Drug Store Building
Although the original Drug Store building owned by Adam Carr Bell is no longer in existence, Downtown New Glasgow is home to many buildings with historical significance.
Photographed by D.D. Currie Publishing, Moncton, New Brunswick
5. Marker detail: New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, 1889
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2019
6. Bell's Corner Marker (looking southeast across George Street/Provost Street intersection)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2019
7. Bell's Corner Marker (view from George Street/Provost Street intersection marker on right)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2019
8. Squire James Frasers Place, c. 1845
(1/2 block west of marker at 130 George Street)
(1/2 block west of marker at 130 George Street)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,218 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on January 22, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
