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History of Westville’s Water System
In 1894, the first Town Council of Westville met and the first problem of the new municipality was a water supply. The Council took swift action and work on a water system began immediately. Here is a history of the Westville water system as reported in The Evening News of November 13, 1970.
From the first days of the town, a water system was considered and on December 5, 1894, engineer C.E. Pickett was engaged at 1 ¼ percent of the estimated cost of $55,000 to survey the town for the water system.
On March 8, 1895, it was decided to advertise for debentures under the authority of the Nova Scotia Legislature for the cost of the water system.
Unsold debentures were bought by the mayor at 95 percent.
In April, tenders were opened on the 28th for water works construction and included one from M. Donato and M. Donato, MacKinnon and MacLean, also from John McIntosh, Stellarton, and William Sutherland, Hantsport, for whole contracts and a number of tenders for individual contracts on castings, hydrants, boiler, reservoir, trenching, pumping engines, pipe, valves and boxes.
Accept Bid
The first one from M. Donato and M. Donato, MacKinnon and MacLean was accepted, as follows: trenching, $7,843.55; hydrants, $172.50; construction of engine house, boiler house and chimney, $3,000; construction of intake chamber, $250; laying of 12-inch tile pipe, $187.50; and foundation and setting of boiler, $300.
A tender from Robb Engineering Co. for a Monarch boiler was accepted at $988.
On June 19 it was decided to lay pipe line cutoffs from Main St. along college St. to Duff St., from Black Diamond St. , southeast along College St. to Oliver St. and four-inch branch pipe line along Acadia Ave. by Councilor Chalnek’s residence. The clerk was instructed to enquire how many on Elmwood St. required water service. It was noted that Mr. Craig was still violating the bylaw by trucking water without a license. Some senior citizens remember hearing about the selling of water for a cent or so a bucket.
Order Pipe
On August 16, 1895, the council decided to order 1 ½ tons of pipe and Alex Munro was hired for trenching at 8¢ a lineal foot, filling in the trench afterward as well. Reports were heard from Mr. Brown the engineer that pipes were not being laid the required four feet six inches deep.
It is not clear how many fire hydrants were installed altogether but at one point reference was made to a freight bill of $2.16 for 14 hydrants. Chairman of the street committee, Councilor Chalnek referred to many calls about dangerous places in the street and being unable to consult with colleagues about remedies, council agreed these could be attended to by any one member of the committee.
Tender Repairs
On September 16 a tender was accepted from Joseph R. Crockett to do repairs to Union St. near the Black Diamond Pond and a bill from him for hauling the pumping engine to the station at Middle River for $38.25 and $4.25 for a rope was ordered paid, rope to be returned to the town.
In October it was agreed to lay a six inch pipe along Cowan St. at the request of residents.
In January a statement was received from Messrs. MacDonald and Co. Water Works Contractors for $19,979.01 less $100 for leaks and repairs, $19,879.01 less $17,591.85 already paid, a balance of $2,287.16.
Water rates were drawn up as follows: baths $2; water closets self-acting $2; taps $1 each; wash tubs, $2; stores one tap, $6; stables one hors, one cow $4; blacksmith shop, two fires, $6 and additional chairs extra; photographers, $10; steam engines, boilers 10 h.p., $15 and additional h.p. $1; boarding, feed stables, five stalls, $6 and each additional $1 each; churches $5, schools, $5; hotels, $40; and restaurants and saloons had special rates.
There was to be a family rate of $8. The minimum rate was $5 and was later changed to $6 for a family, payable monthly and each additional person over 14 years of age 10 cents per month, under 14 years 5 cents per month; horse 20 cents per month; hose for garden purposes 20 cents per month; and a car 10 cents per month. I have been told by senior citizens that the streets were so muddy at time the horses were up to their bellies in mud on the main street so I don’t quite understand anyone having a car.
MacLeod's block in the 1940's
| Mayors of the Town of Westville | |
| George E. Munro | 1894-97, 1914-15, 1932-34 |
| Donald Hayman | 1898 |
| Robert A. MacDonald | 1899-1900 |
| Struan G. Robertson | 1901-1902 |
| John W. Murray | 1903-1905 |
| Michael Muir Sr. | 1906 |
| R.H. MacKay | 1907 |
| Tom Hale | 1908 |
| Dr. J.C. MacDonald | 1909 |
| Murdoch McLeod | 1910-1911 |
| Alex W. McLeod | 1912-1913 |
| H.A. McQuarrie | 1916-1917 |
| James Saunders | 1918-19, 1925-26, 1934-38, 1942-44 |
| Robert MacDonald | 1920-21 |
| Hugh Muir | 1921-24 |
| Dr. S.G. MacKenzie | 1926-27 |
| P.A. Doyle | 1927-32 |
| Chester MacKenzie | 1940-42 |
| J.A. MacGregor | 1938-40, 1944-50 |
| James Beckwith | 1951 |
| Col. C.D. Sampson | 1952-53 |
| J. Robert MacKenzie | 1954-55 |
| Alfred L. Matheson | 1956-63 |
| Walter Duggan | 1964- |
| Town Clerks | |
| Alex W. MacBean | 1894-1920 |
| Thomas W. Murray | 1920-1946 |
| E. Lydia Murray | 1946-1951 |
| John Allie MacGregor | 1951-1956 |
| Lauchie Johnson | 1956-1968 |
| Annie L. Ross | 1968-1973 |
| Dan R. English | 1973 |
| Clyde A. Purvis | 1973-1985 |
Daniel Robert Robertson, the
first to be born in Westville in 1867.
Photograph taken at the turn of the century.
First Baby Born in Westville
The first baby born in Westville was born on April 8, 1867, to William and Annabelle (MacLennan) Robertson and was christened Daniel Robert Robertson.
Daniel married and had three sons and two daughters: Hugh and Charlotte were twins – Hugh is deceased and Charlotte resides in Concord, Massachusetts; John L. now resides in Lyons Brook; Alex was killed in World War I; Annie resides in Concord, New Hampshire.
At an early age Daniel moved to Stillman (now Saltsprings) and was a harness-maker by trade. He moved to the United States for a time and then returned to Saltsprings where he died in 1942.
Dr. Herb B. Whitman curling on
Acadia Pond
Sleigh Rides
Prior to the ‘40s, some roads were not plowed to permit motor vehicle traffic, thus they remained snow-covered. Sleigh rides were very popular and sponsored by church groups, lodges and other groups.
The sleighs were equipped then, much the same as they are today. One double bobsled would accommodate 18 adult riders and driver. Enough teams and rigs were hired from in and just outside town to accommodate the expected number of people.
All drivers had a pre-arranged destination where a hall was rented for a social evening and lunch, usually lasting until midnight.
Favorite destinations were Hopewell, Trenton, and MacPherson’s. For comparison, the drive to Hopewell was at least 14 miles, round trip.
Temperatures during some trips have been recorded as low as -32ºF.
The trips were good and fun and one of the social highlights of a long cold winter. One story as related by a local resident, who held sleigh rides in the ‘20s and ‘30s, tells of a church outing. A young minister was on a drive with a church group. Regardless of cold, he always wore a felt hat and traveled from sleigh to sleigh creating fun. A young woman sneaked behind him and, picking up the hat off his head, tossed it out into the snow. After he retrieved his hat, he chased her and, when he caught her, promptly picked her up and deposited her head first into the deep snow. She is a well-respected senior citizen in Westville today.
Sleigh rides today are a unique experience for most people who enjoy them, but can never be compared to the drives as they were in the 1940s and earlier.
Doctors Who Practiced in Westville
Following is a list of some of the doctors who served during the early years of the town.
Doctors: Linten, Ross,
Sutherland, MacDonald (Clyde, Robert, and Fred),
Bruce, Irwin, MacKenzie, MacLean,
Bagnall, and MacMillan
Dr. H.B. Whitman brought honor to the town, being elected president of the Maritime Medical Association. He came to Westville in 1932 and practiced for over 50 years. In 1952, Dr. J. Henry Fraser became his assistant, retiring in 1985.