Historic Walking Tour : Downtown Halifax

Citadel Hill is Halifax’s most well known National Historic Site. It is the highest point in Halifax overlooking the waterfront from above. “Every day, the Citadel comes to life with the sounds and color of its military interpreters, the 78th Highlanders and the Royal Artillery. Dressed in the same uniforms that their respective regiments wore in the mid-1800s, the 78th Highlanders guard the Citadel’s entrance and conduct marching and band drills on the parade grounds.” (NovaScotia, 2024). Once a critical defense fortification for the city, the Citadel now serves as a place for picnics, fireworks, events, concerts, and exploration of the historic site that once protected Halifax.

Stop 2: Grand Parade Square Halifax (1841 Argyle St. Halifax, NS)

Downhill from the Citadel Hill and towards the waterfront reaches the Grand Parade Square. This square dates back to 1749 when Halifax was first Settled by the British. “The plan stipulated a church at the southern end of the square, and a courthouse and prison at the northern end” (ParksCanada, ND).

Starting at the southern end of the square lies the oldest building in Halifax, St Paul's Church. “This beautiful Church was created in Palladian Architecture, this uses an ancient Greek and Roman style. This church takes after St Peters church in London England and it is the First protestant church in Canada.  

Towards the middle of the square lies the Cenotaph: The Cenotaph was created in the middle of the square as a war memorial paying respects to lost soldiers who lost their lives in WW1, WW11, and the Korean War. The Fallen Peace Officers Memorial is also located within the middle of the square recognizing the Chief of Police, RCMP, Military Police, and other law enforcement individuals who have passed while in the line of duty.


Within the Northern end of the square lies what once was the courthouse and prison within Halifax. When settlers first arrived in Halifax this building was used as the central gathering place, until it was soon turned into Dalhousie University in 1824. This school's location later caused some tensions with religious people within the community, and other Nova Scotian schools, so Dalhousie University changed locations to Robie and Lemarchant street, where it stands today. The city decided to change what once was Dalhousie university into the City Hall, and it still stands today. 

Stop 4: Province House (1726 Hollis St, Halifax)

Just to the right of Joseph Howe’s statue stands Province House, a historic and architecturally significant building that serves as the heart of Nova Scotia's government. As the oldest legislative building in Canada, Province House has witnessed many pivotal moments in the province's history since its completion in 1819.

Inside Province House, several key areas offer a glimpse into Nova Scotia's political past and present:

  • Legislative Library: This space once hosted famous trials. The room that now houses the library was originally designed as a courtroom, complete with a spectator area and judges' bench. Today, the benches have been replaced by library desks and shelves filled with books, yet the space still retains an air of its former importance.

  • Legislative Assembly Chamber: This grand chamber is where Nova Scotia’s Legislature meets each year to debate and pass laws. The room is steeped in tradition, with members gathering here to shape the future of the province, just as they have for over two centuries.

  • Red Chamber: Once a venue for grand events, receptions, and even balls, the Red Chamber now serves as a reminder of the building's vibrant social history. While it no longer hosts such festivities, its opulent decor and rich history make it a fascinating part of any visit.

  • Exhibit Room: This room offers a comprehensive exhibit on the evolution of Nova Scotia’s government. Visitors can explore how the political landscape has changed over the years and learn about the leaders who played significant roles in shaping the province's history. Through interactive displays and historical artifacts, the exhibit provides a deep dive into the workings of government and the legacy of key figures like Joseph Howe.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Province_House_%28Nova_Scotia%29

Stop 3) Joseph Howe Statue - 1690 Hollis St, Halifax,

Within the Province House by the waterfront there is a carved out garden area that holds the statue of Joseph Howe. Joseph had many roles throughout his life. He was a journalist, premier, and politician. He is well known throughout Nova Scotian history for his opinion to reject the idea of confederation. He thought that Canada being a unified nation would hurt Nova Scotia's economy and identity. Once Canada was formed he joined the federal government and advocated for Nova Scotia until he passed in 1873.

Stop 5: First Bank of Nova Scotia - Now known as Scotiabank

The first bank of Nova Scotia was located on Hollis Street. This consisted first of tellers, a cashier, and one messenger. This bank eventually expanded to P.E.I and St John New Brunswick, and then onto Manitoba, Winnipeg, and the US. Now this Canadian architecture hosts Atlantic Canada's regional office, because it was no longer big enough to be the main bank for Canada. Now Scotiabank is an International name.

Statue of Lebanese Immigrant (1599 Lower Water St, Halifax, NS)

This statue was made to commemorate the large Lebanese community that immigrated to Canada, some made their way over in the late 1800s without knowledge of what they would find in Nova Scotia when they arrived. They traveled to new land and established a presence here in Canada while facing cultural and language barriers to create growth in generations today. Escaping the Lebanese Civil war in 1973, Canada saw the largest influx of Lebanese immigration to date. It is estimated that 250 000 people of Lebanese origin live in Canada and they make up the largest community of Arabic speakers. And let’s not forget how they cemented themselves here in Halifax by creating (debatably) the most Haligonian food their is: the donair.

https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=139674

Stop 6: Cows Ice Creamery (1751 Lower Water St, Halifax)

To end off this tour we are are going to bring you into a more modern history because if you’re this close to the waterfront you can’t skip a stop at Cows Ice Cream. Cows was first created in Prince Edward Island in 1983, and so was Sam just a few short years later, and was name Canada’s Best Ice Cream, as well as claiming Tauk World Discoveries top spot for Top Ten Ice Cream Places for Ice Cream in the World! All of their ice cream is made in PEI with Island dairy but can now be found in many cities coast to coast across Canada. There are over 32 flavors produced in Charlottetown today, and we recommend ending off a day of exploring the history of Halifax with this famous sweet treat. So don’t skip a cone, they are mooverlous!

Sources For Research:

Grand Parade in Halifax, Canada. GPSmyCity. (n.d.). https://www.gpsmycity.com/attractions/grand-parade-44950.html 

Grand Parade. (n.d.). https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=3146

Halifax Citadel National Historic Site: Tourism Nova Scotia, Canada. Tourism Nova Scotia. (n.d.). https://www.novascotia.com/see-do/attractions/halifax-citadel-national-historic-site/1440 

Nagelsb. (2020, October 22). Province House: A self-guided virtual tour. Nova Scotia Legislature. https://nslegislature.ca/get-involved/visit-province-house/virtual-tour 

The scotiabank story. Scotiabank Global Site. (n.d.). https://www.scotiabank.com/ca/en/about/our-company/archives/our-exhibits/the-scotiabank-story.html 


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