Caledonia, Nova Scotia


Caledonia is a community located in northern Region of Queens Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada, along Trunk 8. Caledonia is the major community in the area known as North Queens, which has a radius of approximately 30 kilometers and a population of approximately 1500.

Geography

Caledonia is north of Liverpool along Highway 8. further north of Caledonia, in Maitland Bridge, is the main entrance to Kejimkujik National Park.

History

The original inhabitants of the Caledonia area are the Mi'kmaq people. Before the arrival of European settlers, the Mi'kmaq who lived here used the area as hunting grounds due to its reported abundance of wildlife. The Mi'kmaq established favorable relationships with the settlers once they arrived.
The original settlers of Caledonia were six Scots and an Irishman, who settled on the seven hills in greater Caledonia. Caledonia was the Latin name given by the Romans to the area of modern-day Scotland, and with Nova Scotia translating as 'New Scotland', also from Latin, the names in the area obviously reflect this heritage.
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the Mi'kmaq often found employment serving as guides for visitors to the area who were seeking to go on wilderness expeditions. One notable Mi'kmaq guide in the area was Joseph Gloade, who guided some of the earliest Europeans in the area on hunting trips beginning in the late 18th century.

Early settlers

Caledonia was established in 1820 by a group of eight settlers, composed of seven Scotsmen and one Irishman, who laid the foundation for this Nova Scotian community through their pioneering efforts in agriculture and forestry.
;Alexander Spears
;Andrew McLeod
;Edward Hayes
;Allan MacLean
;Richard Telfer
;John Douglas
;George Middlemas
;David Middlemas
These settlers forged a community in a landscape of virgin forests, establishing large farms and a closely-knit community that has maintained its rural charm and heritage to this day.
In 1884, Caledonia served as the hub for the gold rush in the nearby communities of Whiteburne and North Brookfield.
The N.F. Douglas lumber mill in Caledonia was one of the area's main employers until its closure in 2014. Other industries include forestry, farming, a blueberry processing operation, and Kejimkujik National Park. Caledonia has a range of shops and services including; grocery, pharmacy, hardware store, post office, cafe/restaurants, medical centre, outdoor swimming pool and a Nova Scotia Liquor Commission outlet.
North Queens Community School, operated by South Shore Regional School Board, provides education from grades primary to twelve.
Each September, Caledonia plays host to the Queens County Fair, which includes a parade and one of the oldest agricultural exhibitions in Nova Scotia.
Caledonia was formerly the end of a Canadian National Railway branch line. The line was long ago abandoned but has recently been refurbished as part of a rails-to-trails program by the Brookfield Mines Trails Association, creating a multi-use path from Caledonia to Colpton. The 18 km stretch of trail has signage, gates, and benches.

Prominent figures

Caledonia has been shaped by numerous influential individuals known for their significant contributions to the community's development and cultural heritage. Below are ten prominent figures who have left a lasting impact on Caledonia, Nova Scotia, along with the approximate eras during which they were most active.
;John Douglas
;Arnold Patterson
;Milton Douglas
;George Wile
;Basil Huskins
;Oran Veinot
;Jonathan Kempton
;George Rafuse
;Edward Hayes
;Alexander Spears
These individuals represent a fraction of those who have contributed to making Caledonia a vibrant and enduring community in Nova Scotia. Their stories are preserved in the local historical records and continue to inspire current and future generations.

Communications

Demographics

  • Total Dwellings – 400
  • Total Land Area – 184.235 km2