OF EASTERN CANADA Fishing, Boats Riding at Anchor on the Coast of Cape Breton Island, Their Bows Pointed Into the Incoming Tide of the Broad Atlantic Ocean
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OF EASTERN CANADA Fishing, boats riding at anchor on the coast of Cape Breton Island, their bows pointed into the incoming tide of the broad Atlantic Ocean PLAYGROUNDS OF EASTERN CANADA CAPE BRETON HIGHLANDS. FUNDY, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, ST. LAW RENCE ISLANDS, GEORGIAN BAY ISLANDS. POINT PELEE NATIONAL PARKS. AND THE NATIONAL HISTORIC PARKS IN EASTERN CANADA. HE GROWTH of Canada's system of National divisions — the large scenic and recreational TParks during the past half century has been parks in the mountains of Alberta and British remarkable. It is a little more than 65 years Columbia; the scenic, recreational and wild since tlte first small reservation of ten square animal parks of the Prairie Provinces, and the miles was made in 1885, to establish as a pub parks in Eastern Canada, which fall within lic possession the hot mineral springs in the scenic, recreational, and historic classes. Canadian Rockies at Banff. From this small beginning has grown the present great chain In these pages will be found descriptions of of national playgrounds, 28 in number, which the National Parks in the third group—areas extends from the Atlantic Ocean on the east which lie within the Provinces of Nova Scotia, to the Selkirk Mountains in British Columbia New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Que on the west. bec, and Ontario. Embracing outstanding examples of rugged but picturesque coastline, Established as outstanding examples of the remarkable salt and fresh-water beaches, de region in which they are situated, the National lightful lake-shore and island areas, these Parks fulfil a fourfold purpose. They are con parks also include places around which serving the primitive beauty of the landscape, occurred important events in the history of maintaining the native wildlife of the country Canada. under natural conditions, preserving sites memorable in the nation's history, and serving In view of space limitations, the information as recreational areas. Their value in the last provided in this booklet is necessarily of a category becomes more apparent each year, limited nature. Additional information con for they provide in ideal surroundings, un cerning any of these parks may be obtained equalled opportunities for outdoor life. on application to the Park Superintendents, For purposes of description, Canada's or from the Canadian Government Travel National Parks may be grouped in three main Bureau, Ottawa, Canada. Front Cover Photo-Park Headquarters, Fundy National Park, New Brunswick. Published under the authority of THE HONOURABLE ROBERT H. WINTERS Minister of Resources and Development The Cabot Trail near Cap Rouge CAPE BRETON HIGHLANDS NATIONAL PARK NOVA SCOTIA MONG THE OUTSTANDING scenic regions of unique as its setting. The date of its original A Canada, the Island of Cape Breton pre discovery remains in doubt, although his sents attractions that are unique in North torians relate that Norsemen cruised its shores America. Separated from the mainland of in the 10th century. John and Sebastian Cabot, Nova Scotia lay the deep and narrow Strait of who discovered the mainland of North Canso, it seems set apart from the continent in America in June, 1497, are believed to have the environment it offers to the visitor. The landed on the east coast of Cape Breton coastline, rugged and picturesque, is broken Island, since indicated on an early map as by the deep bays and inlets, and is provided "prima tierra vista". The memory of these with numerous fine harbours which afford pioneer explorers is perpetuated in the Cabot shelter for small ocean craft. Rising almost Trail, a spectacular highway which girdles from the water's edge are rolling hills and the northern part of the island. mountains, well forested, which sweep back, Later its coasts were sailed by Verrazano in particularly in the north and west, to form a 1524, and the hardy Breton, Jacques Cartier, broad plateau. sighted its northern capes on his return jour Between the hills lie green valleys or peace ney of 1535-36. The fisheries of nearby waters ful glens, drained by sparkling brooks and attracted English, French, Spanish, and streams, many of which abound in salmon or Portuguese, with resulting settlements at such trout. Almost dividing the island in two is the points as English Harbour, later known as extensive and lovely inland sea known as the Louisbourg; St. Ann's, St. Peter's, Baie Bras d'Or Lakes. The name is a French trans d'Espagnols, now Sydney; and Niganis or lation of "arm of gold", presumably after the Ninganich, now called Ingonish. It is gener remarkable sunsets of the region. Throughout ally supposed that Basque or Breton fishermen the island are heard the native tongues of its gave the name "Cape Breton" to the eastern earliest inhabitants—Scottish, French, Irish, promontory, and later it was applied to the and English—handed down from generation to entire island. generation. From the sea are ever-changing panoramas of hillside, cliff, bay, and valley: from the land, equally beautiful vistas of Natural Features sandy cove, rocky cape, and jagged tide-worn Cape Breton Highlands National Park rocks, against the blue background of the stretches across the northern part of the island Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of St. Lawrence. from the Atlantic to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and contains an area of about 390 square miles. Early History Along the western shores steep hills rise almost Extending far into the Atlantic, Cape Breton precipitately from the Gulf to a height of Island occupies a place in Canadian history as 1,500 feet. The upper slopes are forest-clad. Page 1 Sword-fishing Boats in South Ingonish Harbour and to their rugged sides clings the Cabot times large herds of caribou roamed the bar Trail. The eastern shores are also rocky, but rens and high plateaus of the interior, but, with more numerous coves at the mouths of along with moose, were exterminated by indis valleys that recede to the highlands, forming criminate hunting. Moose from Elk Island the interior of the park. In the soft roll of hill National Park have been released in the park and vale the scenery is reminiscent of the in an effort to restore this lordly animal. Highlands of Scotland, and, mounted against White-tailed deer are numerous, and in the the ever-changing background of the ocean, it autumn are often seen along the park high has a solitary grandeur peculiar to itself. ways. Black bear, wild cat, red fox, snowshoe In the vicinity of the park, but outside its rabbit, otter, muskrat, weasel, and mink are boundaries, are a number of little fishing also native to the region. A colony of beaver villages, inhabited mainly by families of High transplanted to the park has settled down in land Scottish, Irish, or Acadian ancestry. For their new environment and spread to many generations these people have won their sub lakes and streams in the park. Bald and golden stance from the sea or from small farming eagles build their eyries on the high summits, operations carried on in the vicinity. To a grouse and a variety of smaller birds enliven great extent they have retained their native the forests, and numerous species of waterfowl languages and a rare skill in handicrafts, are found on the adjacent waters. including the art of rug-hooking and weaving Except for the high interior barrens, which from native wool carded and spun on ancient support only shrubs and moss, the park is wheels. One of the principal settlements on the clothed with mixed forests. Spruce, balsam, fir, Gulf of St. Lawrence is Cheticamp, first settled birch, maple, and beech predominate, although about 1775 by Acadians from Prince Edward pine, hemlock, oak, and poplar are also Island. Farther north is Pleasant Bay, and on found. Shrubs and small fruits, including the Atlantic Coast, Cape North, Dingwall, cherries, raspberries, gooseberries, and blue Neil Harbour and Ingonish, inhabited by berries abound, and apple trees, once tame many of Scottish or Irish origin. These fisher- but now growing wild, are common along the villages provide a fertile field for artists and roads. When the foliage takes on its autumnal photographers, and lend an atmosphere both colours, the diffused shades of green, gold, quaint and refreshing. crimson and russet combine to provide a mag nificent spectacle. Wildlife The park is a wildlife sanctuary, and under How to Reach the Park the watchful care of the warden service, wild Cape Breton Island may be approached animal and bird life is increasing. In earlier from the mainland of Nova Scotia by Provin- Page 2 Cape Smoky from Freshwater Lake at Ingonish Beach cial Highway No. 4, a paved route, or by and the Bras d'Or Airways provide an air railway. The crossing of the Strait of Canso service from Sydney to all principal points on between Mulgrave and Port Hawkesbury is Cape Breton Island. made by a modern ferry which operates sev eral times daily. From Port Hawkesbury the Park Headquarters visitor has a choice of routes to the park. The The administrative headquarters of the park western route is the most direct. It follows are located at Ingonish Beach, on the Atlantic Highway No. 19 along the Gulf of St. Law Coast just inside the southeast boundary. To rence to Margaree Forks, where connection is the south, in the shadow of Cape Smoky, lies made with the Cabot Trail. Continuing north Ingonish Harbour, one of the finest anchorages ward, the park is entered at a point about four on the eastern coast, frequented by many miles north of Cheticamp, 105 miles from Port types of deep-sea craft. North of the harbour, Hawkesbury.