Welcome to New Ross, NS, Canada

As you begin your drive north along Highway 12 from Chester Basin, picture four soldiers carrying a piano from Chester Basin to New Ross in 1817, before any real roads existed. Or imagine the ox driven wagons of the 1800’s hauling loads of lumber or barrels from New Ross, on a two day plus journey over rough terrain, and swampy hollows and bogs, to get to the market. One of the true stories of the area, in the early 1900s, is of some New Ross men going through the Seffernsville swamp one day on their way to market, and they saw a man’s hat floating’ around on top of the mud; poking’ around with some poles, they found buried in the mud, the body of a man, two horses, and a wagon-load of oat straw.

The old Lakeside Hotel was once located in the center of New Ross at the Charing Cross. It is said to be built by George Turner in the 1850-1870 period. It was then bought by Edward Boylan between 1871 and 1881. Around 1930, Frank Boylan closed the store in the background and relocated it into the Hotel building. It was bought by John and Pat Larder and became known as the Larder Brother store. It later became known as Pat Larder's Store until it burned down in the fire of 1966.

Another interesting true story of the Seffernsville area is what is called the twin rocks, which is where a New Ross lady, after walking to Chester for supplies, gave birth to twins on her way home, with only herself and a lady friend, and then continued home with quite a surprise for her family.

Seffernsville was a German settlement in those days and was a stopping place for teamsters and their oxen to stop for the night or for a meal. One of the original buildings, the Coach House, may still be seen at 3011 Highway 12 (14.5 km in on Hwy 12).

Also on this drive, enjoy the experimental (15.5 km) and family Christmas tree farms, which is one of the major exports of this region, as it is known as the Balsam Fir Xmas Tree Capital of the World. Along the way you will also see several lumber mills, which is another major export for this area.

Of the early settlers of New Ross, either disbanded soldiers, or those who came shortly after, here are the family names that still exist in the area: Baker, Boylan, Broome, Brown, Burgoyne, Elliot, Gates, Hiltz, Keddy, Lantz, Larder, Leopold, Meister, Murphy, Russell, Seffern, Skerry, Turner and Walker.

As you enter New Ross, you will cross Rosebank Bridge, spanning the Gold River. This river empties into the Atlantic ocean just past Chester Basin on Highway 3 and continues through the New Ross area into Kings County. It is the water depository for the many lakes and rivers in this area. It was known for its gold deposits in the latter part of the 1800’s, and was also used for transporting lumber during that time period. It is still one of the main salmon breeding runs for Nova Scotia. About a kilometer past the bridge, you will come to The Larder Home (4541 Highway 12), built in 1885 and designated as a historical property. Across the road from The Larder Home, experience true rural history at the Ross Farm Museum of Living Agriculture, where a visit will take you back in time to the mid-1800’s on a family farm. January, 1956 is believed to have been the last time that "Elliot's Flat" was flooded to the extent that all vehicles, including trucks were re-routed "around the lake"!

In 1816, William Ross, an army captain, and his wife Mary, arrived with 172 disbanded soldiers to settle in New Ross. Today the farm site is a living history museum. Costumed heritage interpreters bring life to this 19th-century settlement. The 60-acre site includes an 1830’s vintage store, the Ross farmhouse (circa 1817), barns (circa 1885) and workshop, a village school, a blacksmith’s shop and a cooper’s shop. Ride a horse-drawn wagon and see demonstrations of spinning, flax processing and woodworking. You can enjoy one of the walking trails or check out local genealogy. Meet a range of farm animals, including rare breeds such as the Canadian horse, Southdown sheep and Silver Gray Dorking poultry.

The fourth school to be built at this location. This building still stands beside the Consolidated School built in the early 60's. The building is now the New Ross Family Resource Center!

There are 10 communities (13 school districts) that make up the district of New Ross. In earlier years, each of these communities had their own schools. It was not until 1959 that one consolidated school was built for all the districts. This school can be seen just past the Ross Farm Museum on the left-hand side.

Once a student completed a minimum of grade 10, a teaching license could be granted by the government. In the 30's, young women who wanted to join the work force had two basic choices, be a teacher or a nurse!

Continuing on to Charing Cross, as the village proper was called (in memory of their English origins), imagine the surprise of an early 1900’s traveler, upon viewing New Ross for the first time. After having bumped along rough, almost impassable roads, lined by a few homes, rocky fields and woodland, the traveler suddenly comes upon the village, with attractive homes, three churches, a parish hall, a hotel, mills, large general stores, a dry goods store, garages and barber shop. At the center, where the four entrance roads converged, was a monument commemorating the soldiers of the New Ross area who fought in the 1912-1918 War (this monument is now at the Royal Canadian Legion). It is said to be Nova Scotia’s first memorial to the dead of World War 1, honoring eighty volunteers from the New Ross area. This area is commonly called ‘The Cross’, either a shortening of the name Charing Cross, or signifying the intersection of New Ross’ two major Crossroads.

On you right at the crossroads, you will see a Roman Catholic Church built circa 1877, on the original site of the first Chapel that was erected in 1827/28. This beautiful rural chapel was the first continuing Roman Catholic place of worship in Lunenburg County and was described as “a finely proportioned interpretation in wood of Gothic principals”. Behind the church is the cemetery, with headstones dating as far back as 1824.

The 25 cent bill bought a 1/2 pound of tea, a fig of tobacco & a pair of boot laces

Left at Flashing Light
On your left at the crossroads, is the Anglican Church. This church was built in 1876-79 (Historical property), on the site of the original church, which was built in 1824 but was destroyed by fire. The church has received special recognition for its set of Eucharistic Vestments, which are the second oldest in the Anglican Church of Canada. As part of the neo Gothic movement - Anglo-Catholic Revival of the latter 1800’s, the Rector’s Prayer Stall was placed in the pre-Reformation position, facing the alter, and the great hand carved beams in the roof form the Alpha and Omega (the beginning and the end). The small cemetery behind the church has church dignitaries and possibly Mary Ross (Captain Ross’ wife) buried there. Beside the church is the Christ Church Rectory, built in 1864, which is also an historical property. Famous American poet and distinguished New York City preacher, Robert Norwood, was born and raised here.

If you turn left at the crossroads, in the direction of the Forties, you will find the Baptist Church (a quarter km up on the left) . This church was built in 1905. The first Baptist Meeting House was built circa1855/56 (services were held in homes from 1831), and a monument signifying the site can be found about 2.5 km along this road. Also at this site, is the Baptist Cemetery with existing headstones from as far back as 1865.

New Ross is believed to have been the first District to raise a Memorial!

The Forties is named to recognize the 40 lots of land that were originally laid out for a settlement there. The Forties road takes you over rolling hills and farmlands looking very much as it did 100 years ago. Here you will find the Forties Community Center (8.6 km from crossroad), where you will find community events and dinners constantly on the social calendar. About 1 km further, on your right, is the Hildaniel Brown House Museum – a mid-1800’s circa home with all the household artifacts from that era and earlier time periods. If you continued on this country road, you could drive the interior to many destinations - Middleton, Annapolis Royal and many places in the Annapolis Valley region.

Straight at Flashing Light
If you continue through the crossroad on Highway 12, about 100 meters on the left is the Lincoln-Meister House (Historical property circa 1866-67). Another ½ km on your left is an archaeological ruin of stone walls, the subject of fascinating interpretations in several books. Primitive wooden clamps found at the site have been carbon dated to be 600 to 1000 years old, which suggests it is the work of the Vikings. Another suggestion is one of it being a refuge built for an English King in the 1600’s. And the most popular interpretation is of the site being built by Prince Henry Sinclair’s landing party around 1398, with possible connections to the Knight’s Templar and the Holy Grail.

Continuing on this Highway will take you towards Kentville, and the Annapolis Valley - Bay of Fundy region.

Right at Flashing Light
Turn right at the crossroads (New Russell Rd) and less than ½ km on your left is the Anglican Cemetery, with legible headstones from as far back as the 1840’s. At the Y in the road, if you continue to the left for ½ km you will see the ruins of a man-made waterway, which was used for a gristmill (183 Windsor Rd). New Ross was known for its many mills (about 50) because of the large number of lakes and rivers, and water mills became the main source of power in the 1880’s. At this location you can also see a sample of the old stone walls built in the 1800’s. These walls were not just used to separate property lines but also as a disposal area for unusable items (many antiques and objects of interest have been found in old stone walls). Over the bridge and up the hill on your left is another interesting home, known as Dr. Laver’s Home. This home was built in or before 1870 and housed New Ross’ first doctor, who ministered to the sick in the area for 50 years (1890-1941).

As you continue on your tour, at the second Y in the road (Mill Rd.), keep to your right. On this part of the drive you will experience pristine lakes and rivers, tiny community churches, old homesteads and Mother Nature at her best, especially with the fall colors. This area was populated in the 1860’s. The lakes along this road include: Horseshoe, Indian, Lewis, Upper Canoe and Mockingee, and provides an example of why we are known as Cottage Country. The New Ross area, with all of its rivers, streams and lakes, has become a prime location for people from other cities to build their cottages. Fact: the cottages outnumber our residential homes. For years, the New Ross District has been known as a prime location for both fishing and hunting, for visitors and towns people alike.

At Smith’s Corner, (Highway 14), enjoy a scenic picnic at Falls Lake Park on your left. NO EDITING from here on! Making a right onto Highway 14 experience a leisurely nature drive and enjoy the experience without the hustle and bustle of city traffic. For the environmentally friendly traveler stop and visit the Kaizer Meadow Landfill Site (1 km in), where recycling is the envy of Landfills everywhere. Ex - Need a way to get rid of old tires? The site built their storage building out of tires as a way of recycling them. While continuing on this drive make a stop at Card Lake where you can experience a heavily forested park by the lake - picnic facilities, swimming (small beach) and canoeing. Open from dawn to dusk (free). An enchanting side trip is ½ km pass Card Park make a right onto Sherwood Road. Sherwood church is about ¾ km in. This church was built about ….. Continuing on, enjoy a delectable stop at the Chocolate Factory - where samples are sumptuous and you will want more to go (come by chance). A little further along stop and gander at the miniature horses - privately pursued passion but owners are receptive to the curious. Returning to Highway 14, stop at an Art Studio (open to visitors) and the Bonny Lea Farm - A farm, to be sure, but created as a place for special needs people. Stop and see how interesting and pleasant an experience this stop can be with its many herb gardens and gift shop. It is open to the public.

Upon returning to Highway 3, make a left back into Chester or a right back into Chester Basin and the Lighthouse Route.