Join Town Heritage Researcher, Deborah Trask, as she provides an overview of how the Town of Mahone Bay evolved. Deborah tells this story through the use of maps and  information about heritage buildings within the Town.

To learn more about registered Municipal Heritage Properties in Mahone Bay, visit the Heritage Property page here, ​https://www.townofmahonebay.ca/heritage-properties.html

Incorporation

A plebiscite was held in Mahone Bay on February 20, 1919 to decide whether the community should incorporate. Of the 210 citizens who voted, 165 were in favour. The Town of Mahone Bay was officially incorporated on March 31, 1919.

The first meeting of Council took place on May 9, 1919. The meeting was presided over by Mayor Arthur L. Ernst whose seat was acclaimed. The Town's first council consisted of Mayor A.L. Ernst and Councillors Wilfred Cochrane, Harry Smith, Fred A. Penney, Charles B. Begin, William D. McLean and David A. Fancy.

Town Hall

The building now used as Town Hall was built before 1874. It had a long history as a hotel before its purchase in 1935 for use as the Town Hall. The building operated as a hotel under many names including Frail’s Hotel, J.B. Millett’s Hotel, Laurie House and the Aberdeen Hotel. Coincidentally, it served as a temporary office for Town business from incorporation in 1919 until February 1920 when a building, on the property where the current Canada Post Office now stands, was purchased to serve as the Town Hall.
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Originally the building was neo-classical style with central doors flanked by evenly spaced windows, two symmetrically placed chimneys and a steeply pitched roof line. Later alterations include additions to the rear of the building, removal of chimneys, construction of a central front tower and replacement of the lower front two-over-two sash windows with picture windows.

Town Motto & Coat of Arms

Unio Silvae Marisque - Union of forest and sea

The motto reflects the prosperity and growth generated by thriving forestry, fishing, shipbuilding and shipping industries during the 19th century.

Heraldry is a mark of distinction of a country, city, town, municipality, incorporated company or individual. On Wednesday June 16 1954, the Town of Mahone Bay received its own mark of distinction with the presentation of their own coat of arms. The crest was a present from the board of trade and the Mahone Bay Boy Scout troop, to mark the Town’s bicentennial. 

Mahone Bay was the first town in Nova Scotia to receive its own coat of arm and it is believed to be the first in Canada. The stone upon which the coat of arms stood was donated by Isaac Ernst.  Although the coat of arms was dislodged from the stone during a storm, the stone, to this day, remains in front of the Town Hall. 

This heraldic Blazon of the Arms of Mahone Bay displays a blue mill-rind on a golden shield powered with red hearts, crests a red Mahone flying the jolly Rodger, motto: Union Silvae Marisque - “Union of Forest and Sea.”

This unique and colourful crest tells a history rich in fishing, boat-building, forestry, privateering and milling. The markings of heraldry on the Mahone Bay coat of arms are as Follows:
- Gold Shield: displays the mark of the mill-rind against the arms of “old” Lunenburg, Germany, covered with the hearts of    Lunenburg County.
- Knight’s helmet: signifies loyalty to King George II, Duke of Lunenburg, ruler at the time of settlement. Attached to the helmet is the twisted blue and yellow mantling to show pride and honour in battle.
- Red Mahone: The two mast low-lying craft with both sails and oars, favoured by the pirates who infested the bay.
- Jolly Rodger: The flag that identifies a pirate craft.

The crest can only be used by the town of Mahone Bay, and may be used on badges and flags.