Once again we took a hop on-hop off bus to explore Halifax, which, like St. John’s, Newfoundland, is a very walkable city – albeit bigger. Nonetheless, being able to get off and explore neighborhoods, sights, or landmarks is great – along with hearing interesting facts and anecdotes about the area. Something I learned on this visit was about the great explosion of Halifax.
The Halifax Explosion occurred on December 6, 1917, when a munitions ship, French steamship Mont-Blanc, blew up in the harbour of Halifax, after colliding with the Norwegian vessel Imo. The ship was carrying over 3,000 tons of explosives. Nearly 2,000 people died and some 9,000 were injured in the disaster, which flattened more than 1 square mile of the city of Halifax. The clock on the north side of city hall remains at 9:05 – the time of the explosion.
The Hydrostone District draws its name from the special cinderblocks from which the houses were constructed. The neighbourhood was designed to provide housing for working-class families displaced by the explosion. Most of the dwellings are row-houses in groups of four and six, except for the large, two-storey single-family houses at the eastern end of each street. The quaint Hydrostone neighbourhood is known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards,, and ample green spaces
The public garden is a prime example of Victorian era gardens.
Some more landmarks dating back to British times.
Some of the street art – I always love it.
Leaving Halifax
