Devils Island, Nova Scotia

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Devils Island
Location of Devils Island, Nova Scotia
Devils Island
Location of Devils Island, Nova Scotia
Coordinates: 44°35′0″N 63°27′32.59″W / 44.58333, -63.4590528
Country Flag of Canada Canada
Province Flag of Nova Scotia Nova Scotia
Municipality Halifax Regional Municipality
District 9
Founded 1711
Area (Island)
 - Total .12 km² (0.04633224 sq mi)
Elevation 4.6 m (15 ft)
Time zone AST (UTC-4)
 - Summer (DST) ADT (UTC-3)
GNBC Code CAJKW
Website: http://www.devilsisland.ca/

Devils Island, Nova Scotia is located on the northeast entrance of Halifax Harbour off the coast of the Halifax Regional Municipality near the community of Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia. The name originated from an early French merchant and was first spelled Deville's Island. The first permanent settlement on this 12 hectare island was established in 1830, and by 1850 there were three houses and a school. By 1901 the settlement had grown to 18 houses. A number of Devil's Island residents, notably Ben Henneberry, provided valuable folklore to pioneering Canadian folklorist Helen Creighton. Most of the residents were moved to the mainland during World War II. The last permanent resident, a Norwegian artist, moved off in 2000. The island is currently owned by Halifax entrepreneur Bill Mont. A lighthouse built in 1877, replacing an earlier tower built in 1852, is still in operation today.

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