Grand Narrows, Nova Scotia
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Grand Narrows (2001 population 15) is a community in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality of Nova Scotia Canada. It is at 45º57'24"N, 60º47'32"W.
[edit] Origin of Name
The name comes from the "Grand Narrows" of Bras d'Or Lake, formally known as the Barra Strait.
[edit] History
The community came to prominence during the 1880s after the Intercolonial Railway built its line from the Strait of Canso to Sydney, crossing the Barra Strait between Iona and Grand Narrows by a bridge, still in use, which is the longest railway bridge in Nova Scotia.
Grand Narrows became a major transshipment point between rail and waterborne passengers and cargo. A hotel was constructed and became a popular resting spot, Canada's first prime minister Sir John A. Macdonald was among its guests.
A passenger and vehicle ferry service was operated by the provincial government across the Barra Strait to Iona until a highway bridge was opened in October 1993.
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