Little Bass River, Nova Scotia
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Little Bass River is a Canadian community in Colchester County, Nova Scotia.
Little Bass River forms the western portion the community of Bass River.
"Little Bass" as it is known locally, stretches along Trunk 2 from "Chipman's Hollow" in Bass River west to the neighbouring jurisdiction of Upper Economy.
[edit] Little Bass today
The year-round population of 60 residents doubles in the summer months when seasonal cottages are occupied.
The local economy employs residents in agriculture, landscaping, retail, auto repair, forestry, and blueberry production. Little Bass River is home to a growing population of retirees.
[edit] History
The economy was traditionally focused on forestry, including harvesting various species of coniferous trees such as black spruce, red spruce, white spruce, balsam fir, and juniper, as well as several hardwood species such as poplar, silver maple, paper birch, and speckled alder.
During the height of industrial activity at the turn of the 20th century, Little Bass had an active timber harvest feeding a busy saw mill, as well as a shipping wharf for exporting timber and a general store.
Local shipbuilders constructed wood sailing ships, of which 8 vessels measured 100-300 feet in length, these being:
- Goldstream in 1874 (schooner)
- Compier in 1874 (half brig)
- Cashier in 1876 (double decker)
- Depositor in 1884 (double decker)
- Florence L.
- M.J. Kenny
- Modoc
- Minas King in 1918 (schooner)
The first inhabitants were nearly entirely of Ulster Scottish origins; their surnames included Creelman, Fulton, Lewis, O'Brien, Starratt or Starrit, and Wilson.
