Uncovering the Lost Town of Shulie, Nova Scotia: Nothing Left but Memories

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Cumberland County is a large section of land in Nova Scotia, Canada, jutting into the Bay of Fundy. Thickly forested, its history is made up primarily of logging, mining, and shipbuilding, with its southern shore producing famous ships, including the infamous Mary Celeste, previously explored on this channel.
But, on its north shore, once sat a thriving community now erased from most maps. We’re exploring the site of an old logging camp and mill and the small town that was built around it. There’s not much left here to actually see, but there are countless stories to uncover and tell. This is the town of Shulie, Nova Scotia.
Today, in the heat, humidity, and swarms of bugs, we’re exploring what little remains of this once thriving community alongside Fred Priest, who is a descendant of several residents of Shulie. He also happens to be my wife’s grandfather.
We also explore the story of the giant logging rafts sent out from near Joggins down to New York City in the 1880's.
For genealogical purposes, here's a list of family names discussed in this video: Priest, Patterson, Colbourne, Warren, Hoeg, Goldstein, Copp, and Greer.

[@-arGru]

"That's not him, that's his dog" Never stop Tom.

[@lbar9720]

Right?! I laughed.

[@ryanschofield9507]

The guy sailing his entire house and livelihood along the coast to a nicer spot is hilarious, he's a true Nova Scotian lmao

[@jlt131]

my grandfather did this as well, i believe in the late 1930s. unfortunately the barge sunk at some point along the way, and since they were in very remote BC coastline, it took him and his wife several days to get to civilization, and everyone was convinced they had died. none of their belongings were ever recovered.

[@ryanschofield9507]

@@jlt131 They must have been tough as nails to survive that, crazy to think there's a sunken house off the coast out there similar to a shipwreck site. They'll find that in 1000 years and theorize that the entire population of BC lived on houseboats along the coast lol

[@peggyjones3282]

I love that his wife was busy baking bread. Can't just sit around. She's got stuff to do!

[@sadBanker902]

I grew up along the Bay of Fundy and there's a lot of houses that were just floated along or across the bay at some point in their history. The house I grew up in wasn't one of them but it was built before the confederation of Canada which was pretty neat.

[@ryanschofield9507]

@@sadBanker902 I grew up in Annapolis Royal, we have all the old houses but the Digby Gut helps keep it all in place fortunately. The whole town could be walled in and turned into a museum, I take it for granted sometimes but some of my formative years and experiences were backdropped by an absurd amount of history. Just one little example out of probably a thousand, I used to skip school sometimes (my unfortunate rebellious years lol) and the go to "hiding" spot was at Fort Anne, just a casual early 17th century star fort to wander around in my little hometown.

[@katehardwick4283]

When a wild goose chase turns up ANYTHING even a nail, to me, that’s SOOOOOO exciting. When I was a child my mom used to take me exploring abandoned houses. That still excites me at almost 68!!!

[@telquel7843]

It is both amazing and somewhat sad to realize how many lost fishing/logging communities there are around Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Quebec. I can't help but think of all the hours of work and danger they went through to raise a community out of the wilderness. And how little remains to commemorate their struggles. It isn't often I get to hear stories about the history of the areas I grew up, so I really appreciate it. There is a rich history in Nova Scotia, but it can be startling how little we are taught of it.

[@jlt131]

And BC!

[@telquel7843]

@@jlt131 I would like to visit more places like that in BC. It is a big province so you need lots of time! The thing that gets me on the east coast is there are now buildings on Grand Manan that I remember standing in and eating a smoked herring in as kid that have collapsed. I couldn't have known as a child that the entire way of life around me would perish. And I would watch it happen. Perhaps that is true of all generations. But that thought does little to take the sting out of my own experience of it.

[@kindcanadian5825]

Blame globalism

[@lbar9720]

It was a hard life for the workers and the families.

[@emusaurus]

Not really valuable information though is it?

[@MedicallyHigh]

It’s hard to put to words the feeling I get hearing of people who lived and loved and existed in a town that sadly can just fade away into time. Life is so vast, we can live our lives and will still be forgotten by time.

[@lbar9720]

Well that's a sobering thought! lol

[@flocorgi9898]

As an Acadian Ocean Liner and history enthusiast this means so much to me. Thanks for exploring more of Atlantic Canada’s history.

[@devinkaiser4656]

You are an ocean liner?

[@GM-xo7yy]

​@@devinkaiser4656I don't think they meant that. 😂

[@salenaspice9532]

Lp0pp🙌😅1

[@flocorgi9898]

@@devinkaiser4656 yes I identify as an big, long, hard, wavy, salty and wet ocean liner.

[@raerae6422]

Ive got tears in my eyes from laughing at your comments!

[@whitequasar4686]

I know you said in a previous video that your ghost town videos don't have as many views as your ship videos but I very much do enjoy and appreciate them made me appreciate the smaller quiet towns in the United States and gets me interested to visiting them

[@parchment543]

same

[@whitequasar4686]

@@levek5806 yes I know I don't live anywhere near Canada I live in Georgia

[@xr6lad]

@@levek5806Hey said it made him appreciate small towns in the USA. What’s so hard to understand?

[@Scotian169]

As a Nova Scotian I really appreciate your channel. Thank for you telling our history ❤

[@riverraisin1]

I like poking around old former town locations such as you did at Shulie. It never ceases to amaze me when walking through dense forest and rugged terrain that it was even possible that anyone erected buildings on the land. Yet in old photographs it would look level and fairly groomed. There are thousands of locations just like this. Thank heavens that historians chronicle these tales for people to learn, enjoy, and pass along to future generations.

[@shendaraalshedir1933]

That was beyond repulsive that those wooden crosses were kicked over. Those were placed there by people who loved them. Desecrating a grave is absolutely vile. Nova Scotia is my very favourite place in the world, what a shameful thing to see there! You really packed alot of information in this video, well 👏🏻done young man, thank you for sharing this!👍🏻😄🐾🌈☮️🇨🇦(Ottawa)

[@bernice4599]

I live in NS 😊

[@sadBanker902]

It may not have been kicked. The river is tidal and experiences one of the highest tides in the world. The river could have easily undercut the ground underneath causing the ground above to subside. There's a modern cemetery on the other side of that bay that I know is having a similar issue with graves at risk of being undercut and washed out to sea.

[@charlieross-BRM]

My take is that with some browsing, we'd find more scenarios similar to the one he demonstrated. Proper stones were installed and those crosses were discarded down an out of the way slope by the maintenance people with no disrespect intended is how I see it happening. It was found on an embankment in the bush, not on the flat burying ground.

[@Trigger200284]

Grew up in Springhill NS, and I can confirm that graves wash out along the bay of Fundy all the time. Highest tides in the whole world. It is also possible that they weren't kicked there, but they may have rotted along the ground line and broke off, and the position and owner of the grave could of been lost to time from lack of upkeep. It's not like every major city in the world hasn't built over old grave sites knowingly at some point... Nova Scotia is the oldest European settled place in North America outside of the vikings in Newfoundland, old grave yards are very common and the winters are very unforgiving to wooden structures of all sorts. Even actual headstones would be heaved and broken from the frost. The winters are miserable in Cumberland county, or used to be before global warming anyway.

[@jasoncollins6160]

I like the way you merge the old photo’s into the new landscape, helps to get a feel for it

[@blueriver5269]

Tom, this was such a fun video. Your personal attachment to the area and people was very special and there were many many parts where my husband and I were either surprised or amazed. Great video

[@VulgarBeats902]

My 5x great grandfather founded Oxford in Cumberland County in the 1700’s. As a Scotian, i appreciate the History. Subscribed 🤙

[@mrs0scabtree]

I’m from PEI but have many roots in Nova Scotia, thank you for sharing our history which is so often forgotten, and thanks to your wife’s grandfather for keeping history alive

[@brucebrown686]

Interesting story. My father, Elmer L Brown (b 1902) lived in Shulie (he spelled it Shulee) from 1906-1917 and wrote his memoirs of Shulee and surrounding area Joggins, Sand River, Apple River, Flat Brook, Two Rivers, River Hebert, Chignecto, etc and the families living in Shulee when he was a boy.

[@Trigger200284]

Grew up in Springhill, very familiar with all these places, but at 40 years old I never knew about Shulie, and I've been over that bridge dozens and dozens of times...

[@nakazul1]

Hello from North of Sweden, and old logging county of Västernorrland. Nice video. Most hardware lost from this era but the storys are still around. Story from my childhood: We keept loggin the old way by-water in to modern age here. So interesting timber canals was built to get around the waterpowerplants. When they shut down the timber-by-water method, the canals were used as a means to travel, by walking, skateboards or riding bikes between villages for a time. These canals mostly built in wood roted away ofc and was torn down in the end. Missed by a lot of the locals.

[@RottsIGs]

I'm a born & bred bluenoser, and I'll admit I hadn't heard of this before. Thank you!

[@Trigger200284]

My family grew up a 25 minute car ride from there, lived in Springhill until I was 19, never knew there was a town there, never knew there was a mill, been over that bridge dozens of times easily.

[@johnbee7729]

Good job. Another Nova scotia 'ghost town' if you haven't done it already is The Electric City otherwise known as New France, Nova Scotia just outside of Weymouth.

[@railroading6377]

It's still there but havely overgrown now owned by nsp

[@AG_KEMPER]

What a beautiful memory for you, your grandfather-in-law, and your father-in-law! This will be something you can show your son when he's older and share the generational love of exploration and adventure!

[@anotherpeasant]

I was just up in that area camping just last week, passed right over the Shulie bridge a few times. You can feel the history up there driving thru small towns where the main businesses are antique shops and craft stores. Come on up the Valley way, I'll help ya go find Aalders Landing out in the woods. This town had a bowling alley, churches, and was apparently the end of a railway from another ghost town further south. No roads, no trails, but its out there.

[@cdd4248]

Sounds interesting and intriguing.

[@ryanschofield9507]

Another equally interesting, but a little bit more better known place (In the valley anyways) is New France located about 30km in from Weymouth, it was also know as the Electric City, the Stehelin family operated a lumber mill there that supplied power to Weymouth over 20 years before the rest of Digby county had access to electricity. The interesting history in this province is one of the few things that keeps me here

[@Trigger200284]

@@ryanschofield9507 Dude, I was just going to mention New France and how it was called electric city. I was thinking about this literally 3 seconds before I got to your comment... so strange.

[@carly64]

Being from rural Nova Scotia, this unlocked a childhood memory of exploring the different woods/shores and finding different things/hearing similar stories. Thanks for that!

[@Futureshucks]

3:11 Fascinating to hear Fred speak, when he says "My names Fred Priest..." and he sounds as though he has light, perhaps Devon or maybe Somerset accent. it's only when comes to the end of the sentence, "he ran a black smith shop there." Does his accent sound North American. Listening to Fred speak it's amazing. Obviously I appreciate Fred may have moved about throughout his life, but if he was raised in the area and didn't move from the area until he was an adult, then it seems as though a lot of his ancestors accent has stayed with him and the those in that area. Also more broadly an excellent piece of work and a perfect tonic for less than reasonable Tuesday.

[@jennyfrmthblock]

The stereotypical Nova Scotian accent descends mainly from Irish and Scottish settlers

[@davidbarr8394]

Please consider a segment on the "lost town" of Valsetz, Oregon, at one time a thriving community with a high school, many businesses, and high employment, until limited access to timber and the environmental consciousness forced its demise within a generation: abandoned, bulldozed and razed. It was not a logging camp, it was a town with hundreds of people.

[@tristanvanoort7688]

Can you trade it in ghost towns in BC, Canada, British Columbia, Canada

[@spiritofanu3112]

This was interesting. I lived in the Maritimes for four years while attending Mount Allison University at the top of the Bay of Fundy. Joggins was a regular destination while studying geology my first year there. It is a famous geological and dino fossil site now. I have travelled that highway down the Cumberland straight to the south of Nova Scotia stopping and visiting many abandoned grave sites on the way. So much history in old grave sites.

[@RandyMatheson]

2 years ago on the way to Joggins I stopped on that bridge and took some pictures of the river, not realizing that so much history was around me. Thanks for putting this together.

[@wompwomp_107]

i wonder how many places i’ve driven through like this once beautiful place and have no idea as to what history it beholds. your comment has me thinking!

[@flocorgi9898]

In Shediac New-Brunswick there is an island called Shediac Island and there was once a small town on this small island but now there is only ancient roads and foundation’s on the island. and there is a couple houses in shediac that were once on the island that got transported across the bay during the winter. Shediac is a beautiful place with a lot of maritime history so if you are ever in New-Brunswick make sure to visit Shediac Island!

[@kriswindley4579]

Grindstone Island would be interesting too - down route 114 toward Alma. There’s a story that it’s still technically British land because of some odd contract loop-hole, and is now empty save the foundations of buildings.

[@dianaholvik2554]

Ghost towns and settlements in humid climates tend to just "melt" into the ground, whereas there are more visible remains in dry places, such as the N. American/Canadian West. It's great to see another story of Canada's past. Thank you. I just started watching your channel and I'm really enjoying it. Loved that you pointed out that "...that's his dog, not him..." LOL.

[@Brandeena233]

I'm a life-long resident of Cumberland County, Nova Scotia, and I've learned something new today. Nice work.

[@Feline_Frenzy53]

Wonderful story, Tom. Good to see your Emma's grandfather, too. History lives on. Thank you for presenting this story.

[@mariannedelwo9842]

I really enjoyed this. I live in Ontario, but born and bred in New Brunswick, a true maritimer at heart.

[@paulag0420]

I have a town in Kentucky called Kyrock. The original town has disappeared and there's no way to get to the original site but I would love to hear what you could find out about it and do a episode about it. Thank you.

[@hondoklaatu1904]

Despite being familiar with the area, I had not heard of this town. Thank you for mentioning it and getting me to do some research.

[@ibkristykat]

😮 what do you mean by "no way to get to" it? It's blocked or something? Intriguing

[@hondoklaatu1904]

It's not that obscure but in southern Indiana near Louisville (Charlestown) there is a small abandoned amusement called Rose Island. It was closed due to damage from that huge '37 flood. There is nothing much left now but it is a pretty place to hike.

[@paulag0420]

@ibkristykat all access to it no longer exists. You can still see the water tower but all roads have been taken over by earth. The town was built in 1918 and became popular for the material used to make blacktop roads. The town disappeared by 1958. Google it just type in (KYROCK, KENTUCKY) it's in Edmondson County. Not far from Nolin Dam. I would love to see if there's anything left. I've always been entrigued by it. For over 30 years my parents had a cabin at the lake near the dam and we heard about Kyrock and tried to learn more about it. There's still a school named KYROCK elementary.

[@paulag0420]

@hondoklaatu1904 the the town I live in, we still call it Colesburg, KY but most the town scattered after the flod in 37. It still floods but nowhere near then what is use to. I love living here peace and quiet.

[@l.l.2463]

This was awesome! I wonder how many such tiny communities have vanished in our country. One of my sons' friend's Eagle Project was rehabilitating an old pioneer cemetery West of our town. It is now ranch land and forest, but it was once a small, tight-knit community of which none of us had ever heard. I don't think it was even mentioned in the county museum. I will never forget one row of tiny headstones marking the graves of a series of small children from one family. I just can't even imagine.

[@kelliepatrick519]

It's very sad how many children died before vaccines were invented.

[@Stitchwitchstitch]

Oh my goodness, that grave of Greer children it’s the saddest thing. Their poor parents 😳😭 It was very moving to see how upset you were that the crosses had been thrown off the top of the cliff- you’re a very good and kind person, with a deep respect for others. And your family is adorable!

[@pippagrey9633]

I wonder if those crosses could have been temporary markers, no longer needed after stone monuments were carved? Just a thought, but it would fit with those such as the Greer cross where there is now a more permanent grave marker.

[@JiiNXXXXX]

Thanks for the video Tom! This should be sent to CBC or something, your work is honestly top knotch :)

[@tazztower44]

as the crow flies,I'm less then a 100 miles from joggins and this is the first time I ever heard of "shulie" and the log raft that was sent to new york..very interesting

[@petermartin1954]

Land and sea might be a candidate

[@poc329]

I'm from the UK, but like all things history. Great story. Well presented. Much appreciated.

[@usmcmustang2972]

Often times the wooden crosses were pulled and tossed, stacked or piled in various places as a more permanent marker was placed... Even today, it takes sometimes months or years to erect a permanent marker ... In this case, the steep hillside was a perfect place to dispose of wooden markers... Highly unlikely it was vandalism

[@MARGATEorcMAULER]

That was a very pleasant half hour,and I needed it!Thank you.

[@sherrywarren-biers3327]

Was surprised to see this video…..just happened across it in a random fashion. My maternal grandfather, Frank C Robinson of Moncton, New Brunswick was involved in the Shulie sawmill/logging enterprise…..how exactly, I don’t know…..may have been one of the owners or managers. Only remember my mother mentioning this place various times but because I was young, never paid much attention. Own a wonderful old colourized photo of Shulie depicting some logs, wharf, river and ship. It is hanging on my wall. Thanks for the interesting video!

[@oli24yt]

Your Nova Scotia videos always remind me of many happy childhood hours spent wandering the rocky shore and marshes and barrens of the rural South Shore with my Nana, looking for sea glass and artefacts, while she told me endless stories of houses that no longer stood and people that no longer lived there, in the dwindling fishing community where both sides of her family made a living some 300 years. In a place like Nova Scotia there's a wealth of stories hidden beneath what at first glance might look like pastures and mud and stands of trees seemingly untouched by anybody. I really enjoy listening to you respectfully, curiously dig them up like so much beach glass and bring some fragment of what once was back into the light.

[@radmom05]

I love and respect how you give the gone and (almost) forgotten their voice and dignity back. Thank you for sharing this. We need to see and understand this history before it is lost.

[@veronicaroach3667]

It's so humbling to learn about the lives of people who did the pioneering work establishing little towns & built businesses & grew up families while we tend to take for granted that every town started this way, it's just sad that some never quite made it for long ! Thank you, this video just appeared in my list - very interesting !

[@360Nomad]

If you're ever in California Tom, you should visit the "town" of Drawbridge, it's got quite an interesting history.

[@elizabethraworth64]

Fascinating ! I live abiut 100 km from Shulie. My grandfather who had roots in Port Elgin New Brunswick spoke of this and many other lumber mills. His family had a large cabinet making business in Moncton NB. Thank you for such a great video.

[@Mist3rData]

I just love history like this! As a part of Canadian history it shoud never be forgotten. Well done!

[@m.streicher8286]

3:23 I can't get enough of these old photos overlayed on new ones. I wish more people would copy you :)

[@aidansnene4850]

Your a Wonderful Storyteller Friend ⚘️ and "That's Not Him, That's His Dog " Made Me LOL 😁

[@mikeseier4449]

Tom, Your videos are long,.. But they never seem long enough!👍

[@HG-vj8kg]

Hey if you need more ideas for vanished towns, try Dana and a few other towns in Massachusetts that were flooded to make the quabbin reservoir

[@arlenedorego1277]

Yes. I'm from Massachusetts and would love to know more about this than I do right now

[@dellahicks7231]

I love the videos with heavy content about the people, and having Emma's grandfather share with us, made it truly amazing! I was hoping those crosses were not just tossed as they were, those type of burial grounds are sacred. We have found a few in the forest north of where I reside in Saskatchewan, we give them the respect they deserve.

[@adoxartist1258]

Fascinating! You really are very good at these documentaries. You are polished but personable and it's clear you do a ton of research and prep work. Thank you for sharing your interests with us. 🙂

[@als3022]

Makes me sad that my own forgotten town near where I live is under a lake. It was abandoned way before the lake was made, but still it can only be walked during times of drought when the Petersburg Ga rises out of the water.

[@carlwest859]

The large piece of iron at the shore line possibly could be the bottom bearing for a jib boom crane mounted on the wharf for loading ship's cargo.

[@reneejones7807]

Wow- excellent job. I feel like I’ve been there and walked in their footsteps! Thank you!

[@theoriginaleb9616]

Forgotten graves make me so very sad. In the middle of my city, there is a tiny family cemetery from the mid-1800’s. It butts up to the unused side of a retail store and an unused parking lot driveway. (Actually, I should say the store & parking lot butt up to the cemetery, since it was there first!) I’m estimating the cemetery to be approximately 20’ x 40’. At some point, a small 3’ brick wall was built around it, with an opening to allow visitors. I’m guessing it was built when the retail store was, as the brickwork seems to match. When I first discovered the area as a teenager, the store was a Piggly Wiggly. The city put up a “historic places” placard at the opening of the brick wall. But very few people (with good intentions) know it even exists. Unfortunately, that little hidden area has become a magnet for undesirable behaviors. The tombstones are mostly gone, and the couple that are left have been smashed by vandals. The area is often filled with trash and evidence of drug use. It’s a secluded, dark place to hide. I couldn’t imagine my family’s graves being so disrespected. It makes me very sad for the people who are buried there. I wish the city or the current owners of the cemetery would clean it up and close it off. Replacing the gravestones would be amazing, but probably too much to hope for. They could at least put a garbage can in that area. (And hope it gets used.) I go by there on occasion, and it looks worse every time. Perhaps if I grow a pair, I can raise the issue with the city council, although, I doubt they’d care. When I first found it over 30 years ago, there were still some intact headstones. I’m tempted to go to the library to research the history of the area, family, and find the current owners. If you’re a believer in a higher power, say a little prayer for this family. If you’re not a believer, simply wish the area well. No one deserves their final resting place to be treated like this. And I know it’s far from being the only one.

[@andyrector2656]

I'm glad you mentioned the gravestones being pitched over the cliff. Guaranteed you heard the story about that while you were home.

[@mattmorrisson9607]

Another beautiful video, Tom, and another reason why this is one of my favorite channels on KZbin. Thank you for telling their story!

[@RailPreserver2K]

There is a ghost town that can be accessed by the Cass Scenic Railroad, it was called Spruce but once the logging dried up there was nothing really left except ruins

[@steampossum7905]

My first thought on that mystery metal piece was a tuyere or possibly a flange from a boiler, but after noticing the length of those loose bolts I'm inclined to think it was probably the hub of a wooden water wheel that has since rotted away.

[@scooterdogg7580]

Or an old brake disc , he should've pulling it out for a better look

[@TripWagstaff5213]

I live in Cumberland and have been through Shulie a couple times, but I didn’t know most of the stuff you had in this video. It was really neat to watch! There’s also two other ghost towns in the area as well near advocate, Eatonville and New Yarmouth. Both are now mostly within Caep Chignecto park. Probably have similar stories to Shulie I imagine

[@angelagould8242]

I was born in Cumberland County In Amherst. I had never heard of this Thank You for letting me learn about this community.

[@ellen4956]

This was a great video! One thing that struck me was the color of the water being the same as in Homer's writings; the "wine dark water". I have to wonder if that's because of the minerals in the ground around there or the type of algae that grows in the water. Thank you for keeping the memories of this town alive!

[@flannelpillowcase6475]

3:24 seeing transitions of current land vs the way land used to look by photographs always always just completely blows my mind

[@hamishneilson7140]

Joggins is a really cool spot! One of the fossil capitals of the world. I used to go there with my dad when I was younger and you could literally walk down the beach kicking rocks over uncovering fossils. Mainly just trees and leaves and other vegetation, but you could come across some trilobites (I think, can’t remember what they’re called anymore so many years later). Couldn’t take anything, but it was really cool to see. If you found anything particularly unique you could take it to the museum though. I highly recommend a visit.

[@loditx7706]

This was interesting and sad, as all lost things are sad: pictures, pets, people, grave markers, towns, but something survived, memories and stories from the old folk, sometimes old archives that some people were wise enough to save and preserve. Thanks to people like you who go off the paved paths and listen and read and share what you find with us, lovers of the lost and sad. Never heard of Shulie, river/creek or town, but now I will remember it, too. That river/creek and the forests are beautiful. I wish that I could live there. (As long as I had electricity and indoor plumbing.) I forget the name of the town still there, with houses still and I guess, shops. Saw a church also. I think it was Joggins, but whatever. How do the people there survive? I mean, how do they earn their livelihood? You didn’t mention any industry and it doesn’t seem to have enough people to work at a large place. Just wondering about the living, so far from me, as well as the dead and the gone. Thanks again. ❤

[@patriciafoster6282]

Love love love this presentation‼️. I also love anything about Nova Scotia and you did a beautiful narration young man. Thank you for making my day so enjoyable and I look forward to more of your wonderful work. ❣️‼️

[@bicivelo]

I find it so haunting that in the wilderness, there was a thriving town. Videos like this keep those peoples memories alive. Thank you for the great videos you make.

[@Grace-tc1lq]

Thank you for sharing. My ancestors came to Nova Scotia in the 1700s and there are many of the family, including myself who settled here. It’s very interesting to go back in time and you’ve done it so well. Thanks again, 👍

[@1BYEBYE1]

Imagine going out to the middle of nowhere building a couple houses with your buds and cutting down trees and selling them. Good luck trying that today. Wish it was that easy now.

[@paulboucher806]

I only recently subscribed to this channel after watching a documentary of the SS Atlantic not realising the Canadian orientation of its content. I'll cut to the chase, I was born in Halifax N.S. in 1958 to a French Canadian from Montréal and British mother from Portsmouth. I left Canada in 1961to return to the UK with my mother. I have never returned to Canada and honestly never felt the impulse to do so. The content I've already watched since subscribing has, for the first time in my life given me the emotional motivation to return and see the countryside and place on the planet that concern me.

[@victoriamacpriest7130]

Thank you. What an awesome video. Very well done. My Dad is Fred's first cousin, so I recognize and am related to many of the ancestors you mentioned. What a lovely way to remember them. So many of the stories we hear over the years will be forgotten. Again, thank you.

[@harryadams5651]

wonderful project bringing life back to this vanished community

[@rachelm2798]

I love that you compile all this information about these otherwise forgotten towns for everyone to learn about. It keeps their memory alive in a way.

[@indridcold8433]

At the beginning, it is mentioned the humidity is very high in Nova Scotia. That is a bit of an understatement.

[@mrsponkman]

Man I was about to go to bed why you gotta do this to me 😂, Cant wait to watch!

[@SandyMacQ]

I am so glad I stumbled upon your channel. Awesome stories from out past

[@tinagolomb9203]

My great, great, great grandpa was a fisherman and sailed the Funbay. He went out one day on a fishing trip and a storm hit and the ship never came back. They guess hes ship went down. My family on my fathers side is from France and sailed to Nova scotia.❤

[@robvannNS]

My guess is a flange hub for a water wheel..I would think a metal detector would help find the blacksmith shop.

[@Trigger200284]

I grew up in Springhill, a famous coal mining town with tons of tragedy and home of Anne Murray, I turn 40 this year and I never knew this place existed. I knew about Mitten though. My family lived in the Athol Woods just past Springhill not that far from where this community would of been. Love history but had no idea about this place, thank you. The power of the algorithm brought this to me for some reason. Cumberland county is a beautiful place, but Moncton and Halifax have made it a dead place with modern transportation needing no reason to stop on the peninsula anymore.

[@tommargarites2811]

Sadly there are not near enough stories of our countries history available to us, not even in our schools, which is simply shameful. Thanks to you and probably just a handful of like individuals, producing videos like these, we do indeed have a history worth remembering, and a distinctive one at that. I can't thank you enough for bringing stories like this to life. But I guess a sub is a good way to start.

[@ellisandrews440]

Thank you for all your digging to produce this video. I enjoyed it very much and brings back a lot of memories.

[@Bluenose2]

May I suggest you visit Westville, Pictou Co. and discover what it was like in it's heyday back when it had three coal mines. One of which, the Black diamond Mine supposedly left a locomotive and coal cars within the mine. I am 68 and heard that story when I was around 12 in the 60s, when the last underground mine switched to deisel to haul coal cars to the siding not far from where I grew up.

[@cruisepaige]

I am so glad this showed up in my feed, so glad I saved it in my watch later list, and so glad I watched it tonight. Nice job!!

[@karenrankin7653]

My second video from you. Really enjoying them. The descendant to be able to tell you more is incredible! Let’s don’t lose these older generations and their information and knowledge.

[@HiVizCamo]

Thank you for your attention to investigating the graveyards and grave sites, being all that remains of their town. It's interesting and disappointing the casual disregard for some of the markers, and how almost no official record of the site has survived to this day. Even though some graves appear to have been desecrated, removed or left unmarked, it seems you have found evidence that at least some were relocated and re-interred properly at another site. What a challenge we face in our efforts to interpret the past without strong evidence, thank you again for your efforts here.

[@dirkhartman9572]

Actual its really nice these ghost toen stories, it gives peace somehow, also nice you got your father in law involved

[@evelynfidler6285]

Born and raised in nova scotia and this is the first I had heard of this community

[@Jimmy-ex2ep]

Hello Tom. The Electric Light is listed as a Barquentine, tonnage of 249. The builder/owner was a person named Chapman, first name unknown. Built in Shulie in 1879. From the book, Sails of Fundy, by Stanley T. Spicer, of Spencer's Island. Published 1984. Hope that helps a bit.

[@Calvin_OBlenis]

My home county this time! Thank you very much.

[@maysmith4906]

I'm from Cumberland County. Thanks for this!

[@timc2346]

I think it's great binging these places and people back to Life .Makes me think of my Parents and Grandparents and handful of Stories that remain.Tuned in from Ontario. 🇨🇦

[@jaxsally]

What a visually stunning and well researched video. There’s beauty and tragedy in Shulie’s story. I have subscribed and I’m looking forward to watching more of your content (I love history). Keep on trucking! 👋🏼

[@p.k.5455]

The personal connection makes it so much more interesting. Thank you!!

[@Theospeak1]

Your videos are an absolute service to humanity. Thank you so much for what you do! Generations from now families will still be discovering and appreciating your work.

[@jessebechtold2973]

Fantastic video! And the family connection is such a beautiful layer to the story really bringing the whole thing ‘home’.

[@owellafehr5191]

Fascinating and somewhat saddening story. Thank you for bringing the history of this community to light!

[@gords4520]

Great video! I'm a real history buff and really enjoy stories of how old communities came and went, especially Canadian towns. Well done.

[@thormusique]

I absolutely loved this! Thanks so much, and please keep up the wonderful work. Cheers!

[@scofab]

"Everything comes and goes, marked by lovers, and styles of clothes. Thinks that you held high, and told yourself were true lost or changing, as the days come down to you." --Joni Mitchell Captivating, thank you very much as always.

[@Mac3622]

There are so many abandoned towns in Nova Scotia. Londonderry in Colchester County is probably the saddest: iron ore mine and steel mill made the town, but when the ore was depleted almost everyone left

[@cecemepls0]

“I’m out here exploring with my father-in-law, Mark…….that’s not him, that’s his dog” made me laugh more than it should’ve 😂😂 I swear your humor is totally my style 😂 I get to learn some history AND giggle every now and then. Thanks for the awesome content! I’m grateful for your father-in-law and to have heard his family’s amazing story! ❤