Yarmouth, N.S. Pewter Ornaments

Each pewter ornament (2 3/8″ dia.) is dated and identified on the reverse and comes with a card giving a brief history of the landmark.

The present Villa Saint-Joseph-du-Lac at the head of Lake Milo in Dayton, Yarmouth Co., N.S. was originally a posh railroad hotel. Built in 1930-31 by the Canadian Pacific Railroad Company, Lakeside Inn continued in operation until 1960. The Inn had a five star rating and was as popular locally as it was for American visitors. Its many interesting and grand architectural features are similar to those found in other railroad hotels of the era. It is built of concrete and stone with stucco finish in the French Eclectic style and has a deep verandah across the front of the main section.

In 1960 it was bought by Les Religieuses Hospitalieres de Saint-Joseph and is operated as a long term care home under the name of Villa St. Joseph-du-Lac. It is a provincially funded, not-for-profit facility with 79 beds. “The Villa” is accredited and welcomes residents from all walks of life.

Each pewter ornament (2 3/8″ dia.) is dated and identified on the reverse and comes with a card giving a history of the landmark.

Originally built in 1869 as the home of  Captain John Killam Ryerson at a cost of $35,000, this building was considered at the time to be one of the grandest homes in the province. In Second Empire style the building featured frescoed ceilings executed by German craftsmen, fireplaces of Italian marble, paneled wainscoting and a broad, handsome stairway curving up three stories to a cupola. Captain Ryerson served as Yarmouth’s elected representative to the first local Assembly formed after Confederation. He died in 1890.

In 1898 the home was purchased by the School commissioners for $8,000.00 and it became the Yarmouth County Academy. In 1899 the school opened with classrooms occupied by High School and Primary classes. Classes in Manual Training and Domestic Science and a Commercial Department were added over the years. As enrollment increased in High School (grades 9 to 12), Primary classes were moved out. On February 20, 1949 the building was completely destroyed by fire. At the time approximately 330 pupils were enrolled.

Yarmouth Consolidated Memorial High School, another in our series of Yarmouth, N.S. Landmarks, was built on the site and opened the following year.

Each pewter ornament (2 3/8″ dia.) is dated and identified on the reverse and comes with a card giving a history of the landmark.

The Yarmouth County Museum at 22 Collins Street was built in 1892-93 of Shelburne County granite with Milford Simms & Son and E.B. Churchill & Burton as general contractors. The building was originally constructed as the Tabernacle Congregational Church. In 1925 the congregation joined the United Church of Canada and the building was later known as Central United Church. In 1967 it joined with Wesley United Church in its new location on Beacon Street. The Yarmouth County Historical Society which had been in operation since 1935 purchased the building and opened the doors of the new Yarmouth County Museum on June 9, 1969. Since that time two new wings have been added.

This substantial building provides a handsome setting for the Museum’s outstanding collections. This award winning museum is a “Yarmouth, N.S. Landmark”.

Each pewter ornament (2 3/8″ dia.) is dated and identified on the reverse and comes with a card giving a brief history of the landmark.

The Yarmouth Consolidated Memorial High School was officially opened on August 15, 1950 by The Honorable Angus L. MacDonald, Premier of Nova Scotia. The corner stone names Eric H. Spinney as Chairman of the School Board, Leslie R. Fairn as the architect, and Kenney Construction as the builders. The first principal was R.H. Murray; the vice-principal was John Robbins.

The red brick building sits atop “Education Hill” near the site of the Yarmouth Academy which had burned down on February 20, 1949. The new school with a Georgian style façade was built in an H shape. It boasted one of the largest gym-auditoriums of its time in Nova Scotia, 13 classrooms, 3 laboratories, a library, Home Economics room, wood working shops, and a cafeteria.

In 1987 a twelve room addition with labs was built. The school closed in 2012 having been replaced by a new structure on Forest Street. The old YCMHS is waiting to be re-purposed.

Having served as the high school for both Yarmouth Town and County and the venue for many concerts and public meetings for over sixty years, the Y.C.M.H.S. is a well known “Yarmouth, N. S. Landmark”.

Each pewter ornament (2 3/8″ dia.) is dated and identified on the reverse and comes with a card giving a history of the landmark.

The present Yarmouth Light at Cape Forchu overlooking the entrance to Yarmouth Harbour was built in 1962 replacing the first light built in 1840. The keeper’s house was constructed in 1912 replacing an earlier home. The era of the lighthouse keeper came to an end at Cape Forchu in 1994, and the house now serves as a pictorial museum/information centre run by the Friends of the Light Society. The Yarmouth Light has a long history as a welcome beacon to mariners and it continues as a favorite spot for Yarmouthians and visitors alike. It is a “Yarmouth, N.S. Landmark”.

Each pewter ornament (2 3/8″ dia.) is dated and identified on the reverse and comes with a card giving a history of the landmark.

The bronze plaque on the front of the building reads as follows:

Yarmouth Town Hall
Dedicated June 9, 1993
Mayor – Charles Crosby, C.D.
Council
Deputy Mayor – S. Clifford Hood, Q.C.
Esther Dares    Victor Eldridge, C.D.
Gary Leach    James Stockman
Kenneth Wheelens
Town Clerk/Treasurer – Raymond E. Gallant
Solicitor – Gregory M. Warner
Contractor – Delmar Construction Limited
Architect – Anwyll Fogo Architects

The clock faces in the tower are from the old Post Office on the corner of  Main and John Streets where CIBC now stands.

Each pewter ornament (2 3/8″ dia.) is dated and identified on the reverse and comes with a card giving a history of the landmark.

Zion United Baptist Church, originally called the First Baptist Church, was built to replace the church on Main Street located near where the Cenotaph now stands. On July 18, 1895 the cornerstone was laid and on June 17, 1896 the church was dedicated. The pastor was Rev. J. H. Foshay.

The church was built by James E. Huestis of Yarmouth in “Modern Composite” style. Over the years the large rose windows and the stained glass windows were donated by parishioners as memorials to loved ones.

From 1906 on when the Baptists and Free Baptists united, the church was known as Zion United Baptist Church.

It was this congregation which in the nineteenth century helped establish several Baptist churches in Yarmouth Town and County, thus Zion United Baptist Church was regarded as the mother church of the area. In 1997 the congregation celebrated its 200th anniversary. The church was demolished in 2014 because of structural concerns.