Cole Harbour County Home: Uncomfortable Truths Yesterday & Today

By SG Williams

The Cole Harbour County Home arose from the poor farms and work houses early in Nova Scotia's history. It operated from 1887 until it closed in 2002, except for a brief period when residents were relocated after a fire and new buildings were constructed. Eventually it became the Halifax County Hospital and then the Cole Harbour Regional Rehabilitation Centre accredited for the treatment of patients with mental health issues.It was ravaged by fire again in 2010 while abandoned and demolished in 2011. It is now the site of a proposed park development.

This County Home was considered one of the better run institutions of its kind. It received much public scrutiny by politicians, volunteers and the press. Who these residents were, why they were incarcerated there and how they survived, is a particularly sad story. As a result, it acquired a reputation for scandals and infamy that played a role in how it was remembered. The story of this home deserves attention as a window into who we are as a society. The lessons learned in its long history, are apropos for what is happening in the world today.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1069186724
• ISBN13: 9781069186720
• Release Date: June 2026
• Publisher: Heart's Discovery
• Length: 122 Pages
• Weight: 0.26 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.0" x 8.0"