History
Smith’s Cove is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the in Digby County. Nestled along the shores of the beautiful Annapolis Basin, the village of Smith’s Cove was originally named “Seegeeguneegunk” or place of the canvas tents by the local Mikmaq Indians.
Smith’s Cove dates to 1759, when Colonel Jonathon Hoar of Massachusetts received a land grant of 500 acres from the mouth of Bear River to a cove at the south-east end of Joggin. Joseph Potter, a British subject , was the first to settle there in 1763 but exchanged his grant in 1783 with that of Joseph Smith for whom the community was later named. A thriving settlement based on farming, fishing and trade was established by Loyalist emigrants. At the turn of the 20th century one of the principal industries was tourism , as American visitors discovered the “invigorating and healthful” climate afforded by the coves location along the waters of the Annapolis Basin. (fr. Historic Digby, Images of our Past by Mike Parker)
The cove remains a popular destination for tourists during the summer, with two large campgrounds and seven motels, inns and cottages. Smith’s Cove has a number of beaches, and beach-combing is a favourite activity. The Look Off has views of the Annapolis Basin, Bear River and Digby Gut. The Annapolis Valley Trail System, which follows the abandoned Dominion Atlantic Railway bed, is used by hikers, bikers and ATVers.
The Smith’s Cove Old Temperance Hall Museum is located in the Old Meeting House on Highway 1 and has displays dating back to the 18th Century. Nearby is the Smiths Cove War Memorial. The Smith’s Cove Baptist Church and the Smith’s Cove Fire Hall are active in the community and are located side by side on North Old Post Road.