Description Spent the day on McNab's Island McNab's Island is located at the mouth of Halifax Harbour in Nova Scotia. The island provide a glimpse into Nova Scotia's colorful past. McNabs Island is about 5 km long and up to 1.5 km wide, its 400 ha (1000 acres) present a combination of historical, natural resources and outstanding recreational and educational opportunities. It is about 25 minutes by tour boat from downtown Halifax, or 5 minutes from Eastern Passage. Shell middens from about 1600 years ago are evidence of pre-European Mi'kmaq use of the islands. Around 1700 the French were using the island as a fishing center. They planned to build "Louisbourg' here but in 1713 ceded mainland Nova Scotia to the British. With the founding of Halifax in 1749 the senior British officer granted most of Cornwallis' Island to his nephews. In 1782 it was purchased by Peter McNab for o1000, and parts stayed in the family for 150 years. Tenant farmers cleared the land and assisted in the raising of sheep. The land was divided among Peter's heirs, and over the years parcels were sold. By 1860 the range of artillery had increased. To better defend Halifax the Admiralty bought the southern end of the island and the Fort Ives site and began a series of fortifications, the remains of which are part of the attraction of McNabs. Most of the northern end remained in private hands. From about 1870 through 1930 the island was a popular recreational destination for the people of Halifax as thousands <b>...</b>
