Yarmouth, N.S.

Yarmouth County

The name Yarmouth first appeared as a projected township in Nova Scotia in 1759. There is some speculation it was named after Yarmouth, Massachusetts, as some of the earliest English settlers arrived from Cape Cod on 9 June 1761. It is more likely the Township was named after Lady Yarmouth, a mistress of King George II. Originally the area was part of Lunenburg County. In 1761 it became part of Queens County; in 1784 part of Shelburne County and finally became a county on its own in 1836. The description of Yarmouth County was modified in 1846. In the 20th Century, Yarmouth was the site of creation for the Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever. The largest town is Yarmouth which is one of three municipalities that comprise the county. The others are the District of the Municipality of Yarmouth and the District of the Municipality of Argyle. The latter was established as a separate district in 1856 from the Township of Argyle. The county also includes the Acadia First Nations, Yarmouth Reserve 33.a

The Municipality lies in the western part of Yarmouth County in Nova Scotia. It covers an area of 593.28 sq. kms [396.66 sq. mi.]. On the north and east it is bordered by the Municipalities of Clare (Digby County) and Argyle and on the west and south by the Bay of Fundy. For map view click here. The coastline to the west is a winding sequence of sandy beaches, low cliffs, and small working harbours sheltered by protective breakwaters. Painters and photographers are drawn to the scenic fishing villages of Pembroke and Sandford, which may have the world's smallest drawbridge. To the south where three rocky points of land project into the sea and expanses of salt marsh meadow soften the shoreline, the coastal landscape is more dramatic. In stormy weather and in fog, the maze of capes, islands and hidden shoals endangered seamen navigating Schooner Passage and necessitated building a network of lighthouses of which the Yarmouth Light at Cape Forchu is the most celebrated.

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