Where to start? ... I could type for days and still not do our island justice. Suffice it to say that your first visit here will only whet your appetite...you'll just have to come back and visit again.

To define present day Cape Island I guess I would use 4 words 1."God", 2."our Ancestors", 3."the Sea", and 4."People".

#1 GOD:
Driving around the Island today, one quickly notices all the churches...10 at last count, 8 Baptist, 1 Wesleyan and 1 Pentecostal. Cape Island was first settled by God Fearing, Bible Believing Christians from New England, Baptists in particular so the predominant denomination here is still Baptist...although we all get along very well and share many times of fellowship together. When you come, be sure and ask us about service times... you can almost guarantee that somewhere on the island there's a church meeting each night of the week. One of our churches- The Stone Church in Clarks Harbour is open for the public throughout the summer for tours, being a small church by city standards, it is the largest here on Cape Island. The outside walls are constructed from local beach rock (it was legal then to remove them from the beaches- not now!) and the inner beams are built in the same way as the great sailing ships were built- the acoustics are great inside, and the stained glass windows are a sight to behold. Stop by and enjoy.
In front of the Church is our memorial to all the Island's War Veterans- we have sent many young men off to war, whole families of boys, some returned- some didn't. Their lives are memorialized here.

#2 Our ANCESTORS:
Our history involves the friendly Native Indians who frequented our shores with the coming and going of the seasons (and thus the food supplies), the French (most of whom were rounded up and Expelled in the great Expulsion of the 1700's), the British Loyalists, Slaves, and New Englanders.
There is an old fort here on the Island...well there was an old fort, until the Department of Highways dug it out to use as road fill...in those days (50's-60's) I guess conservation wasn't what it is today. The location is still known.
Our people have always held family ties closely and thus our island remains a treasure trove for genealogist and family tree researchers alike...so many of us have had family on this small island since it was first settled...many of us can trace our lineage back through the Mayflower descendants. The Museums on the Island have done a wonderful job of preserving the family records- both written and visual (photos and paintings)... stop into one of our museums and get lost in the past!

#3 the SEA:
Cape Island, as we locals refer to home, is a place all to itself (and we like it that way!). Most of our population make their living from the sea... either directly or indirectly. Its always been this way, hopefully it will remain this way.
Many Cape Island boys have captained ships both great and small and travelled the world on the seas. It was common at the turn-of-the Century for our men to be sailing vessels all over the world. PJ's Great Grandfather Anderson regularly took ships to the West Indies, and the Carribean. He would take down salted fish and bring back molasses and other staples. My Great Grandfather Smith was also an important Sea Captian travelling the world. Both our great grandfathers died at young ages... as did many men of that period...some from tropical fevers and diseases to which they had no immunity, others to the hazards to the seafarring life. Many local boys crewed these ships- these great masted sailing vessels- leaving their families and loved ones for months at a time. Because communication was by word of mouth, or letter- getting word home was slow and not all that reliable...families routinely went for weeks, and even months without hearing from their men... sometimes they never heard from them again- for such is the life of the seafarer. While many of our boys (and wives, daughters and children too) were lost to the sea, the shores and shoals of Cape Sable have also claimed innumerable lives through history. In our office, you'll notice a chart of most of the known ship wrecks off our shores, the count is staggering, and begins in the 1600's...and continues to this day.
Because of the location of our Island- being the southern-most tip of Nova Scotia, we are close to the major shipping lanes- all sea traffic between North America and Europe passes our coast and thus gives opportunity for diaster. (as a "point" of interest- thousands of airplanes daily use the Hawk- the tip of Cape Island- as their last land navigation point of reference) Many ships- large and small, have foundered on the shoals and sand bars of Cape Sable...where the currents run swift and hard, and where a large vessel can be torn into pieces within hours.
One of the most horrific wrecks was that of the Hungarian- a passenger and cargo ship from England to New York which was lost on the Cape in 1860. During a terrible winter storm she ran aground off the Hawk. The people living on the Hawk could hear the screams, see the people clinging to the masts and see the vessel sinking and being ripped apart, from the shore- but were totally powerless to help them. By morning light all 206 souls aboard the vessel were lost. All along the Hawk beach the dead washed up, along with the expensive cargoes she carried- fine silks and linens, porcelains, and chinas...it is said that the women of Cape Island had the most beautiful dresses of anyone that year- no doubt stitched from the silks the Hungarian carried. We have always been ones to hold the old adage "waste not, want not". Those bodies which were eventually recovered were given a proper Christian burial at the cemetery located just as you turn down to the Hawk...its simply marked. From reports of the time- the cargo of the Hungarian was valued at a MILLION dollars in 1860 dollars- most of it has never been recovered.
Feel free to ask us about the local books we have in our library- many of them chronicle such events.
As in days past, the Sea still calls to us... and on occasion souls are still lost to its merciless power and rage. Its deception is grand- so still, beautiful and peaceful but oh so unforgiving. As I write this page, I am reminded of the saying "the more things change, the more they stay the same" - within the last several years Cape Island has several more fishermen, one my husband's cousin. More names to add the the Memorials ... "those that go down to the sea in ships". Maybe one of the reasons our faith is so strong here on the Island is due to our seafaring heritage- for fishermen of all ages know that their lives are in God's hand when they are alone on the water, and many an 'aethist' fisherman has called out to God to save them when all other hope is lost.

*****

The present day 'industry' of our island is primarily fishing and lobstering. Boatbuilding had come in a close second, but that industry has experience a sharp decline in the past 10 years, and many of the local shops have closed, unfortunately . You can go anywhere on the Island and find a wharf...be it a government wharf or a small community wharf. Make the time to stop and talk to the fishermen, and maybe- if you're lucky- even bring home a fresh fish...caught only hours ago. In the "old days" every fisherman had his own slip or small wharf- usually near his home. Some fishermen still do- from the cottages you can see two of these 'personal' wharves- still in use today. The government wharves provide a great vantage point for fishing- mackerel and pollock swim in close to the wharves and can be easily caught with a fishing rod...it makes for a great way to pass an evening and who knows- maybe you'll even be able to provide the fish for dinner. What would the wharves be without boats- and we have plenty of them too.
When in peak production, we had about 10 boatbuilding shops- producing fibreglass vessels ranging in size from 10 feet to 65 feet. These shops produced the everyday, utility fishing boats as well as the "top of the line" Yachts and pleasure craft...The vessels produced on the Island are used the world-over.
We are the home of the famed "Cape Islander" boat...used all over the world because of its great sea worthiness and ability to withstand the riggers of time and tide. The debate over its creator still continues- the two local shipwrights credited with its invention once worked together so the originator of the design is now disputed, but one thing we can say for certain, it was designed and engineered by A Cape Islander.
Stop into one of the boatshops, and most likely you'll be invited on a tour...find out where the cud is, what you do in the head, and just what scuppers really are.
Of course our dependance on the sea for our livelihood also means we share in its wonderful (tasty) bounty. If you're here in the right season you can enjoy freshly caught seafoods to delite every taste- haddock, Cod, Pollock, Halibut (locally, HALL-a-bud), lobster, shrimp, scallop (SCALL-ups), maybe even a slice of swordfish or tuna. There's nothing any better than fresh seafood on your BBQ!

#4 Our PEOPLE:
Where would we be without our most prized feature...our people. You'll have to travel the globe far and wide to find people friendlier than Cape Islanders...but don't hurt us- or any of our loved ones ...we have been known to hold a grudge for several generations.
From these humble homes have come many great men (and women)... Authors, Poets, Painters, Sculptors, Sea Captians, Doctors, etc...
When visiting Clarks Harbour- stop by and see the Stone Lion, carved by John Nickerson at age 16, Mr Nickerson went on to become a reknown sculptor and artist in California... producing highly sought after wares. Did you know that the first mayor of Oregon was a Cape Islander? We have even been involved in the early gold rush days in Australia...we are everywhere.
While you are here on the Island, make sure that you talk to the locals- we love to "yarn" and even though some of us speak with more of an accent than others, you'll quickly pick it up. One of the best things about living on Cape Island is that no matter where you are, or who you are with, you are always with friends. We may be one of the few places left where the people are still legitimately friendly, and still care.

These four "Treasures" of our Island may top the list, but there's lots more treasure to be enjoyed. I'm sure you'll find a few more treasures if you 'dig' around while you're here.

OUR OTHER TREASURES:
Beaches
Birds
Museums
Services & Businesses

BEACHES:
Cape Island boasts several (no less than 5) beautiful WHITE SAND Beaches within our 3mile x 5mile frame... these are some of the best, cleanest, uncrowded beaches you will ever have the pleasure of enjoying. The waters are cool (some would say cold) crystal clear, and free from dangers such as under tows, currents, cross currents. Although, as with any body of water, caution must be taken and safety precautions followed.
Come for the day- bring a picnic lunch, a towel, and a sand bucket...build sand castles, watch the tide ebb & flow, enjoy the shorebirds, soak in the sun, inhale the clean sea air, beach comb and treasure hunt, paint, draw and read...

Several water sports are also becoming popular activities- sea kayaking, rowing and Scuba diving can all be enjoyed in our waters- guides are recommended.

BIRDS:
If you are a birder, a bird watcher, a bird enthusiast, an ornothologist, or just someone who enjoys watching the local bird feeder- Cape Island is definately the place for you! Last year we were designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA)...we list over 300 species on our counts...and frequently play host to a wide variety of strays and rarities. We also claim the only documented pair of nesting Oyster Catchers in North America...at the Hawk (isn't that an approprite place name for birding!) During the summer months the viewing is good, but not as exciting and varied as it is in the fall through spring season... when storms blow birds off course and onto our waiting shoreline.
This year we are hosting what will hopefully become an annual event- the Brant Festival. During February and March the coast along the Hawk, Southside and Clarks Harbour becomes the feeding grounds and temporary home to thousands,and thousands of BRANT (a small goose). It is not uncommon to see 10,000 of these magnificent birds feeding along the shore. Each night at dusk there is the "Fly Away"- the spectacle of all the birds departing for their nesting areas- within minutes they all leave. Its an amazing sight!
The nearby islands (Bon Portage and Seal Island) are home to birding stations and banding sites - and provide a special insight into the bird habitats.

MUSEUMS:
While on Cape Island, be sure and spend a day or two in our museums- there is so much of the old way of life catalogued and displayed here. In the Archelaus Smith Museum, in Centreville- you'll find daily household implements, boats, tools and almost everything else on display as well as tons of genealogical documents and photos, records and deeds. For the family researcher this truly is a treasure trove of information. Ask about the relics that came frrom the Hungarian, and be sure to check out the paintings of one of best known artists- Manton Nickerson.
While in Clarks Harbour be certain to stop in to the Heritage Seaside Center...a restored 3 storey former IOOF Hall in the center of Town. The town has made wonderful progress in the last few years, securing grants to complete the hall restoration as well as other improvements- the boardwalk being one. As witht the Archelaus- the Seaside Heritage Hall features a glimpse into our past, throughout the season there will also be changing displays and presentations... be sure to ask whats coming up. Last year, the quilt show was a success as well as the display of Manton Mickerson Paintings. Mr. Nickerson a deaf mute, was self taught and became a leading seascape artist of his time. On the second floor of the hall you'll see two wall murals painted for the IOOF hall in the early 1900's- recovered from several remodels of the building, preserved under layers of sheet rock, wall papers and paint...this stand testament to his great skill. The Stone Church and the Archelaus Smith Museum also proudly display his works- be sure to see them.

SERVICES & BUSINESSES:
Other services on the Island include a full Service Restaurant, Seafood Take-Out, small Grocery Store, a Bank, Laundromat, Christian Bookstore, Public Library with Public Internet access, Hair Salons, Florist Shop, Scrapbooking Store, Tennis Court, Garage & Gas Stations, Fire Department and Ambulance Service, a Full Service Post Office, car detailing services, pet grooming, Nova Scotia Duck Toller (Little River dog) Breeders, Bird and water fowl carvers, folk artists, painters, and more.