Stellarton

Originally called Coal Mines Station, and later Albion Mines, this Pictou County town was  finally named "Stellarton" when it was incorporated in 1889. Stellarton's name is derived from “stellarite,” a form of shale which gives off “stars of fire” from its flames. This makes this town's name origin the coolest in Nova Scotia. 

Town Hall and Public Library

The town was founded in the 1790s after the Foord coal seam was discovered. The main industries in Stellarton are mining and a grocery store empire, which has its headquarters in this Pictou County town. Sobeys, the second largest grocery chain in Canada, had its beginnings in Stellarton in 1907, and last year had $24 billion in sales. Today Stellarton has a population of 4,208. 

I visited Stellarton on August 19th, and here's what I found:

1. Selfie – Took a picture in front of the town's welcome sign on North Foord Street at the town's entrance from New Glasgow.

2. Visitor’s Centre – No Visitor's Centre in Stellarton (the closest one is Westville), although there was some information and pamphlets at the entrance of the museum. 

Andre's Pizza and Seats

3. Museum – Did a tour of the Museum of Industry. A fascinating and interactive museum, showcasing the history of Nova Scotia's ingenuity, ambition and hard work.

4. Food – Enjoyed a spinach salad and some mozza sticks at Andre's Pizza and Seats on South Foord Street.

5. Drink – Backstage Brewing was closed when I visited, and not available at Andre's, so I choose a Blueberry Blonde from Sober Island Brewing Company in Sheet Harbour.

6. Public Space – There are several parks and sporting facilities in Stellarton, but I found the Town Square quite beautiful.

7. Art – The town is full of well-dressed whimsical fire hydrants, but I found the soccerball painted boulder at the soccer field rather interesting.

8. Swag – Picked up a wooden Stellarton keychain at the Museum of Industry.

When should you go? Check out the Stellarton Homecoming Festival (July).

A little bit of trivia: The oldest surviving locomotive in Canada is called Samson. Built in 1838, this steam engine was used to transport coal along the Albion Rail Line, which ran from Stellarton to New Glasgow. Today it is preserved at the Nova Scotia Museum of Industry in Stellarton.

Up next: In 1873, a mining disaster in this next town killed 70 men. Find out where on Wednesday.