Industrial history in Nova Scotia extends back to the early 18th century, when the first commercial mine in North America opened at Port Morien to help supply the French fortifications at Louisbourg. Indeed, the availability of coal and its possible extraction were also noted by early British cartographers and surveyors like J.F.W. Desbarres. Despite this early history, the true development of the provincial mining industry did not occur until the 19th century, when the British crown assigned a coal lease to the General Mining Association monopoly in 1826. This announcement spurred a flurry of development across the province, as new mines were capitalized, and shafts were sunk from Cape Breton to Cumberland County. 

In this presentation, the 19th century of industrialization in the province of Nova Scotia is examined with particular attention to the development of the coal, iron, and steel industries. Tracing this lineage from the formation of the G.M.A. to the breakup of the monopoly during the free enterprise period and the consolidation of large international firms like the Dominion Coal Company, Nova Scotia’s industrial history provides insight into the shape of provincial economy at the turn of the 20th century. A macro-analysis of these historical changes will be provided along with attention to now Nova Scotian workers experienced and responded to industrialization and urbanization as the modern province took shape.