Halifax City Hall, Nova Scotia
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Halifax City Hall, built in 1890.
Design
Designed by Edward Elliot and constructed for the City of Halifax between 1887 and 1890; it is one of the oldest and largest public buildings in Nova Scotia and is a designated National Historic Site of Canada.[2] In 1981, it was also listed as a Municipally Registered Property under Nova Scotia's Heritage Property Act.
Designed in an eclectic, monumental style, the building is of cream and red sandstone, laid in the freestone technique. It also features granite construction on the ground floor and in the tower. The seven-storey tower has clock faces on the north and south sides. The northern face (visible in the photograph above left), is fixed at four minutes past nine to commemorate the Halifax Explosion of 1917.
The early years: 1890 to 1900
City Hall had five primary entrances in 1890. The grand entrance off of Grand Parade was the main public entrance and brought visitors onto the second floor. There were also entrances off of Argyle Street to the second floor, as well as three entrances to the first floor. One door allowed access to the building from the dry moat between the building and Grand Parade. Two doors facing Duke Street provided access to the police station that was located in the first floor until the late 1940s.
Horsemen on the Grand Parade, 1887.
The first floor originally contained the police court, policemen's rooms, office of Chief of Police, and jail cells. It was from these jail cells that Harry Houdini escaped in 1896, just six years after City Hall opened.
The main or second floor contained the auditor's office, the Board of Works, the City Clerk, the office of the Mayor, the Collector, the City Engineer, and the Treasurer. The third floor was home to the Council Chamber and the Citizens Free Library, as well as the offices of the Inspector of Licenses, the Collector of Rents and Licenses, the Foreman of Streets, and the Foreman of Water Works.
The fourth floor held a caretaker's apartment, and a space variously described as a ball room, a gallery, and a museum, though the space may simply not have been completed when the building was opened.
1900 to 1996
City Council and Department Heads, 1903. Composite photo by Notman Studio.
In 1907 stables were constructed under the north-east corner of the Grand Parade, at Barrington Street next to the dry moat. This involved the installation of one regular size door and a larger door for horses and carts in the two northernmost granite arched bays, opening onto Barrington Street.
After the Halifax Explosion, Deputy Mayor Colwell, five aldermen, and twelve citizens, including Lieutenant-Governor MacCallum Grant and Justice Harris, assembled in the City Collector's Office, which was the only room still serviceable after the explosion. An emergency joint meeting of the Members of the City Council present and Citizens in attendance was chaired by the Lieutenant-Governor, and would continue to meet there from December 1917 to late February 1918.
On May 25, 1918 a riot broke out in downtown Halifax following the arrest of an unruly and drunken sailor. Besides a besieged City Hall, the damage included a couple of turned over cars, and a police wagon and police motorcycle being thrown in the harbour.
The Citizens' Free Library was moved from place to place in the city for many years until 1890 when it was given a permanent home on the second floor of the then new City Hall. The Library closed in 1949 reopening as a part of the new Halifax Memorial Library on Spring Garden Road at Grafton Street in 1950, though the collection moved in 2014 to Halifax Central Library.[8] The space formerly occupied by the library is now split between the office of the Mayor and the CAO.
The Halifax Police moved into the Market Building on Brunswick Street in 1953 from its cramped quarters in City Hall. The police department remained on Brunswick Street until moving to their current location in the David R. McKinnon Building on Gottingen Street in the 1970s.
A citizen committee was convened to lead a substantial renovation of the building in the 1980s. Halifax Hall, a large public meeting room, was created out of a number of offices in the east wing of the second floor. A damaging coating was applied to the sandstone in the 1990s. Repairs were successfully completed in 2013.
Halifax City Hall and Grand Parade
Shot on a Google Pixel XL in #Halifax, Nova Scotia, on April 3, 2017. #HFXPoli #GrandParade
Halifax City Hall Behind the Scenes
Take a look at the secrets and areas not open to the public. Find out who escaped from a jail cell in City Hall; and who roams still. Check out the stone restoration complete with carving done by hand. Learn why the clock tower is set to 9:05. The video was produced for the Doors Open Halifax event held in June, 2013.
Mini tour of downtown Halifax
Halifax has so much to offer the local student community. The Welcome Ambassadors did a quick tour of some of their favourite places to relax and have fun so that you can get a better idea of what your future city home will be like.
Halifax The Capital City of Nova Scotia
A documentary about the various attractions of Canada. Today's programme is about Halifax the capital city of Nova Scotia the second-smallest province in Canada. Presentation of MTA studios Canada.
Halifax airport to halifax city
Storm day
Halifax - Amazing Landmarks and Architecture | Halifax Travel Vlog
Halifax is the capital city of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, and there are a lot of amazing landmarks and architecture to discover in downtown. Many historic sights to check out include (but not limited to) the Halifax Citadel, the famous Old Town Clock, St. Paul's Anglican Church, Halifax City Hall, and the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. When admiring the historic architecture of the city, don't forget to check out the more modern architecture including the Halifax Central Library. While sightseeing in Halifax, visiting the Halifax Public Gardens and the Halifax Waterfront along the harbour is the perfect way to relax and unwind. To get that impressive view of the Halifax cityscape especially at sunset, make sure to take the ferry over to Dartmouth along the Dartmouth Harbourwalk.
Special thanks to fellow traveller CanadianKelsey for giving me an itinerary to follow while checking out Halifax:
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Halifax City Hall Restoration Part 1
In this video we meet restoration Project Manager Scott Smith, and learn why it is so important to preserve the centerpiece of our great city.
Halifax City Hall and Grand Parade Project
On August 16th, 2015 AVC carried out Aerial coverage of Halifax’s City Hall and Grand Parade. The purpose of this flight was to assist SDMM in capturing a high definition low altitude imagery of the entire site to facilitate 3D modeling of the area.
visit us at AeroVisionCanada.com
Halifax Central Library | Tour | 2017 | Nova Scotia | Canada
The Halifax Central library is located in Downtown Halifax on Spring Garden and Queen Streets. This brand new building is a work of art, and has won many awards. Only a few years old, this building was put up and now has become an icon for the city.
The library has everything you want from a library (books) but also has things such as computer use, theater, study sections and views. There are patios at the front and back of the building, plus holds two areas you can get coffee (Pavia).
If you are in Halifax, make sure you put this place on your list of top things to see in the city.
360 Degrees of Halifax City Hall and Grand Parade [Travelling Foodie]
Things To Do in Halifax: Halifax City Hall and Grand Parade, a historic square used for parades and military drills.
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Halifax: Canada's Ocean City - The Force of Tidal
Halifax, Nova Scotia is a leader in ocean technology. Tom Knox, General Manager of MacArtney Canada Ltd., talks about their work with FORCE (Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy) to generate renewable energy for Nova Scotia. InvestInHalifax.com
Walking Tour of Halifax, NS ©
The photographs of the “Walking Tour” of Halifax, NS were inspired by the late Lou Collin’s guide to “Halifax Walking tour.”
Downtown Halifax - Nova Scotia
Halifax is a very friendly city and all of the downtown attractions are in easy walking distance of each other (no more than a twenty-five minute walk) will get you from the Public Gardens to Ferry Terminal on the waterfront.
Halifax Transit (current as of Oct. 2018)
If visiting Halifax be sure to take the ferry from Halifax to either Alderney or Woodside (fare $2.50). Ask for a transfer as it is good for the return trip although you do have to disembark the ferry and walk around to catch the ferry back to Halifax.
If flying into Stanfield International Airport and you do not have a lot of luggage catch the MetroX bus #320 to downtown Halifax the fare is only $3.50. If you do have luggage it is best to avoid rush hour both inbound and outbound during the work week.
Music:
Misty Light – Martin Hall
Music by Epidemic Sound (
Is the City of Halifax a dangerous place to live?
Is the City of Halifax a dangerous place to live?
Downtown Halifax from 17 floors up
Shot on a Google Pixel 2 XL on June 2, 2018, on the TD Centre's 17th floor in #Halifax, #NovaScotia. The floor was opened for Doors Open Halifax. #DOH2018 #DoorsOpenHFX #DowntownHalifax
Zebra Dies Crossing Street at Halifax City Hall in Nova Scotia
See full report here.
These reports are useful anywhere for reference and research. Located in Halifax Nova Scotia Canada
Driving in a Halifax Blizzard, February 13, 2017
Driving around the Halifax peninsula during a blizzard on February 13, 2017.
0:00 Queen and Spring Garden; former site of the Bank of Montreal, Rogue's Roost bar, and the original Tom's Little Havana.
0:27 Spring Garden Place (left),
0:30 Park Lane (right)
0:36 Lord Nelson Hotel (right)
0:42 Victoria Park (left), Public Gardens (right)
3:46 Dalhousie University (left)
4:23 University of King's College (left)
4:53 Oxford Street
5:23 Saint Thomas Aquinas Church (right)
5:59 Shaar Shalom Synagogue (right)
6:01 Oxford Theatre
6:29 Quinpool Road
6:45 West End United Baptist Church (right)
8:21 Atlantica Hotel (right)
8:24 The Willowtree (nickname for the intersection Robie Street, Quinpool Road, Bell Road, and Cogswell Street)
9:30 Bell Road
9:41 QEII Health Sciences Centre (right)
9:47 CBC Television Halifax (right)
9:58 Citadel High School (ahead and left)
10:06 Museum of Natural History (right)
10:19 Halifax Junior Bengal Lancers (right)
10:32 Citadel High School (left), Citadel Hill (right)
12:36 Halifax Common (left)
12:56 Halifax Armoury (right)
13:10 Agricola Street
16:16 Oland Brewery (right)
17:22 Young Street
19:02 Windsor Street
19:13 Halifax Forum (left)
20:03 Faith Tabernacle Church (right)
21:44 St. Antonio's Church (right)
22:26 St. Vincent's Nursing Home (right)
22:47 Atlantica Hotel (ahead)
22:57 Quinpool Road
23:52 Vernon Street
26:16 Coburg Road
26:41 Lemarchant Street
26:41-29:00 Dalhousie University
26:56 Killam Memorial Library (right)
26:56 Marion McCain Arts and Social Sciences Building (left)
27:39 Dalhousie Student Union Building (right)
27:51 Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building (right)
27:58 Dalhousie Arts Centre Rebecca Cohn Auditorium (left)
28:11 Goldberg Computer Science Building (right)
28:11 Schulich School of Law (left)
28:22 Nova Scotia Public Archives (right)
28:35 Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Station 2 (right)
28:46 Dalhousie Faculty of Dentistry (left)
28:53 IWK Health Centre
28:58 Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation (left)
29:17 IWK Children's Hospital (right)
29:26 Nova Scotia Rehabilitation and Arthritis Centre (left)
29:45 Victoria General Hospital (right)
30:03 Victoria Park (left)
30:18 South Park Street
30:25 Holy Cross Cemetery (left)
31:43 Young Avenue
33:13 Driver stuck in the snow
33:40 Point Pleasant Park (ahead and left)
34:19 Tower Road
35:41-37:49 St. Mary's University(left)
36:20 Halifax Grammar School (right)
37:06 Inglis Street
37:37 Inglis Street Elementary (right)
37:56 Robie Street
38:27 Gorsebrook Junior High School (right)
38:59 Dalhousie Faculty of Dentristy (right)
40:27 Camp Hill Cemetery (right)
41:06 Camp Hill Veterans Memorial Hospital (left)
42:10 Wanderer Grounds (ahead)
42:38 Public Gardens (left)
43:35 Sacred Heart School (right), Spring Garden Road
44:56 Lord Nelson Hotel (left)
46:22 Halifax Public Library (right)
46:41 Dalhousie Sexton Campus (right)
46:39 Nova Scotia Provincial Court (right)
46:45 St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica (left)
46:52 The Old Burying Ground (right)
47:10 Barrington Street
48:16 St. Paul's Anglican Church (left)
48:26 Grand Parade (left)
48:36 City Hall (left)
49:05 Duke Street
49:07 Granville Square (left)
49:09 Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University (left)
49:16 Nova Scotia Court of Appeal (ahead)
49:24 Hollis Street
49:36 Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (left)
49:37 Province House, Nova Scotia Legislative Assembly (right)
51:09 Four Points Sheraton Hotel (right), Courtyard by Mariott Hotel (left)
52:33 The Westin Nova Scotian Hotel, VIA Rail station (left then on right)
52:09 Lower Water Street, Discovery Centre (right)
54:03 Alexander Keith's (left)
54:36 Maritime Museum of the Atlantic (right)
55:00 Halifax Transit Ferry Terminal (right)
55:14 Historic Properties (right)
55:22 Halifax Mariott Harbourfront Hotel (right)
55:24 Cogswell Interchange
56:07 Homewood Suites Hilton Hotel (left)
56:17 Halifax Regional Police Headquarters (left)
56:21 Centennial Pool (ahead, left)
56:30 Gottingen Street
56:50 Global Television Halifax (left)
56:56 Metropolitan Regional Housing Authority (right)
57:01 Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre (left)
57:13 Dalhousie Legal Aid (right)
58:23 North Memorial Public Library (right)
59:07 Canadian Forces Base Stadacona (right)
1:00:07 St. Mark's Anglican Church (left)
1:00:08 Shambhala School (right)
1:01:13 Hydrostone Market (right)
1:03:15 Getting stuck in the snow
1:06:32 Canadian Forces Base Windsor Park (right)
1:06:42 Royal Canadian Mounted Police (right)
1:07:47 Oxford Street
1:09:57 North Street Gospel Hall (right)
1:10:03 Oxford School (left)
1:11:33 Oxford Theatre (right)
1:14:58 Dalhousie University (left), University of King's College (left)
1:15:20 Beth Israel Synagogue (right)
1:15:30 Ambrae Academy (right)
1:15:41 First Baptist Church (right)
1:16:24 Wickwire Field
1:16:27 Dalplex
1:17:38 IWK Health Centre (left), Gorsebrook Junior High School (right)
1:17:56 IWK Children's Hospital (left)
1:18:43 Victoria General Hospital (left)
Halifax In Motion
My home, Halifax, set into motion with time lapse.
View my lightbox of all things Haligonian available for license via iStock:
Best Time To Visit or Travel to Halifax, Nova Scotia
Short video slide show describing when the best time to visit this city based on weather and climate.
Some photos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons and others purchased from canstockphoto.com.