Gold

The Golden Age of the eastern shore of Nova Scotia lasted from 1880 to the first decade of the 1900's when gold mines were established at Harrigan Cove, Ecum Secum, Moose Head, and inland from Port Dufferin.

Gold was discovered in 1868 at Harrigan Cove. Mining operations did not begin until 1875, when 15 tons of quartz were crushed and yielded over 9 ounces of gold. Gold was not extracted in large until 1899; of the 7944 ounces of gold mined there, 7490 ounces were extracted in the period from 1899 to 1904. There were four mining companies at Harrigan Cove employing 138 men in 1901. The wages for a dynamite man were $1.50 per day, strikers, $1.35 for a ten hour day. Some men were paid 90 cents and others 85 cents per day.

Gold was discovered at Ecum Secum in 1862. In 1879, after initial prospecting, a few tons of quartz were crushed. Even though the results were favourable no further work was done. There was some work done in the early 1900's, but after 1907 there was nothing done but surface work and prospecting. The total amount of gold from this mine was 1276 ounces.

Gold was discovered at Moose Head in 1872. The mine operated at the turn of the century, in 1910 and the last half of the 1930's yielding only 471 ounces of gold.

The four villages were greatly affected by the gold mines and declined in prosperity after their closures resulting in the emigration of the local people in search of work.

A more complete story on gold in Nova Scotia can be found at the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources, Minerals and Energy Branch, Information Series