Accommodations Nova Scotia
Your Guide To Accommodations In Nova Scotia
Bear River, Nova Scotia
Bear River is a small village situated at the head of the Bear
River. The river itself is the border between the Annapolis and
Digby counties of Nova Scotia and thus, splits the village so that
half the village is in one county and the other half in the other.
The Bear River rises and falls more than 20 feet with each tide
change, pushed upstream by the Bay of Fundy influence. There are two
primary bridges which span the Bear River. The longest bridge is the
Bear River Bridge located on Highway 101 at the mouth of the river
(which drains into the Annapolis Basin), approximately 6 km from the
village. The second bridge is located in downtown Bear River and
connects the two halves of the village together.
The village is also conjoined with a First Nations Reservation (also
called Bear River). This eclectic community is a traditional home to
the Mi’Kmaq peoples and now boasts the largest artistic community in
Nova Scotia.
Bear River is noted for its picturesque old buildings on stilts
along the riverside. The scenery has made it popular with
photographers and a tourism destination. Bear River is
affectionately known as "the Switzerland of Nova Scotia" because of
the steep hills which surround the village.
Bear River was an important shipbuilding location in the late 1800s.
One of many large vessels built in the village was the brigantine
Dei Gratia, the vessel which discovered the famous mystery ship Mary
Celeste in 1872.
The climate and soil conditions in the Bear River area are conducive
to the growing of grapes and several vineyards have emerged. The
unique topography of this settlement also hosts the newest winery in
the province and the largest collection of vineyards on the Fundy
Coast.
Bear River is home to the first solar aquatics waste water
management facility in North America; however, for reasons unknown
the facility was altered by the Municipality of Annapolis in 2004
and, regrettably, is no longer fully utilizing solar aquatic
technology.
The community is known for its thriving artistic community, the
largest per capita in Nova Scotia. There are many artist studios,
shops and galleries in the downtown and immediate area. Tour nearly two dozen individual studios, watch the artists
at work, and shop for truly unique gifts. Crafts produced
include clothing, woodwork, pottery, quilts, fibre items, and an
assortment of painted media.
The village is run by volunteers as there is no town government. The
Bear River Board of Trade is the primary organization to pursue
economic development and also maintains the waterfront park and
Visitor Information Center.
The Bear River Historical Society operates the Bear River Heritage
Museum which is open through the summer and early fall with displays
of historical photos, archival materials and artifacts of the rich
history of the area.
The village is working to become an eco-village in its determination
to remain low-tech, with no fast food, malls or box stores, and the
exploration of alternative energy sources.
