History of Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada

1704 - Attacked
June 20: Benjamin Church (1639-1718), with 700 men, three warships and fourteen transports, burned Les Mines (Grand Pre), took Cobequid (Truro) and Piziquid (Pigiguit), and wasted Beaubassin, Acadia. They laid siege to Port Royal but they refused to surrender, and the English (speaking people) departed.

www.telusplanet.net/public/ dgarneau/french26.htm

1750 - Fort Edward, Windsor, Nova Scotia is built this year.

www.telusplanet.net/ public/ dgarneau/ french35.htm

1820 - Church of St. John the Evangelist established at Windsor

www.gcatholic.org

1873
WINDSOR, a seaport town of Nova Scotia, capital of the co. of Hants, on an arm of Minas Basin, which sets up far into the interior of the province, and on the W. k A. R., 45 miles N.W. of Halifax, 84 miles front Annapolis. It is the seat of King's College, the principal educational institution in Nova Scotia, and is a place of commercial importance in consequence of the extensive mines of limestone, gypsum and other valuable minerals abounding in its vicinity. The town contains 6 churches, 2 Episcopal, 1 Malmo Catholic, 1 Wesleyan,1 Presbyterian and 1 Baptist, 1 branch bank, an iron foundry, several mills and factories, a printing office issuing a weekly newspaper, a telegraph office, and a number of stores. The streets of Windsor are lighted with gas. It is a port of entry. The total number of arrivals for 1872 was 313 (tons 47,233), and the clearances 387 (tons 59,301). Total value of imports $201,930; exports $94,193. Pop. 3,000.
Lovell's gazetteer of British North America; J. Lovell; Montreal, 1873

1895 - Windsor
Windsor, a seaport town of Nova Scotia, capital of the co. of Hants, on an arm of Minas Bay, which sets up far into the interior of the province, and on the Windsor & Annapolis Railway, 45 miles N.W. of Halifax, and 84 miles from Annapolis. It is the seat of King's College, the oldest educational institution in Nova Scotia, and is a place of commercial importance in consequence of the extensive mines of limestone, gypsum, and other valuable minerals abounding in its vicinity. The town contains 6 churches, 3 banks, an iron-foundry, several mills, factories, and ship yards, and 3 newspaper offices. The streets of Windsor are lighted with electric light. It is a port of entry. As a shipping port it ranks second in the Dominion. Pop. 3000.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1897 - BIG FIRE IN WINDSOR, N.S. - Territory a Mile Square Swept by Flames and Barely Half a Dozen Buildings Left Standing.
LOSS ESTIMATED AT $3,000,000

Practically All the Inhabitants of the Town Homeless - Conflagration Started at 3 o'Clock in the Morning.

WINDSOR, N. S., Oct. 17. - Historic Windsor, one of the most beautiful towns in the provinces, was devastated by fire this morning. The fire raged for six hours, beginning a little before 3 o'clock, the flames all the while being fanned by a violent northwest gale.

Long before noon the town had been almost completely destroyed, the area covered by the flames being almost a mile square. Of the four hundred or more buildings occupying this section barely half a dozen scorched structures remain. All is a waste of ruins.

The buildings that escaped include the Windsor cotton factory, King's College, the Anglican Church, Edgehill School for Girls, and the Dufferin Hotel. The Dufferin Hotel is the only hotel left standing.

No other Nova Scotia town ever has been visited by a conflagration of such dimensions.

Over 3,000 Homeless.

Of the... Read MORE...

1906
Windsor, a banking town and port of entry, capital of Hants co., Nova Scotia, on an arm of Minas Bay and on the Dominion Atlantic and the Midland Rs., 45 miles NW. of Halifax. It is the seat of King's College, the oldest educational institution in Nova Scotia (chartered in 1788), and is a place of commercial importance in consequence of the extensive mines of limestone, gypsum, and other valuable minerals abounding in its vicinity. The town has cotton-mills, an iron-foundry, plaster-works, ship-chandleries, etc. It ranks second among the ship-owning ports of the Dominion. The town was visited by a destructive conflagration in 1897. Pop. in 1901, 3398.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

Windsor
Windsor, NS, incorporated as a town in 1878, population 3785 (2011c), 3709 (2006c). The Town of Windsor is located in central Nova Scotia, at the mouth of the Avon and St Croix rivers. Its short distance from HALIFAX (66 km) has long made Windsor a town of commuters.

History
It was first settled by ACADIANS in 1684 and was called Pisiquid, a name of Micmac origin. The English township of Windsor (after Windsor, England) was established in 1764, and wealthy Halifax businessmen and politicians were granted land here.

During the AMERICAN REVOLUTION, troops were kept at Windsor's Fort Edward to ensure the loyalty of Annapolis Valley residents. Following the war, many LOYALISTS came to the town. They farmed, traded and opened shops, disrupting the pastoral luxury of the big Windsor estates. In 1789 Bishop Charles INGLIS established the UNIVERSITY OF KING'S COLLEGE, the oldest English-language university in Canada. It is now located in Halifax.
Windsor thrived during the 1800s,... Read MORE...

Here's a list of places to visit and activities to enjoy in and around Windsor:
1. Fort Edward National Historic Site:

Explore the well-preserved fortifications that played a significant role in Canada's military history during the 18th century.

Learn about the town's history, military tactics, and the people who lived here through interactive exhibits and guided tours.

2. Haliburton House Museum:

Step back in time at this beautifully restored historic home once owned by Thomas Chandler Haliburton, a prominent 19th-century author.

Marvel at the period furnishings, artwork, and artifacts that provide insight into life in the Victorian era.

3. Avon River Heritage Museum:

Discover the cultural heritage of the Avon River region through exhibits that showcase the area's agricultural and industrial history.

Don't miss the fascinating collection of steam engines and agricultural machinery.

4. Windsor Hockey Heritage Centre:

If you're a hockey fan, this museum is a must-visit. Learn about the town's deep connection to the sport, including... Read MORE...