Phase I - Halifax Regional Municipality

PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT 

PIDs 40258964, 00077875 & 00077438 

5515 CLYDE STREET & 1452 QUEEN STREET 

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA 

B3J 2H7 

February 17, 2009 

SLR PROJECT NO.: 210.05696.00

Colliers International 

Phase I ESA - 5515 Clyde St 1452 Queen St, Halifax, NS 

i SLR Project Ref No. 210.05696.00 

February, 2009 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

Work Objectives 

Key Information Summary 

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment to: 

• assist Colliers International in identifying potential environmental issues on 

the subject properties 

• identify potential areas of concern through historical searches 

• identify and document the potential sources of contamination 

• provide a report documenting the activities of the work completed and its 

findings. 

Work Location 

• Parking lots 

• 5515 Clyde Street, Lot 15-D Dresden Row and 1452 Queen Street, Halifax, 

NS 

• Land area approximately 7,129 m 2 

• Property Identification Numbers (PID) 40258964, 00077875 & 00077438 

Executive Summary continued on next page . . . 

SLR



ii SLR Project Ref No. 210.05696.00 


Potential Environmental Concerns 

VOCs 

• Dry cleaning operations are often responsible for the introduction of VOCs 

into the environment. A laundromat/dry cleaner is located across the street 

from the subject properties. A laundromat was formerly located in the 

southwest corner of the Queen Street property. 

Regulated Building Materials 

• Due to the age of the buildings, it is possible that the multi-unit residential 

dwelling and the pay stations buildings may contain regulated building 

materials. Prior to building demolition, a Regulated Building Materials 

Survey should be completed to assess the potential health risks for 

construction workers during demolition and to determine disposal options of 

the materials 

PCB-Containing Materials 

• There are several pole-mounted transformers on the streets surrounding the 

subject properties. No leaks were noted, however regular inspections should 

be conducted. 

Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODSs) 

• The pay stations on both subject properties house small air conditioners that 

are likely to contain ODSs. The units should be inspected prior to their 

removal and any hazardous materials must be property disposed. 

Petroleum Leaks 

• The subject properties are currently in use as public parking lots and are 

therefore susceptible to impacts caused by vehicular leaks or spills. 

Past Site Uses 

• Former buildings on the subject properties were demolished and buried onsite. 

If any building materials are uncovered during site excavations, they 

must be tested for regulated materials to determine proper disposal. 

• Several service stations were formerly located in the general area of the 

subject properties. Impacts due to historic service station activity may still be 

present on-site. 

Radon 

• The subject property is in an area that is mapped as having moderate 

uranium content. The decay of uranium produces radon gas that is harmful 

to human health. Testing for indoor radon gas should be conducted in 

existing buildings and considered in the design of any future buildings. 

Bedrock 

• Acid-generating bedrock could be present on this site. Future development 

at the site should address potential acid-generating issues. 

Executive Summary continued on next page . . . 

SLR



iii SLR Project Ref No. 210.05696.00 


Conclusion 

The work objectives were successfully completed. 

Potential areas of environmental concern were identified. 

Recommendations 

SLR recommends a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment be conducted on the subject properties to confirm the presence or absence 

of contaminants related to historic land use. 

Closure 

This Executive Summary has been included to provide a general overview of the work completed and resulting conclusions and 

recommendations. The work was completed to achieve the required objectives as outlined in Phase I ESA. 

This Executive Summary and the associated Phase I Environmental Site Assessment are intended for the sole and exclusive use of 

Colliers International and its authorized agents for the purpose(s) set out in the report. Any use of, reliance on, or decision made based 

on this report by any person other than Colliers International for any purpose, or by Colliers International for a purpose other than the 

purpose(s) set out in the report, is the sole responsibility of such other person and/or Colliers International. A full statement of conditions 

relating to the work completed is included in the Phase I ESA. 

End of Executive Summary 

SLR

Colliers International iv SLR Ref.: 210.05696.00 

Phase I ESA February 17, 2009 

5515 Clyde Street & 

1452 Queen Street, Halifax, NS 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...............................................................................................................I 

1.0 INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................1 

1.1 MANDATE AND OBJECTIVES............................................................................................1 

2.0 PROJECT METHODOLOGY AND SUMMARY OF WORK.............................................2 

3.0 SITE DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS ............................................................3 

3.1 LOCAL POTABLE WATER SUPPLIES ................................................................................3 

3.2 PRESENCE OF POTABLE WATER WELLS WITHIN ONE KILOMETRE OF THE SITE................3 

3.3 GEOLOGY/HYDROGEOLOGY............................................................................................3 

3.3.1 Regional Topography................................................................................................3 

3.3.2 Regional Geology .....................................................................................................4 

3.3.3 Regional Hydrogeology.............................................................................................4 

4.0 HISTORICAL REVIEW OF SITE ......................................................................................6 

4.1 INTERPRETATION OF AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS...................................................................6 

4.2 DOCUMENT RESEARCH ...................................................................................................7 

4.2.1 Summary of Property Titles ......................................................................................7 

4.2.2 Fire Insurance Plans ................................................................................................7 

4.2.3 Access to Information Requests ...............................................................................8 

4.3 PREVIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES..............................................................................8 

4.4 GEOLOGICAL AND GEOTECHNICAL REPORTS ..................................................................9 

5.0 SITE VISIT SUMMARY...................................................................................................10 

5.1 SOURCES OF AIR EMISSIONS ........................................................................................10 

5.2 WATER SUPPLIES AND WASTEWATER DISPOSAL...........................................................10 

5.3 WASTE AND REFUSE MANAGEMENT..............................................................................10 

5.4 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS/CHEMICAL PRODUCTS MANAGEMENT .....................................10 

5.5 MATERIAL THAT MAY CONTAIN ASBESTOS ...................................................................11 

5.6 MATERIAL/EQUIPMENT CONTAINING POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS (PCBS) ................11 

5.7 LEAD BASED PAINT ......................................................................................................11 

5.8 OZONE-DEPLETING SUBSTANCES .................................................................................12 

5.9 MERCURY.....................................................................................................................12 

5.10 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL ...............................................................................................12 

5.11 BACKFILLING MATERIALS .............................................................................................12 

5.12 RADON .........................................................................................................................12 

5.13 PESTICIDES ..................................................................................................................13 

5.14 TANKS AND OTHER OIL COMPANY INFRASTRUCTURES ..................................................13 

5.14.1 Aboveground Tanks ...............................................................................................13 

5.14.2 Underground Tanks................................................................................................13 

5.15 SPILLS OR PRESENCE OF STAINS/ODOURS....................................................................13 

5.16 IMPACTS ON ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RECEPTORS ................................................13 

6.0 CONCLUSIONS..............................................................................................................14 

7.0 RECOMMENDATIONS...................................................................................................15 

8.0 REFERENCES................................................................................................................16

Colliers International v SLR Ref.: 210.05696.00 


5515 Clyde Street & 1452 Queen Street, Halifax, NS 

LIST OF APPENDICES 

APPENDIX A: 

APPENDIX B: 

APPENDIX C: 

APPENDIX D: 

APPENDIX E: 

APPENDIX F: 

Scope and Limitations 

Property Titles, Abstract of Zoning Regulations 

Aerial Photographs 

Responses to Information Access Requests, Records of 

Communication, Previous Reports, Fire Insurance Plans 

Photographic Reporting 

Qualifications of Project Personnel 

LIST OF FIGURES 

FIGURE 1: 

FIGURE 2: 

FIGURE 3: 

FIGURE 4: 

FIGURE 5: 

Site Location Map 

Surrounding Land Use Plan 

Site Plan 

Areas of Potential Environmental Concern 

Site Photographs 

SLR

Colliers International 1 SLR Ref.: 210.05696.00 



1.0 INTRODUCTION 

SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd. (SLR) conducted a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment 

(ESA) at 5515 Clyde Street, Lot 15-D Dresden Row, and 1452 Queen Street in Halifax, Nova 

Scotia, on February 3, 2009 (Drawing 1). The properties are owned by Halifax Regional 

Municipality (HRM) and are identified by Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations as 

property identification (PIDs) numbers 00077875, 40258964 & 00077438 respectively. 

Together, these three parcels comprise the “subject properties” as discussed herein. 

The Phase I ESA has been prepared to provide Colliers International (Colliers) with a 

professional opinion of the potential for environmental liabilities associated with the property. 

Based on a review of historical records, it is likely that the area was developed during the initial 

settlement of Halifax in the late 1700’s for commercial/residential purposes. Historical aerial 

photographs and city directories indicate that the adjacent properties and surrounding areas 

were developed prior to the publishing of the detailed records and plans typically reviewed for 

such an assessment. At the time of the Phase I ESA, the subject properties were occupied by 

parking lots, each with a small pay station building, and one multi-unit residential dwelling. 

The Phase I ESA was conducted and prepared by Raissa Collicutt, Environmental Technologist, 

and reviewed by Craig Chandler, Senior Project Manager. Both are experienced in the field of 

Phase I ESAs and related environmental investigations. Qualifications of project personnel are 

presented in Appendix F. 

Ms. Collicutt completed the site reconnaissance on the subject properties on February 3, 2009. 

The properties are in use as public parking lots. Site access was unlimited with the exception of 

the multi-unit residential dwelling, which was viewed from the exterior only. Ms. Collicutt was not 

escorted during the assessment. 

1.1 Mandate and Objectives 

The purpose of the site reconnaissance was to confirm the current site conditions and identify 

any current or historic land uses, which may have or may cause actual and/or potential 

environmental impacts to the subject properties. 

SLR




2.0 PROJECT METHODOLOGY AND SUMMARY OF WORK 

This Phase I ESA was performed in accordance with the Canadian Standards Association’s 

(CSA) standard Z768-01 Phase I Environmental Site Assessment and the statement of work 

(SOW) provided by the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) to Colliers International. 

The purpose of the Phase I ESA was to identify and document the current and historical 

environmental conditions of the subject property, and the presence of substances which indicate 

an existing, past, or potential adverse impact to the air, soil, groundwater, or surface waters as a 

result of operations on the subject property and adjacent surrounding properties, and which 

indicate further investigation may be necessary to evaluate the potential environmental liabilities 

with the subject property. 

The scope of work for this ESA included: a records review; a historical review; a review of 

available municipal and provincial records; a review of previously completed environmental site 

assessments of the surrounding area; a site reconnaissance and preparation of this report. 

There were no exceptions to, or deletions from the CSA standard. 

The conclusions presented in this report are professional opinions based on data described 

herein. These opinions are subject to the limitations outlined in Appendix A. 

SLR




3.0 SITE DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS 

The site is identified by Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations as civic #5515 Clyde 

Street, Property Identification (PID) Number 00077875, Lot 15-D Dresden Row, PID 40258964 

(attached to PID 00077875) and civic #1452 Queen Street, PID 00077438 and is currently 

owned by Halifax Regional Municipality. It comprises a total area of approximately 0.72 ha 

(7,194m 2 ) and is currently in use as parking lots. Clyde Street is located south of the site, which 

includes both residential and commercial properties. Along the eastern property boundary of 

PID 00077438 is Queen Street with residential and commercial buildings. 

A multi-unit residence is located on the east side of PID 00077438. To the west of the subject 

properties is Dresden Row and commercial properties. Located north of the subject properties 

are commercial properties, with Spring Garden Road further north. Birmingham Street runs 

between the subject properties and is perpendicular to Clyde Street. A Surrounding Land Use 

Plan is included as Drawing 2. 

The properties are accessible through driveways located on Dresden Row and Birmingham 

Street. The majority of the site is occupied by paved parking lots, with small pay station 

buildings on the west side of each lot. A Site Plan is included as Drawing 3. 

3.1 Local Potable Water Supplies 

The subject property is located in a residential/commercial area of the Halifax Regional 

Municipality in Halifax County, Nova Scotia. Municipal potable water services are provided to 

the site and adjacent properties. 

3.2 Presence of Potable Water Wells Within One Kilometre of the Site 

A records search of the Nova Scotia Well Log Database on February 3, 2009 showed no wells 

in the vicinity of the subject property. All properties adjacent to and surrounding the subject 

property are provided potable water by the Halifax Regional Municipality. 

3.3 Geology/Hydrogeology 

3.3.1 Regional Topography 

The topography of the subject property is relatively flat, although the general topography of the 

area slopes gently towards the south. Topographic maps note that the subject property is at an 

approximate elevation of 40 metres above mean sea level (amsl). Regionally the area is sloped 

east towards Halifax Harbour. 

SLR




3.3.2 Regional Geology 

The subject property is located within the Halifax Formation of bedrock. The Halifax Formation 

consists of slate, siltstone and minor sandstone. This bedrock is overlain with till that is stony 

with a sandy matrix, which is derived from local bedrock, with siltier till due to glaciation. 

3.3.3 Regional Hydrogeology 

Based on the topography of the area, the regional groundwater flow direction is suspected to be 

predominantly east towards Halifax Harbour. Local groundwater flow close to the surface is 

likely influenced by the presence of subsurface services and utilities. 

3.4 Current Land Use and Zoning 

The subject property is currently the site of two parking lots. Commercial properties followed by 

Spring Garden Road binds the subject properties to the north; residential and commercially 

owned and operated land borders the subject property to the east and west. Land to the south is 

occupied by Clyde Street. Birmingham Street runs in between the properties, perpendicular to 

Clyde Street. 

SLR reviewed the Halifax Regional Municipality Land Use By-Law for the Halifax Peninsula 

(September 1978) and determined that the subject property is coded as an RC-2 

Residential/Minor Commercial zone (page 85). A copy of the document is provided in Appendix 

B. Property boundaries and adjacent properties are shown on Drawing 2. 

3.5 Existing Structures 

The subject property on Clyde Street has one building with an approximate floor area of 2 m 2 . 

The building is used as a pay station for the parking lot. The Queen Street property contains a 

building similar in size and used for the same purpose, as well as a residential building with 

several units. The latter building was not entered at the time of site reconnaissance, however it 

is estimated that the building covers approximately 125m 2 of the subject property. The Nova 

Scotia Environmental Registry search did not return any information on existing surface work on 

the subject properties or adjacent properties. 

3.6 Existing Underground Installations 

SLR observed no evidence of USTs, such as unaccounted for vent/fill pipes, on the subject 

property at the time of the site reconnaissance. Environmental Registry documents reviewed did 

not show any evidence of USTs located on the subject properties currently or in the past. 

SLR




3.7 Surrounding Land Use 

The adjacent properties surrounding the subject property are described below: 

• North – Commercial/residential properties followed by Spring Garden Road 

• South – Clyde Street followed by commercial/residential properties including laundromat/dry 

cleaner 

• East – Queen Street followed by commercial/residential properties 

• West – Dresden Row followed by commercial properties 

3.8 Presence of Petroleum Facilities in Vicinity of Site 

There are no petroleum facilities currently in the vicinity of the subject properties. 

3.9 Surveying and Levelling 

No surveying or levelling was completed. 

SLR




4.2 Document Research 

SLR reviewed documents from Nova Scotia Environment’s Environmental Registry, Service 

Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, Property Online, the Nova Scotia Registry of Deeds and 

the Public Archives of Nova Scotia. The findings are outlined below. 

4.2.1 Summary of Property Titles 

Property titles for the site were recovered from Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. 

Documents reviewed included property deeds and site plans. 

Date Document Content 

August 28, 1963 Deed Constantine and Mary Manolopoulos, restaurateurs of the city of Halifax, 

turn their land (current PID 00077875) over to the city of Halifax. 

January 7, 1964 Deed Matthew and Elizabeth Scanlan turn their property (current PID 

00077438) over to the city of Halifax. 

November 10, 1982 Plan The property of Lot 15-D Dresden Row (PID 40258964), then known as 

Lots 15-A and 15-B, was occupied by Lanny’s Restaurant (Halifax) 

Limited 

June 6, 1983 Plan Former property known as Lots 15-A and 15-B as observed in 1982 plan 

have been changed to Lots 15-C and 15-D and have changed ownership. 

Property unit 15-C is now occupied by Winchester Investments Limited. 

Lot 15-D is not marked. 

The documents reviewed for the acquisition of this information are included in Appendix B. 

4.2.2. Fire Insurance Plans 

DAC recovered and SLR reviewed fire insurance plans from 1899, 1911, 1914, 1918, 1949, 

1951 and 1971 for the City of Halifax. The following information was obtained from the plans: 

• 1899: The subject properties are covered with small, residential buildings. A laundromat 

is present in the southwest corner of the Queen Street property and there is a building 

located in the current location of the multi-unit dwelling. Present-day Clyde Street was 

then known as Rottenburg Street. 

• 1911: Several small buildings have either been demolished or altered since the 1899 

plan. No other major changes are observed. 

• 1914: No changes are observed since the 1911 plan. 

• 1918: Most buildings on the subject properties have been renovated since the 1914 

plan. Building shapes and sizes vary from previous plans and additional buildings are 

visible. No labels are present on any of the buildings. 

• 1949: Minimal changes are observed since the 1918 plan. Several buildings on the 

Queen Street property have been altered, and the laundromat noted in the 1899 plan 

is still present. 

• 1951: No changes are observed since the 1949 plan. 

• 1971: The former Rottenburg Street has been renamed Clyde Street. The majority of 

the small buildings present on the Clyde Street property have been removed and 

replaced with a parking lot. The Queen Street property is still covered by buildings, 

however some have been removed. 

SLR




The fire insurance plans are included on pages 35-38 in the report supplied by DAC (Appendix 

D). The fire insurance plans included in the report do not show the adjacent properties 

immediately south, west, and east of the site; therefore, SLR did not review the historical 

property usage in these directions. 

4.2.3 Access to Information Requests 

SLR contacted Nova Scotia Environment (NSE) to perform a search of the Environmental 

Registry for information regarding the subject properties. This information includes Petroleum 

Storage Tank Registration information, as well as records of any incidents of potential 

environmental concern. 

Documents returned from the Registry search provided information on a nearby property on the 

corner of Spring Garden Road and Dresden Row (civic address 5524 Spring Garden Road). 

This property was formerly used as an Esso gas station and had five (5) USTs installed in 1980. 

Three (3) USTs had capacities of 22,700 L and contained gasoline, while the other two (2) had 

2,270 L and 4,500 L capacities and contained used oil and fuel oil, respectively. All five (5) 

USTs were removed in 1991 and a total area of 2,180m 3 was reported as impacted. Phase I, II, 

and III ESAs were conducted on this property, however the reports and related documents were 

not reviewed due to time restraints, as they must be requested through Freedom of Information 

and Protection of Privacy (FOIPOP). The Environmental Registry documents are included in 

Appendix D. 

Several properties of interest were previously searched as part of a due diligence review for the 

former Halifax Infirmary site on Queen Street and for the former Bellevue House site. The only 

issue uncovered through these searches was a former fuel oil spill at 5466 Spring Garden 

Road. Documentation for this incident is only available by request from Freedom of Information 

and Protection of Privacy (FOIPOP). The responses for these are included in Appendix D. 

NSE has indicated that no records were located through the Environmental Registry with regard 

to the subject properties. 

4.3 Previous Environmental Studies 

No previous environmental studies were conducted on the subject properties, however several 

reports completed for nearby and adjacent properties were available to SLR for review. The 

reports were written between May and August of 2007 and include two environmental due 

diligence reports: one for the “former Halifax Infirmary” site and one for the “former Bellevue 

House” site. The Halifax Infirmary site is located east of the subject property on Queen Street 

and is identified as PID No. 00077099. The Bellevue House site is located immediately north of 

the Infirmary site and is identified as PID No. 40576829. A Phase II ESA was also conducted on 

the Bellevue House site. 

A review of these reports showed areas of potential environmental concern surrounding the 

subject properties in all directions, and also on the subject property at Queen Street. In the 

southwest corner of the property, a former laundromat is indicated. Based on the groundwater 

flow direction indicated on the Potential Historic Environmental Concerns figure, areas of 

SLR




concern outside the property boundaries that could potentially impact the subject properties 

include a former service station immediately north of the subject property at Clyde Street, a 

former service station located west of the subject properties on Dresden Row, a former UST 

immediately north of the subject property at Queen Street, and a historic fuel oil spill at a 

property north of the subject property at Queen Street and located on Spring Garden Road. A 

plan outlining these areas of potential environmental concern is included as Drawing 4. 

4.4 Geological and Geotechnical Reports 

No known geological or geotechnical reports were conducted on the subject properties of 5515 

Clyde Street and 1452 Queen Street. 

SLR




5.0 SITE VISIT SUMMARY 

The site reconnaissance for the properties of 5515 Clyde Street and 1452 Queen Street was 

completed by Raissa Collicutt on February 3, 2009. Weather conditions during the visit were 

poor with an ambient air temperature of approximately -5 degrees Celsius and moderate 

snowfall. Access to the subject sites was unlimited, with the exception of the multi-unit dwelling, 

as they are currently in use as public parking lots. The multi-unit dwelling was observed from the 

exterior only. A small pay station building on each property was observed but not entered as 

they were occupied by parking lot attendants. Ms. Collicutt was unescorted during the 

reconnaissance. 

The subject properties were relatively flat with many swells and bulges in the pavement due to 

cold and heat stress. The area in general has a slight slope towards the east. Halifax Harbour, 

located approximately 800 m to the east of the subject property, is the nearest down gradient 

surface water body. A general description of the subject property’s exterior features was 

provided in Section 3.2. Site photographs are provided in Drawing 5 and Appendix E. 

Additional observations and site features noted during the site reconnaissance are described in 

further detail in the following sections. 

5.1 Sources of Air Emissions 

The only sources of air emissions on the subject properties are the vehicles that use the parking 

lots on a daily basis. 

5.2 Water Supplies and Wastewater Disposal 

Potable water for the areas surrounding the subject property is obtained from the Halifax 

Regional Municipality’s municipal distribution system, which originates from Pockwock Lake and 

the J. Douglas Kline Water Supply Plant. Wastewater in the area is discharged into the 

Municipal sewer system. Catch basins were observed on site and in the right-of-ways of 

adjacent streets. 

5.3 Waste and Refuse Management 

Waste disposal bins were observed around the properties to deal with solid waste materials. No 

staining was observed surrounding these receptacles. Waste Management removes waste on 

a regular basis. 

5.4 Hazardous Materials/Chemical Products Management 

SLR did not observe any hazardous materials on the subject property at the time of site 

reconnaissance, nor are any expected to be generated by the current site activities. 

SLR




5.5 Asbestos-Containing Materials 

Most asbestos containing building materials were phased out in the 1980s. However, ACMs 

can be found in buildings constructed as late as 1990 (Environment Canada, 2005). One of the 

main problems with asbestos comes from sprayed or "friable" (easily broken up) amphibole 

asbestos used in buildings until the 1970s. People working in construction, maintenance or 

renovation of older buildings should be particularly careful when handling this asbestos. Items 

such as floor tiles, ceiling tiles/panel, pipe and pipe elbow wrap, wallboard, and shingles, may 

contain ACMs. The regulations governing the handling and disposal of ACMs are located in the 

Nova Scotia Environment Act, Asbestos Waste Management Regulations, N.S. Reg. 53/95 

Due to the age of the buildings, it is possible that ACM may be present. Health risks associated 

with exposure to ACMs is considered low, as long as the suspected ACM containing material 

remains in good condition. Caution should be taken during regular maintenance in the vicinity 

of potential ACMs to prevent the potential ACMs from becoming damaged. Sampling of 

potential asbestos-containing materials should be completed prior to any site renovations or 

demolition. 

5.6 Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) 

From the 1930s to the 1970s, PCBs were used to make coolants and lubricants for certain kinds 

of electrical equipment, including transformers and capacitors, and were widely used in a 

number of industrial materials including sealing and caulking compounds, inks, and paint 

additives. PCBs are an environmental concern as they do not readily degrade and have been 

identified as bioaccumulative. In Canada, the federal Environmental Contaminants Act (1976) 

prohibited the use of PCBs in heat transfer and electrical equipment installed after September 1, 

1977, and in transformers and capacitors installed after July 1, 1980. In addition, the storage 

and disposal of PCB waste materials is regulated. 

Several pole-mounted transformers were observed during the site reconnaissance. These units 

or their predecessors may contain PCBs; however, no leaks were noted. 

5.7 Lead Based Paint 

Under the federal Hazardous Products Act, the lead content in interior paint was limited to 0.5% 

by weight in 1976. After 1980, lead was not used in interior paints; however, exterior paints may 

have still contained lead. All consumer paints produced and imported into Canada were 

virtually lead-free as of 1992. 

There is one small building on each of the subject properties, as well as a multi-unit residential 

dwelling on the Queen Street property. Due to the age of the buildings, lead-based paint may 

have been used. 

SLR




5.8 Ozone-Depleting Substances 

Ozone-depleting substances are generally found in equipment such as air conditioners, 

refrigerators and freezers. Both pay station buildings on the subject properties house small air 

conditioners; other ozone depleting substances are also assumed to be present in the multi-unit 

dwelling. Ozone-depleting substances could pose environmental concern for the subject 

property. 

5.9 Mercury 

No mercury-containing instruments or appliances were observed at the time of site 

reconnaissance. The buildings on the subject properties should be inspected for any appliance 

or instrument containing mercury prior to their demolition. Any mercury encountered must be 

properly disposed. 

5.10 Radioactive Material 

No radioactive materials were observed during the subject property reconnaissance. 

5.11 Backfilling Materials 

No documentation regarding excavation of the subject property was available for review by 

SLR; however, during discussions with site personnel it was discovered that former buildings on 

each property were demolished and the debris was buried on-site. If any building debris is 

encountered during excavation, it should be tested for regulated materials to determine proper 

disposal procedures. 

5.12 Radon 

“Radon (Rn-222), a radioactive gas associated with an increased incidence of lung cancer, is 

formed by the natural radioactive decay of uranium. Geological mapping of rocks and soils with 

a potential for high uranium content can be used to interpret regional variations in the 

concentration of radon in homes. Because of its effects on human health, radon is considered a 

potential "geochemical hazard" where it occurs at high concentrations.” (Geological Survey of 

Canada: Environmental geochemistry and geochemical hazards – Radon. R.D. Knight and R.A. 

Klassen) 

Based on a uranium map of Nova Scotia, it was determined that the subject property is in an 

area with moderate uranium content, however uranium mapping alone can not predict 

corresponding radon concentration in buildings. No radon testing was completed as part of this 

assessment. 

SLR




5.13 Pesticides 

It is unlikely that pesticides are used on the subject properties as they are used as parking lots. 

Given the current and historical land use, it is unlikely that significant pesticide use would have 

been undertaken at the subject property. 

5.14 Tanks and Other Oil Company Infrastructures 

5.14.1 Aboveground Tanks 

Nova Scotia Environmental Registry documents reviewed did not provide any evidence of ASTs 

on the subject properties or surrounding properties presently or in the past; however fill/vent 

pipes were observed on the exterior of the multi-unit residential dwelling on the east side of the 

Queen Street parking lot. This indicates that a fuel oil AST is likely present inside the building. 

5.14.2 Underground Tanks 

There are no known underground tanks located on the subject properties or on the adjacent 

properties. A search of the Nova Scotia Environment Environmental Registry did not return any 

documentation of registered tanks on the subject property or properties immediately adjacent. 

Documents related to underground tanks returned from the Registry search are provided in 

Section 4.2.3. 

5.15 Spills or Presence of Stains/Odours 

No spills, stains or odours were observed on the subject properties at the time of site inspection. 

5.16 Impacts on Environment and Natural Receptors 

Several catch basins were observed on and around the subject property at the time of site 

investigation. It is unlikely that any potential contamination on surrounding properties be 

associated with the subject property. 

SLR




6.0 CONCLUSIONS 

SLR has performed a Phase I ESA in conformance with the scope and limitations of the CSA 

Standard Z768-01 and Halifax Regional Municipality’s Request for Proposal (HRM RFP) #08- 

359 of the properties located at 5515 Clyde Street and 1452 Queen Street in Halifax, Nova 

Scotia. There were no exceptions to or deletions from the CSA Standard Z768-01. 

Based on the results of the Phase I ESA, SLR identified the following potential environmental 

concerns associated with the subject property: 

• A laundromat/dry cleaner is located across Clyde Street, southeast of the site. 

• Due to the age of the buildings, it is possible that the multi-unit residential dwelling and 

the pay stations buildings may contain regulated building materials. 

• Several pole-mounted transformers are located around the subject property on Dresden 

Row, Clyde Street and Birmingham Street. 

• A small pay station building is located on the west side of each parking lot. Each building 

contains a small Danby air conditioner. 

• Minor spills and leaks from vehicles may impact the subsurface via the cracks observed 

in the parking lots. 

• A laundromat was formerly located in the southwest corner of one of the subject 

properties (1452 Queen Street). 

• Former buildings located on each of the subject properties were demolished and buried 

on-site. 

• Several former service stations were located on surrounding properties and could 

potentially impact the subject properties. 

• The subject property is in an area that is mapped as having moderate uranium content 

The decay of uranium produces radon gas that is harmful to human health. 

• Acid-generating bedrock may be present on this site. 

SLR




7.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 

Based on the above-mentioned conclusions, SLR provides the following recommendations for 

further investigation: 

• Prior to building demolition, a Regulated Building Materials Survey should be completed 

to assess the potential health risks for construction workers during demolition and to 

determine disposal options of the materials. 

• Transformers containing PCBs and should be regularly inspected for leaks. 

• Ozone-depleting substances and should be examined and properly disposed of prior to 

site redevelopment. 

• Based on current and historical information regarding land use of the site and 

surrounding area (former service stations, dry cleaner), we recommend that a Phase II 

Environmental Site Assessment be conducted on the subject properties prior to their 

redevelopment. Drilling and installation of monitor wells should be completed to asses 

potential contaminant distribution across the subject properties. 

• If any building debris is encountered during excavation, it should be tested for regulated 

materials to determine proper disposal procedures. 

• Testing for indoor radon gas should be conducted in existing buildings and considered in 

the design of any future buildings. 

• Future development at the site should address potential acid-generating issues. This 

should include sampling the bedrock for acid generating potential and disposing of acidgenerating 

material in accordance with the Nova Scotia Sulphide-Bearing Material 

Disposal Regulation, N.S. Reg. 57/95. 

No other issues of significant environmental concern were identified during the course of this 

Phase I ESA. It is SLR’s professional opinion that the potential for environmental liabilities to be 

realized by the borrower or lending institution is considered to be low. 

SLR




8.0 REFERENCES 

Carson, J.M., Ford, K.L., Grant, J.A., Holman, P.B., Shives, R.B.K. and J.A.Y. Pratt Earth 

Sciences Sector Information Division (ESS Info). Airborne Gamma Ray Spectrometry 

Compilation Series: Halifax, Nova Scotia-New Brunswick-Prince Edward Island. Geological 

Survey of Canada. Scale 1:1000000. 2003 

Davis Archaeological Consultants Ltd. Pre-Development Assessment of Spring Garden 

Road/Queen Street Public Lands Plan: Archaeological Resource Impact Assessment. January 

2009. 

Government of Nova Scotia. Property Online. Retrieved on January 16, 2009 from 

 

Government of Nova Scotia. Property Online. Retrieved on January 16, 2009 from 

 

Keppie, J.D. (compiler). Geological Map of the Province of Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia 

Department of Natural Resources, Minerals and Energy Branch. Map Me 2000-1. Scale 

1:500000. 2000 

Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources. Land Registry Office: Aerial photograph review 

and collection. January 7, 2009. 

Nova Scotia Environment. Environmental Registry Search: no documentation recovered. 

Response received February 10, 2009. 

Nova Scotia Environment and Labor. Well Log Database. Information obtained February 3, 

2009. 

Stea, R.R. et al. 1992. Surficial Geology of the Province of Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia 

Department of Natural Resources. Mines and Energy Branches. Map 92-3. Scale 1:500000 

SLR

FIGURES 

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment 


5515 Clyde Street and 1452 Queen Street 

Halifax, Nova Scotia 

SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd. Project 210.05696

APPENDIX A 

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS 






Scope and Limitations 

This Phase I ESA was performed in accordance with the Canadian Standards Council standard 

Z768-01 “Phase I Environmental Site Assessment”. 

The purpose of the Phase I ESA was to identify and document the current and historical 

environmental conditions of the subject property, and the presence of substances that indicate 

an existing, past, or potential adverse impacts to the air, soil, groundwater, or surface waters. 

The potential impacts documented reflect past and present operations on the subject property 

and adjacent surrounding properties, and indicate further investigation may be necessary to 

evaluate the potential environmental liabilities associated with the subject property. 

The scope of work for this ESA included: a records review; a historical review; a review of 

available municipal, provincial, and federal agency records; a site reconnaissance and 

preparation of this report. 

The conclusions presented in this report are professional opinions based on data described 

herein. These opinions are subject to the limitations discussed below. 

This report has been prepared and the work referred to in this report has been undertaken by 

SLR for Colliers International. It is intended for the sole and exclusive use of Colliers 

International and its authorized agents for the purpose(s) set out in this report. Any use of, 

reliance on or decision made based on this report by any person other than Colliers 

International for any purpose, or by Colliers International for a purpose other than the 

purpose(s) set out in this report, is the sole responsibility of such other person or Colliers 

International. Colliers International and SLR make no representation or warranty to any other 

person with regard to this report and the work referred to in this report. They accept no duty of 

care to any other person or any liability or responsibility whatsoever for any losses, expenses, 

damages, fines, penalties or other harm that may be suffered or incurred by any other person as 

a result of the use of, reliance on, any decision made or any action taken based on this report or 

the work referred to in this report. 

Any conclusions or recommendations made in this report reflect SLR’s judgment based on the 

following limited investigations: visual site inspection(s) on the date(s) set out in this report; 

examination of public records; and interviews with individuals having information about the site. 

While efforts have been made to substantiate information provided by third parties, SLR makes 

no representation or warranty as to its completeness or accuracy. 

This report has been prepared for specific application to this site. Unless otherwise stated, the 

findings cannot be extended to previous or future site conditions; portions of the site which were 

unavailable for direct investigation; subsurface locations which were not investigated directly; or 

chemical parameters, materials or analysis which were not addressed. Substances other than 

those addressed by the investigation described in this report may exist within the site; and 

substances addressed by the investigation may exist in areas of the site not investigated or in 

quantities not ascertained. The assessment was limited to this property as requested by 

Colliers International.

As the evaluation and conclusions reported herein do not preclude the existence of other 

chemical compounds and/or variations of conditions within the site that may be possible, this 

report should be used for informational purposes only and should absolutely not be construed 

as a comprehensive hydrogeological or chemical characterization of the site. If site conditions 

change or if any additional information becomes available at a future date, modifications to the 

findings, conclusions and recommendations in this report may be necessary. 

Nothing in this report is intended to constitute or provide a legal opinion. SLR makes no 

representation as to the requirements of or compliance with environmental laws, rules, 

regulations or policies established by federal, provincial or local government bodies. Revisions 

to the regulatory standards referred to in this report may be expected over time. As a result, 

modifications to the findings, conclusions and recommendations in this report may be 

necessary. 

Other than by Colliers International and as set out herein, copying or distribution of this report or 

use of or reliance on the information contained herein, in whole or in part, is not permitted 

without the express written permission of SLR. 

Colliers International may submit this report to Nova Scotia Environment and Labour and/or 

related Nova Scotia environmental regulatory authorities or persons for review and comment 

purposes.

APPENDIX B 

PROPERTY TITLES 

ABSTRACT OF ZONING REGULATIONG 






RC-2 ZO N E 

RE S I D E N T I A L /M I N O R CO M M E RCI A L ZO N E 

48BA(1 ) T h e fo llo w in g u s es s h all b e p erm itted in an y R C -2 Z o n e: 

(a) R -1 , R -2 an d R -2 T u s es ; 

(b ) R -2 A u s es in th e " S o u th E n d A rea " ; 

(c) 

(d) 

(e) 

m in o r co m m ercial u s es as s et o u t in th e C -2 A Z o n e, S ectio n 5 9 A(1 )(b ) to 

(m ) in clu s iv e, exclu din g (la) (b illb o ards ), p ro v ided th at s u ch u s es are 

lo cated at grade o r b elo w grade; 

a lo u n ge in as s o ciatio n w ith a res tau ran t in th e " S p rin g Ga rd en Ro a d 

A rea " ; 

p ark in g lo ts o n th e p ro p erties k n o w n as th e C ly de S treet p ark in g lo ts an d 

iden tified b y th e L R IS n u m b ers 0 0 0 7 7 87 5 an d 0 0 0 7 7 43 8 in th e " S p rin g 

Ga rd en Ro a d A rea " ; 

(f) u s es acces s o ry to th e fo rego in g u s es . 

(g) 

In n s 

48BA(1 A) D eleted 

48BA(2 ) 

48BA(3 ) 

N o p ers o n s h all in an y R C -2 Z o n e, carry o u t o r cau s e o r p erm it to b e carried o u t, an y 

dev elo p m en t fo r an y p u rp o s e o th er th an o n e o r m o re o f th e u s es s et o u t in 

S u b s ectio n s (1 ) an d (1 A). 

N o p ers o n s h all in an y R C -2 Z o n e, u s e o r p erm it to b e u s ed an y lan d o r b u ildin g in 

w h o le o r in p art fo r an y p u rp o s e o th er th an o n e o r m o re o f th e u s es s et o u t in 

S u b s ectio n s (1 ) an d (1 A). 

RE Q U I RE M E N T S 

85

APPENDIX C 

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS 






APPENDIX D 

RESPONSES TO INFORMATION ACCESS REQUESTS 

RECORDS OF COMMUNICATION 

PREVIOUS REPORTS 

FIRE INSURANCE PLANS 






PRE-DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT OF SPRING 

GARDEN ROAD/QUEEN STREET PUBLIC LANDS PLAN: 

ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCE IMPACT ASSESSMENT 

Heritage Research Permit A2009NS12 

January 2009 

Submitted by: 

Davis Archaeological Consultants Ltd. 

109 John Stewart Drive 

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia 

B2W 4J7 

Submitted to: 

Colliers International Realty Advisors 

Cogswell Tower, Suite 1304 

2000 Barrington Street 

Halifax, Nova Scotia

PRE-DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT OF SPRING 

GARDEN ROAD/QUEEN STREET PUBLIC LANDS PLAN: 

ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCE IMPACT ASSESSMENT 

Heritage Research Permit A2009NS12 

Category C 

Davis Archaeological Consultants Limited 

Principal Investigator: April D. MacIntyre 

Report Compiled by: Matthew J. Munro, Laura DeBoer & 

April MacIntyre 

Cover: Bellevue House circa 1870-1885.

Archaeological Resource Impact Assessment 

Pre-development Assessment 

Spring Garden Road/Queen Street Public Lands Plan 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page 

LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................ ii 

LIST OF PLATES ............................................................................................................. iii 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................ 1 

1.0 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................... 2 

2.0 DEVELOPMENT AREA......................................................................................... 2 

3.0 METHODOLOGY................................................................................................... 5 

3.1 Maritime Archaeological Resource Inventory ............................................. 5 

3.2 Historical Background.................................................................................. 5 

3.2.1 Area A: The Infirmary Property....................................................... 5 

3.2.2 Area B: The Halifax Memorial Library Property........................... 25 

3.2.3 Area C: The Clyde Street parking lots. .......................................... 31 

4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ............................................................................ 39 

5.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS................................................. 39 

6.0 REFERENCES....................................................................................................... 40 

PLATES............................................................................................................................ 43 

APPENDIX A: HERITAGE RESEARCH PERMIT ....................................................... 50 


i




LIST OF FIGURES 

Page 

Figure 2.0-1: Properties bordering on Spring Garden Road and Queen Street, as proposed 

for pre-development by HRM.................................................................... 3 

Figure 2.0-2: Nova Scotia Natural Theme Region #833 (highlighted). ............................. 4 

Figure 3.2-1: Spring Garden Road and Queen Street study areas on Google Maps........... 6 

Figure 3.2.1-1: Jackson’s 1945 map of Halifax in 1749..................................................... 7 

Figure 3.2.1-2: Unidentified map of Halifax circa 1760s................................................... 8 

Figure 3.2.1-3: Modern redrawing of a 1762 Crown Lands Grant..................................... 9 

Figure 3.2.1-4: Blaskowitz 1784 Map of Halifax showing location of Area B................ 10 

Figure 3.2.1-5: The Commandant’s Quarters, 1830. ........................................................ 10 

Figure 3.2.1-6: The Commandant’s Quarters, 1838. ........................................................ 11 

Figure 3.2.1-7: Sketch of Military Ordinance Property in Halifax, 1851......................... 11 

Figure 3.2.1-8: Dundonald Street, 1850............................................................................ 12 

Figure 3.2.1-9: Clark’s Map of Halifax, 1869. ................................................................. 13 

Figure 3.2.1-10: Panoramic View of Halifax, 1879, showing Bellevue and Dundonald 

Street. ....................................................................................................... 13 

Figure 3.2.1-11: Hopkin’s Land Atlas for Halifax, 1878. ................................................ 15 

Figure 3.2.1-12: Plans for a new Drill Shed, 1892. .......................................................... 17 

Figure 3.2.1-13: Halifax Fire Insurance Plan of 1895. ..................................................... 18 





Figure 3.2.1-18: Halifax Fire Insurance Plan of 1951 ...................................................... 23 


Figure 3.2.2-1: An 1845 reproduction of a 1762 map showing the burial grounds.......... 25 

Figure 3.2.2-2: Panoramic View of Halifax, 1878, showing the Asylum and cemetery .. 27 

Figure 3.2.2-3: E. H. Keating’s ornate walkway plan for Grafton Park. .......................... 29 

Figure 3.2.2-4: E. H. Keating’s plans for walls and ornamentation in Grafton Park. ...... 29 

Figure 3.2.2-5: A 1934 plan of Grafton Park.................................................................... 30 

Figure 3.2.2-6: A plan of the Halifax memorial Library, 1949. ....................................... 31 

Figure 3.2.3-1: Modern drawing of a Crown Lands Grant, 1762. .................................... 32 

Figure 3.2.3-2: The 1784 Blaskowitz map showing Area C............................................. 33 

Figure 3.2.3-3: Hopkin’s Land Atlas, 1878 ...................................................................... 34 

Figure 3.2.3-4: Panoramic View of Halifax, 1879, showing Schmidtville....................... 35 

Figure 3.2.3-5: Halifax Fire Insurance Plan of 1899. ....................................................... 35 








ii




LIST OF PLATES 

Page 

Plate 1: Photograph of the General’s Residence, circa 1830s. Photo by Clarke. ............. 44 

Plate 2: Bellevue house, circa 1870-1885. Photo by the Royal Engineers. ...................... 44 

Plate 3: Bellevue house, March 11th 1885 after being gutted by fire. Photo by the Royal 

Engineers........................................................................................................................... 45 

Plate 4: Dundonald St. from the roof of Bellevue, 1872, photo by the Royal Engineers. 45 

Plate 5: Dundonald St. from the roof of Bellevue, 1896, photo by the Royal Engineers. 46 

Plate 6: Aerial Photo of Bellevue and Dundonald Street, 1921........................................ 46 

Plate 7: Bellevue house before demolition, 1955. ............................................................ 47 

Plate 8: Bellevue house during demolition, 1955. ............................................................ 47 

Plate 9: Aerial photo of Grafton Park, 1921. .................................................................... 48 

Plate 10: Memorial Library in 1955.................................................................................. 48 

Plate 11: Schmidtville, 1888. Photo from the Notman Collection. .................................. 49 

Plate 12: Aerial Photo of Schmidtville, 1921. .................................................................. 49 


iii




EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

In January 2009, Davis Archaeological Consultants Limited conducted an archaeological 

resource impact assessment as part of the Pre-development Assessment of Spring Garden 

Road/Queen Street Public Land Plan. The assessment included a historic desktop study 

of the pre-development area in order to determine the potential for archaeological 

resources within the area under investigation. Four properties in metropolitan Halifax 

were included in the assessment. Among these properties were: 

• the existing Spring Garden Road Memorial Library bounded by Brunswick Street, 

Spring Garden Road, Grafton Street, and 

• the old Halifax Infirmary property bounded by Morris Street, Queen Street, 

Spring Garden Road, and Dalhousie University Sexton Campus; 

• an existing parking lot bounded by Birmingham, Clyde, and Queen Streets; and 

• an existing parking lot bounded by Birmingham and Clyde Streets and Dresden 

Row. 

Consultation of historic maps and manuscripts at the Nova Scotia Archives and Records 

Management and the Halifax Regional Municipality Archives showed that these 

properties have all been used, beginning from the late 18 th to early 19 th centuries, for a 

number of cultural activities including military occupation, burial for the poor, and 

residential settlement. These areas have been determined to be of high archaeological 

potential for historic period resources and recommendations for further assessment and 

mitigation have been recommended should these areas be disturbed by development or by 

pre-development assessment ground disturbing activities. 

Davis Archaeological Consultants Limited 1




1.0 INTRODUCTION 

In December 2008, Davis Archaeological Consultants (DAC) Limited was contracted by 

Colliers International (Atlantic) Realty Advisors, on behalf of Halifax Regional 

Municipality (HRM), to conduct a phase I archaeological resource impact assessment of 

the Spring Garden Road/Queen Street Public Lands Plan. In 2005, Halifax Regional 

Municipality and the Province of Nova Scotia entered into a memorandum of 

understanding to jointly prepare plans for public land use in the vicinity of Spring Garden 

Road and Queen Street. As a result, Halifax Regional Municipality, through Regional 

Council approval, is currently negotiating with the Province of Nova Scotia to transfer 

ownership of those lands previously occupied by the Halifax Infirmary to HRM in 

exchange for two parcels of land bounding Birmingham and Clyde Streets. In addition, 

HRM has requested that a functional assessment of the commercial redevelopment 

potential of the Spring Garden Road Memorial Library be conducted. 

The purpose of the archaeological assessment was to determine the potential for 

archaeological resources within those land parcels under consideration and/or which have 

been approved to redevelopment and to provide recommendations for further mitigation 

if deemed necessary. This assessment included consultation of the Maritime 

Archaeological Resource Inventory in the Heritage Division of the Nova Scotia Museum 

as well as historic maps, manuscripts and published resources. 

This assessment was conducted under Category C Heritage Research Permit A2009NS12 

issued by the Nova Scotia Heritage Division. This report conforms to the standards 

required by the Heritage Division under the Special Places program. 

2.0 DEVELOPMENT AREA 

The proposed project is a multi-disciplinary assessment of the development potential for 

municipally-owned lands near Spring Garden Road and Queen Street in Halifax. The four 

development areas are contained within approximately 28,500 square meters, and for this 

report, have been divided into three distinct study areas (Figure 2.0-1), intercut primarily 

by Spring Garden Road and Queen Street. The four parcels included in the study area are: 

• the existing Spring Garden Road Memorial Library bounded by Brunswick Street, 

Spring Garden Road, Grafton Street, and 

• the old Halifax Infirmary property bounded by Morris Street, Queen Street, 

Spring Garden Road, and Dalhousie University Sexton Campus; 

• an existing parking lot bounded by Birmingham, Clyde, and Queen Streets; and 

• an existing parking lot bounded by Birmingham and Clyde Streets and Dresden 

Row. 

Only that portion of the Spring Garden Memorial Library property from the diagonal 

walkway that cuts through the front of the Library property (from Spring Garden Road to 





Figure 2.0-1: Properties bordering on Spring Garden Road and Queen Street, as proposed for 

pre-development by HRM. 





Grafton Street) north to the Library itself. Under the current assessment of this property, 

consideration is to be given to maintaining the existing façade of the Library. 

The old Halifax Infirmary property is currently occupied by a pay parking lot at the north 

end (at the corner of Spring Garden Road and Queen Street) as well as a leased parking 

lot at the south end (at the corner of Queen and Morris Streets). The old nurses’ 

residence for the Halifax Infirmary stills sits on the southeast corner of the property. The 

area between the two parking lots was extensively excavated in 2005 during demolition 

of the old Infirmary. 

The development area is located in an urban setting within provincial natural theme 

region #833 – Eastern Shore Beaches (Figure 2.0-2). The coastal region is characterized 

by an indented submerged coastline and is divided into headlands separated by long 

inlets, most of which are drowned river estuaries. The underlying soils of peninsular 

Halifax are predominantly slate-derived shaly loam Bridgewater soils. Historically, the 

slate that characterizes bedrock outcrops in this area was used as building material and 

can still be seen in many of the extant nineteenth century constructions such as Alexander 

Keith’s Brewery on Lower Water Street. Because of continued urban expansion and 

development since the mid-eighteenth century, many aspects of the natural history of this 

region including floral and faunal sustainability, no longer apply. 

Figure 2.0-Error! Style not defined.2: Nova Scotia Natural Theme Region #833 (highlighted) 1 . 

1 Davis and Browne, 1996. 





3.0 METHODOLOGY 

A historic background study was conducted by DAC Ltd. between the January 6 - 20. 

Historical maps, manuscripts, and published literature were located and consulted at 

Nova Scotia Public Archives and Records Management in Halifax as well as at the 

Halifax Regional Municipality Archives. The Maritime Archaeological Resource 

Inventory, held at the Nova Scotia Museum’s Heritage Division, was also consulted to 

understand any prior archaeological research and known archaeological resources 

neighbouring or within the study area. 

3.1 Maritime Archaeological Resource Inventory 

Using facilities at the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History, a search was conducted 

for archaeological sites in the study area through the Maritime Archaeological Resources 

Inventory (MARI) forms. One site, named Winchester’s Midden, was identified within 

the study area. During a structural renovation to the rear of Winchester’s clothing store 

on Queen Street in the mid-1990s, a privy was accidently disturbed and archaeologists 

were called to investigate. Though most of the structure was gone, many artifacts were 

recovered and dated to the mid to late nineteenth century. 

3.2 Historical Background 

The following historical background is divided into the three study areas as delineated by 

the HRM. These include the site of the former Halifax Infirmary bounded by Spring 

Garden Road, Queen Street, and Morris Street (A), the Halifax Public Library property 

on the corner of Spring Garden Road and Grafton Street (B), and two half-blocks of 

property bounded by Clyde Street, Queen Street, Birmingham Street, and Dresden Row 

(C) (Figure 3.2-1). 

3.2.1 Area A: The Infirmary Property 

The site of the former Halifax Infirmary has a long and detailed history extending at least 

to the founding of Halifax in 1749. There are two distinct portions of Area B which have 

archaeological potential and these include a long-standing residence on the corner of 

Spring Garden Road and Queen Street, and the buildings associated with Dundonald 

Street, which were closed to facilitate the growth of the Halifax Infirmary. 





B 

C 

A 

Figure 3.2-1-1: Spring Garden Road and Queen Street study areas on Google Maps. 

The earliest mention of the former Infirmary site comes from several 20 th century 

reconstructions. The first, Jackson’s 1945 map of Halifax in 1749, shows the property 

belonging to Charles Morris and Richard Blakeley and referred to as the ‘Governor’s 

Farm’. Though only Spring Garden Road is named, it’s likely that the street running 

parallel to Spring Garden is Morris Street, and the two streets starting at the top of the 

map are Queen and an early rendition of Dundonald Streets respectively. No known 

buildings exist on the Governor’s Farm lot during this period; however, evidence does 

exist for a series of house lots facing Queen Street, complete with the names of the 

respective tenants (Figure 3.2.1-2). 





Figure 3.2.1-2: Jackson’s 1945 map of Halifax in 1749. 

The notion of this land originally being a farm continues into the 1760s. On an unnamed 

map from the period (Figure 3.2.1-3), what was previously assumed to be Dundonald 

Street, separating the Governor’s Farm from the estates of Henry Newton and Michael 

Franklin, is absent. It’s likely that the redrawn map in 1945 included Dundonald Street 

erroneously, yet it holds more detail for the owners of the house lots facing Queen Street 

whereas the 1760s map does not, questioning the accuracy of both. A redrawing of a 

1762 Crown Lands Grant adds further evidence for the existence of Dundonald Street at a 

mid-18 th century date, although it’s more likely to be a throughway on the Governor’s 

Farm at this time (Figure 3.2.1-4). 





Figure 3.2.1-3: Unidentified map of Halifax circa 1760s. 

The first evidence for buildings being present on the site comes from a 1784 map drawn 

by army surveyor Charles Blaskowitz (Figure 3.2.1-5). Four distinct lots are visible, 

likely representing the properties on Morris Street, the two lots belonging to Michael 

Franklin and Henry Newton, and a new lot on the corner of Queen Street and Spring 

Garden Road. The earliest stages of this lot on Jackson’s map and the 1760’s map seem 

to suggest it belongs to the Governor’s Farm or is immediately associated, yet by 1784 

this land is distinctly separate. 

In 1830, the area around the Governor’s farm begins to see a sharp population increase as 

the surrounding area began to develop residentially. Two maps, one from 1830 and one 

from 1838, show both the new urban sprawl and details of the farm, now named the 

Commandants Quarters, to its greatest detail yet (Figures 3.2.1-6 and 3.2.1-7). These new 

maps compliment the rough sketch found on the Blaskowitz map, and can also be 

referenced by the earliest known photograph of the Commandant’s Quarters, which was 

also taken during this period (Plate 1). 





Figure 3.2.1-4: Modern redrawing of a 1762 Crown Lands Grant. 

Due to the scarcity of maps depicting Halifax in the early 19 th century, the property does 

not appear again until an 1851 sketch of ordinance property in Halifax. This provides the 

most detailed account of the historic buildings on the site, all labelled as part of the Field 

Officers Quarters (Figure 3.2.1-8). Clearly identified is the main house along with all 

privies, outhouses, and stables on the property. A guardhouse is also identified along the 

southern boundary of the property, and a barn, aiding in the upkeep of the property, is 

located on the corner of Queen and Morris Streets. 





Figure 3.2.1-5: Blaskowitz 1784 Map of Halifax showing location of Area B. 

Figure 3.2.1-6: The Commandant’s Quarters, 1830. 





Figure 3.2.1-7: The Commandant’s Quarters, 1838. 

Figure 3.2.1-8: Sketch of Military Ordinance Property in Halifax, 1851. 





The detail of the ordinance sketch does not reveal any throughway or rudimentary road 

representing Dundonald Street to compliment Jackson’s map or the 1762 Crown Lands 

map, but this is not surprising since the artists may not have viewed such a feature as 

ordinance property. 

The first definitive depiction of Dundonald Street comes from the 1850 plan of the land 

owned by John Strachan, complete with numbered lots (Figure 3.2.1-9). This is followed 

by Clark’s 1869 map of Halifax, showing the Field Officer’s Quarters, named the 

General’s Head Quarters, without the level of detail shown in the ordinance sketch of 

1851 (Figure 3.2.1-10). Dundonald Street also figures prominently in Ruger’s 1879 

panoramic view of Halifax (Figure 3.2.1-11). 

Along with showing the position of Dundonald Street and what are potentially its first 

residents, the panoramic view of Halifax shows an artistic depiction of the 

Commandant’s Quarters and the associated stables. The Drill Room, designated number 

84, is outside the study area. 

Figure 3.2.1-9: Dundonald Street, 1850. 





Figure 3.2.1-10: Clark’s Map of Halifax, 1869. 

Figure 3.2.1-11: Panoramic View of Halifax, 1879, showing Bellevue and Dundonald Street. 

Hopkin’s 1878 Land Atlas of Halifax provides the most accurate depiction of the 

Commandant’s Quarters associated with Dundonald Street (Figure 3.2.1-12). The 

residences of Dundonald Street are well defined on this map and clearly show the 

presence of Gordon and Keith’s Furniture Factory, an adjacent building owned by them, 

and the names and addresses of other residents in a mixture of brick and wooden homes. 





According to a 1931-1932 report by the Provincial Museum of Nova Scotia, by the time 

the Hopkin’s Atlas was published, the Commandant’s Quarters were already at least three 

quarters of a century old. Those researchers believed the house, now referred to as 

‘Bellevue’ or the ‘Bellevue House’, was erected around 1800-1801 to serve as a 

residence for the commander of the army. The property was purchased in 1800 by the 

Duke of Kent from Captain Robert Duport for £900, likely the resident of the site as 

depicted on the 1784 Blaskowitz map. That property, however, appears to contain a 

larger house than Bellevue, suggesting the original residence was either destroyed or 

modified to meet the needs of the military. 1885 newspaper journalists believed the house 

was 120 years old 2 , suggesting the existing Bellevue House was indeed a modified 

version of the property seen on the Blaskowitz map. Every commander-in-chief of the 

army resided in Bellevue from 1801 to 1906 when the last Imperial forces were 

withdrawn from Halifax 3 . 

In 1878, the state of Bellevue was poor, prompting General McDougall to request a 

different accommodation, noting its deserted appearance and its history as “probably the 

only whole building now standing which was built by the Duke of Kent”, and “what was 

thought an almost palatial residence having been little altered or improvised is now [an] 

old fashioned inconvenient box” 4 . A photo taken by Royal Engineers sometime between 

1870 and 1885 depicts Bellevue as the General would have seen it (Plate 2). 

Less than a decade after General McDougall’s comments, the house was converted into 

officer’s quarters, and subsequently, Bellevue was gutted by fire on the night of March 

10 th 1885 (Plate 3). The two-alarm fire did more damage than it should have due to the 

slow-acting local fire boxes, and though the fire started at 11:30pm, it took several hours 

into the following morning to control it. The fire was believed to have started from a 

faulty flue, originating on the second floor in the room of Lieutenant Fox Strangways 5 . 

Bellevue was rebuilt during 1886-1887 6 , along with a new addition shortly after 7 , and by 

1894 the house was receiving guests, including Lord Aberdeen, then Governor-General 

of Canada 8 . Photographs of Dundonald Street in 1872 and 1896, taken from the roof of 

the old and then-new Bellevue house, show the atmosphere of the city (Plates 5 and 6). 

Beginning in the late 19 th century, this city block saw significant changes which ceased 

abruptly. After 1892 and the destruction of the Drill Shed next to the study area (Figure 

3.2.1-13), remarkably few new buildings were erected or removed until the construction 

of the Infirmary. Figures 3.2.1-14 to 3.2.1-17 illustrate the stable environment of the 

block through a series of fire insurance plans dating from 1895, 1911, 1914, and 1918, 

while Plate 6 shows an aerial view of the block in 1921. 

2 Morning Chronicle 11 March 1885 p.3 

3 Report of the Provincial Museum of N.S., 1931-32, p. 43 

4 Citizen and Evening Chronicle 3 June 1878 p.3 col.1 

5 Morning Chronicle 11 March 1885 p.3 

6 Halifax Mail Star 23August 1955 p.6 

7 Report of the Provincial Museum of N.S., 1931-32, pg.44 

8 Halifax Herald 21 August 1894 p.8 





Figure 3.2.1-12: Hopkin’s Land Atlas for Halifax, 1878. 





After World War II, Dundonald Street and the Bellevue property began to undergo 

significant changes. In 1948 the Bellevue property was turned over to the city of Halifax 

as military surplus, and subsequently sold to Maritime Telegraph and Telephone 

Company 9 . In 1955 the property was expropriated by the Nova Scotia Technical College 

and Bellevue house was torn down 10 to make way for a parking lot (Plates 7 and 8). 

Significant changes also occurred in this block with the construction of the New Halifax 

Infirmary on Queen Street. In 1886, the Sisters of Charity opened a Home for Aged 

Women on the corner of Barrington and Blower Streets, a building which would later be 

known as the Halifax Infirmary 11 . This was the first of three buildings built by the Sisters 

of Charity, with the second building built in 1903 and the third, on Queen Street, in 

1933 12 . In the late 1920s, architectural plans for the New Infirmary were created by S.P. 

Dumaresq, and by 1936 the building dominated the lot from the top of the northern 

Dundonald Street buildings to the bottom of the Bellevue lot 13 . Fire insurance plans from 

1949, 1951, and 1971 detail the growth of the Infirmary property (Figures 3.2.1-18 – 

3.2.1-20). 

In 1959 the infirmary was given the right to expand their property onto the former 

Bellevue property, which was not extensive, and down into Dundonald Street, which 

caused the eventual closure of the street in 1966 14 . A notable property which was 

destroyed by the closing of Dundonald Street was the Gordon & Keith furniture factory, a 

property which appears on the 1879 panoramic view of Halifax, Hopkin’s Land Atlas for 

1878 (Fig. 3.2.1-12), and the 1892 plans for a new Drill Shed (Fig. 3.2.1-13). The factory, 

known for producing furniture in good style and of lasting quality, was burnt down twice 

and rebuilt each time until the turn of the century 15 , when it appears on an 1895 fire 

insurance plan as ‘ruins’ (Fig.3.2.1-14). 

9 Halifax Mail Star 16 January 1948 p.1 c.7-8 

10 Halifax Mail Star 4 August 1955 p.1, 23 August 1955 p.6 

11 Halifax Chronicle-Herald 26 April 1986 p.4-7. 

12 NSARM Scrapbook #42 pg. 63. 

13 The Catholic Diocesan Directory of Nova Scotia 1936 p.63. 

14 Mail Star 1966 March 7 pg.31. 

15 Mail Star 1966 March 7 pg.31. 





Figure 3.2.1-13: Plans for a new Drill Shed, 1892. 





Figure 3.2.1-14: Halifax Fire Insurance Plan of 1895. 





Figure 3.2.1-15: Halifax Fire Insurance plan of 1911. 




















\ 

Figure 3.2.1-19: Halifax Fire Insurance Plan 

of 1951. 










In 1973, the Infirmary ownership and management was transferred from the Sisters of 

Charity to the Province, sparking more renovations, additions, and new facilities on the 

property 16 . In 1998, the Infirmary was closed, and due to concerns by the Halifax 

Regional Fire and Emergency Service, it was demolished in 2005. Currently, almost all 

of Area A is reserved for parking. 

3.2.2 Area B: The Halifax Memorial Library Property 

Located at the northwest corner of Spring Garden Road and Grafton Street, the land 

where the Halifax Memorial Library sits today was used for the burial of soldiers and the 

poor as early as 1762, only thirteen years after the founding of Halifax. 17 The surviving 

document pointing to this date is unfortunately an 1845 copy of the 1762 map, but 

nevertheless some weight should be given to the map’s depiction of the cemetery so early 

in Halifax’s history (Figure 3.2.2-1). 

Figure 3.2.2-1: An 1845 reproduction of a 1762 map showing the burial grounds. 

16 Halifax Mail Star 1976 January 19 th pg.21. 

17 Spry, William. Lands Adjoining or Near the Governor’s Farm, Spring Garden Road. NSARM Map 

Collection V6/240-1762. 





The Journal of Assembly reported in 1845 that the cemetery had been in use in 1780 or 

1781 for the interment of paupers and Hessian soldiers. 18 In 1778, a Hessian regiment 

was stationed at the “Great Barrack,” probably the South Barrack at the south end of 

Albemarle (Market) Street. 19 The Poor House Cemetery was almost immediately adjacent 

to this barrack, and would be a logical choice for conveniently burying a large number of 

soldiers. The city’s poor house was adjacent the cemetery at Spring Garden Road, Queen 

and Doyle Streets (Figure 3.2.2-1). 

Around 1818, the burial ground was reportedly a “standing nuisance in consequence of 

the want of drainage and the careless manner in which bodies of paupers were interred. 

After the law for closing all places of burial in the city had been carried into operation, 

this open space was planted with trees and the ground carted in to fill up hollow places, 

and a substantial wall built around it.” 20 

The manner of burial of the poor is not clear at this time. The above passage seems to 

indicate they were not carefully interred, but beyond that it is a mystery. None of the 

expenses associated with burial are listed in mid-19 th century account books for the Poor 

House, but Mitchell (1999) notes that in England and Germany the burden of burial 

expenses was placed on the community or on the parish. 21 She also notes that in Europe 

the poor were often buried in a simple shroud or in a shared “communal” coffin. 22 

A. E. Marble estimates the number of burials in the cemetery to be an extraordinary 4,500 

people. 23 He postulates that the 1833 statute passed in Halifax, preventing burials inside 

the town, 24 did not take effect in this particular case. An 1845 petition on the subject of 

the cemetery supports this hypothesis: it makes reference to the land, which “now is used 

and occupied for the purpose of the Burial ground for the said Asylum.” 25 The purpose of 

the letter is to request permission to continue to use the land as a burial ground. The 

petition also mentions that the cemetery, along with St. Paul’s Cemetery (now commonly 

known as the Old Burying Ground at the corner of Barrington and Spring Garden), was 

transferred to the Church Wardens and the Vestry of St. Paul’s in 1793. At this time, the 

land the cemetery occupied was listed as “somewhat more than an acre.” 

18 Journal and proceedings of the House of Assembly. Halifax, N.S.: s.n., 1845, Appendix 66. 

19 Marble, Alan Everett, Surgeons, smallpox and the poor : a history of medicine and social conditions in 

Nova Scotia, 1749-1799. Ontario: McGill-Queen's University Press 1993 p.27 

20 Akins, T. B. History of Halifax City. Belleville:Mika Publishing, 1973 (reprinted from 1895 edition). 

21 Mitchell, April D. An Anthropological Analysis of Burial Practices in Halifax Between 1749 and 1833 as 

Reflected in Two Halifax Parishes, 1999 p.13. 

22 Mitchell 1999 p.13 

23 Marble, Allan Everett, Physicians, pestilence, and the poor : a history of medicine and social conditions 

in Nova Scotia 1800-1867. Halifax: Trafford Publishing, 2006 p.217 

24 Whidden, John and James F. Gray, Esquires 1835 Chapter XXXI. The Statutes of the Province of Nova 

Scotia, Volume 4, p.207–211. 

25 Unknown (signature illegible). Petition to the House of Representatives of Nova Scotia, from the 

Chairman of the Board of Commissioners. NSARM Microfilm Collection #15623, RG5 Series P Vol. 82 

#56, 19 February 1845. 





In 1853 the cemetery land was conveyed to the City of Halifax and its successors to be 

held as a public square. 26 Little appears to have been done to the property for several 

decades, as an 1879 panoramic view of Halifax illustrates (Figure 3.2.2-2). On this map, 

number 23 is labelled as the Old Poor House Cemetery, while 39 is the Deaf & Dumb 

Asylum. 

Figure 3.2.2-2: Panoramic View of Halifax, 1879, showing the Asylum and cemetery. 

In 1882, the Acadian Recorder and G. G. Gray reported that at least 800 people had been 

buried in the cemetery – significantly less than Marble’s estimate. The burials included 

paupers, Hessian soldiers, and some men from other military regiments like the 84 th , who 

had been in Halifax during and after the American Revolutionary War and had died of an 

unnamed disease. The soldiers apparently died so quickly that coffins could not be made, 

and so their bodies were laid out in a mass grave in the form of a long trench. During this 

time, “[t]he cart came one morning with a load of the dead, and returned for anther, and 

during their absence, one poor fellow, who had been thrown in, supposed to be dead, 

recovered sufficiently to crawl out of the trench, and was found sitting on the bank when 

they returned. He was taken back to the hospital and recovered, it was said at the time.” 27 

In 1872, a meeting of the board of commissioners was held, and it was decided that the 

wall around the cemetery would be lowered to two feet above the ground, and a 

26 Bates, George T. First Settlers in Halifax. 1749. NSARM Map Collection V/6-240. 

27 Acadian Recorder, 9 December 1882, p. 2 col. 4. 





“handsome railing” would be added. 28 Gravelled walks and benches would be added, and 

trees had been planted a while ago. For this work, $2000 would need to be raised. 

The plans of the Board of Commissioners does not seem to have been made a reality until 

ten years later. In 1883 the Morning Herald reported, “The old poor’s burying ground 

[…] is at last to be converted into a public park. The doubts respecting the title have been 

set at rest and the local government has granted it to the city on condition that it shall be 

maintained forever as an open square. It is understood that some public spirited citizens 

intend to solicit subscriptions, and have the ground opened up at once. The old stone wall 

will be torn down and replaced by a neat iron railing.” 29 

One possible architect or planner for the park at this time was E. H. Keating, known for 

his designs of many exhibition ground structures at the time. His plan includes an 

elaborate walkway system (Figure 3.2.2-3), which appears to have been only partially put 

in place, and designs for an iron fence and lanterns (Figure 3.2.2-4). 

To what extent Keating’s Plan was used is not known. By 1921, as seen in an early aerial 

photograph (Plate 9), only a few simple paths can be seen. Other than some trees, the 

only thing occupying the land is the engine house noted as early as 1878 on Hopkin’s 

Atlas. 30 A plan of the park from 1934 confirms that only a few simple paths crisscrossed 

the park in the early 20 th century (Figure 3.2.2-5). 

By the time the Halifax Memorial Library was constructed, the significance of the land as 

a cemetery seems to have faded. The Library was opened on November 12 th , 1951. 

Newspaper articles discussing the opening of the building made no mention of the park’s 

former life as a cemetery. The media refers to the cemetery as “historic Grafton Park,” 

and further states: “Already landscaped, the park in which the library stands has been 

enclosed with a stone wall, and the old benches have been put back so that Haligonians 

can still sit under the trees.” 31 

Don Crowdis, who was the chairman of the committee to construct the library, confirmed 

that the land was no longer known as a cemetery, expressing surprise when he learned of 

its previous use. 32 He recalled that the city council had given permission to construct the 

library in Grafton Park after his committee had gained the financial support of thirty to 

forty businesses and sponsors for the project. He also mentioned that the paved walkways 

in the park were moved southeast before construction plans were finalized to make room 

for the building. 

28 Acadian Recorder, 20 June 1872 p. 3 col. 1 

29 Morning Herald, 5 October 1883 p. 3 col. 1 

30 Hopkins, H.W., 1878. Hopkin’s Land Use Atlas for Halifax City. NSARM Microfilm Collection #958. 

31 Mail-Star, 2 November 1951, p. 2 

32 Don Crowdis, personal communication, 19 January 2009. 





Figure 3.2.2-3: E. H. Keating’s ornate walkway plan for Grafton Park. 

Figure 3.2.2-4: E. H. Keating’s plans for walls and ornamentation in Grafton Park. 





Figure 3.2.2-5: A 1934 plan of Grafton Park. 

The Memorial Library was built, as the name suggests, in memory of the dead from both 

world wars. The building was designed by Leslie R. Fairn and built by Standard 

Construction Company Limited. As Figure 3.2.2-5 illustrates, the Library rests squarely 

in the middle of the cemetery, so it is surprising that no human remains were reported 

during construction of the building. The plan in Figure 3.2.2-6 also confirms Don 

Crowdis’ report that the concrete walkway was moved forward to make way for the 

building. 

An extension was added to the building in 1975, to allow more space for the library’s 

growing book collection. 33 A postcard from two years after the opening of the library 

shows that little has changed in the past 55 years on the library property (Plate 10). 

33 Mail-Star, 25 November 1975. 





Figure 3.2.2-6: A plan of the Halifax memorial Library, 1949. 

3.2.3 Area C: The Clyde Street parking lots. 

In 1749, like the rest of the study area, the Clyde Street parking lots fell outside the main 

fortification. The first evidence for direct ownership of these fields begins in 1762 with a 

series of Crown Land Grants, indicating Richard Bulkeley to be the owner of Area C 

(Figure 3.2.3-1). 

The area appears again on the 1784 Blaskowitz map, which does not indicate any 

significant buildings on the property. The area remains void of habitation until the early 

19 th century, during which it is referred to as ‘Pedley’s Fields’ in an 1836 Assessment 

List 34 . The entire area was characterized by about 62 properties and a number of vacant 

fields, in which the Clyde Street parking lots are located. 

34 PANS Poll Books and Assessments of 1836 





Figure 3.2.3-1: Modern drawing of a Crown Lands Grant, 1762. 

In 1837, quoted in an article appearing in the Novascotian, soon-to-be Premier Joseph 

Howe spoke of the area candidly, stating that 

“A few years ago, there was not a single house in Schmidtville – it was then a 

decent sort of pasture, as we came to school, driving a solitary cow to feed on its 

clover and buttercup – had we told him or had he told us that in 1837 it would have 

contained nearly as many houses as Irish-town did then, a suspicion of insanity 

would have been induced by the remark, and no doubt, when Mr. Tidmarsh and 

others commenced laying off the lots north and west of the Parade Ground by the 

Barracks, it would have been even more difficult to convince any of the believers 

in the property of the world’s standing still, that they would in a few years contain 

nearly as many buildings as Dutch Town could then boast of.” 35 

35 The Novascotian, October 18 th 1837, p.38 c.1 





Figure 3.2.3-2: The 1784 Blaskowitz map showing Area C. 

During a short time, Pedley’s Fields began to disappear as new streets were laid, and that 

which was bounded by Spring Garden Road, South Park Street, Queen Street, and Morris 

Street, was know as Schmidtville. By 1862, the entire area was becoming densely 

populated and had residents on every street 36 . The 1878 Hopkin’s Land Atlas confirms 

this trend only a decade later, with homes and outbuildings covering every lot (Figure 

3.2.3-3). The panoramic view of Halifax drawn in 1879 shows homes completely 

dominating the study area, including a curious building which appears to be sitting in the 

middle of Rottenburg Street, later renamed Clyde Street (Figure 3.2.3-4). Schmidtville 

contained a high proportion of skilled craftspeople during the height of its popularity 

from the 1830s to the 1860s, and these included coopers, sailmakers, and carpenters 37 . 

By the early 20 th century, Schmidtville was considered a slum. In 1947, residents of 

Rottenburg Street were sensitive of their streets name considering the neighbourhood and 

36 PANS Card catalogue, Halifax 31. 

37 Historical Houses 1980. 





petitioned for it to be renamed 38 . Eventually Clyde Street was chosen but perhaps not 

immediately implemented as indicated by the use of Rottenburg in the 1951 fire 

insurance plans (Figure 3.2.3-8). Sometime between the 1950s and 1970s, the end of the 

block bounded by Clyde, Birmingham, and Dresden Row was demolished to make way 

for a parking lot, with the second block bounded by Clyde, Birmingham, and Queen 

Streets, demolished shortly after. 

Figure 3.2.3-3: Hopkin’s Land Atlas, 1878. 

38 Halifax Mail, October 15 th 1947, p.3 





Figure 3.2.3-4: Panoramic View of Halifax, 1879, showing Schmidtville. 
























4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 

The study areas have all been used, beginning from the late 18 th to early 19 th centuries, 

for a number of cultural activities. Area A (the Old Infirmary property) remained pasture 

from the founding of Halifax in 1749 until the late 18 th century, when the corner of 

Spring Garden Road and Queen Street became military property and remained so until 

the 1950s. The southern part of the property became residential shortly after 1800 and a 

street – Dundonald Street - cut through the property. When Dundonald Street closed in 

the 1960s to make way for the New Halifax Infirmary, all the houses were destroyed. The 

buildings on the Old Infirmary property were demolished in 2005 and all cultural soils 

beneath the building were extensively disturbed and/or removed from the site and 

therefore, the likelihood of recovering in situ (undisturbed) archaeological resources in 

that area which was excavated is negligible. However, in situ resources may exist 

beneath the adjacent sidewalks, under standing buildings (such as the old nurses 

residence on Morris Street), and beneath the pay parking lot at the north end of the 

property where the Commandant’s Quarters once stood. 

Area B (the Halifax Memorial Library property) was originally used as a cemetery 

beginning in 1762, and as its origins faded in the eyes of the public, it later became the 

grounds for a public library. As many as 4500 people may have been buried here in the 

18 th and 19 th centuries. Burials undoubtedly remain on the Halifax Memorial Library 

property. Due to the possibility that many of these burials, particularly in times of war 

and epidemics, were shallow, some burials may have been disturbed during construction 

of the wall around the property in the late 19 th century as well as during construction of 

the pathways when the property was converted to Grafton Park. Although there have not 

been confirmed reports, it is highly probable that burials were disturbed during 

construction of the Library building and it is not known what was done with any remains 

that may have been disturbed throughout the centuries. It is possible that disturbed 

burials exist around the foundation of the library and, although disturbed, would require 

the same level of care and attention as any in situ burials. 

Area C (the Clyde Street parking lots) was also a pasture from the founding of Halifax 

until development occurred in the early 19 th century. These buildings became part of an 

area known as Schmidtville, and they were subsequently turned into parking lots after 

1951. Previous excavation in the parking lot bounded by Clyde, Birmingham, and Queen 

Streets revealed remnants of historic 19 th century occupation here. 

5.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 

While the construction of the Infirmary may have destroyed all archaeological resources 

beneath it, historic mapping and documentation of 18 th , 19 th , and 20 th century land use for 

the Clyde Street parking lots, the old Bellevue property, and the Memorial Library 

property, suggests these areas are of high potential for archaeological resources. 





Should these areas be slated for development at any time, it is recommended that 

archaeologists be present during any soil disturbance, including any geotechnical testing 

and demolition activities associated with the standing buildings which may result in 

ground disturbance (i.e. removal of the foundations). Furthermore, it is recommended 

that archaeologists monitor, assess, and record any archaeological resources which may 

be present. 

6.0 REFERENCES 

Acadian Recorder. 1882. “G.G. Gray recounts…” 9 December 1882, p.2 col.4. 

Akins, T. B. 1895. History of Halifax City. Belleville: Mika Publishing (1973 Printing). 

Bates, George T. 1749. First Settlers in Halifax. NSARM Map Collection V/6-240. 

Blaskowitz. 1784. Map of Halifax. V6/240-1784. 

Citizen and Evening Chronicle. 1878, June 1 st . “Bellevue House”. p.3, col.1. 

Clark. 1869. Map of Halifax. V6/240-1869. 

Crowdis, Don. 2009. Personal telephone interview, 19 January 2009. 

Halifax Chronicle Herald, 1986, April 26 th . “The Halifax Infirmary... ‘A Special Place’”. p.4-7. 

Halifax Herald. 1894, August 21 st . List of guests at Bellevue. p. 8. 

Halifax Mail. 1947, October 15 th . Rottenburg Renamed. p.3. 

Halifax Mail-Star. 1948, January 16 th . Bellevue sold to MT&T. p.1, col.7-8. 

Halifax Mail-Star. 1951. History Made as New Library Opens. 2 November, p. 2. 

Halifax Mail-Star. 1955, August 4 th . “Bellevue Sold”. p.1. 

Halifax Mail-Star. 1955, August 23 rd . “Razing Old Residences of Commanding Offiers”. p.6. 

NSARM microfilm collection #7439. 

Halifax Mail-Star. 1955. March 7 th . “End of Dundonald Street Shows How Times Change”. p.31. 

Halifax Mail-Star. 1975. November 25 th . New Extension to Library. 

Halifax Mail-Star. 1976. January 19 th . 2 Million addition to the infirmary. p.21. 

House of Assembly. 1845. Journal and proceedings of the House of Assembly. Halifax, N.S.: s.n., 

1845, Appendix 66. 





HRM Municipal Archives Map Collection B-3-173. 

HRM Procurement Section. 2008. Pre-Development Assessment of Spring Garden Road/Queen 

Street Public Lands Plan. p. 16. 

Jackson map. Halifax, 1749. NSARM V6/240-1749/1945. 

Keating, E.H. 1873. Plan and Details of proposed walks, fence, and gates at the old Poor House 

cemetery. HRM Municipal Archives Map Collection B-3-173. 

Marble, Allan Everett. 1993. Surgeons, Smallpox and the Poor : a History of Medicine and Social 

Conditions in Nova Scotia, 1749-1799. Ontario: McGill-Queen's University Press. 

Marble, Allan Everett. 2006. Physicians, Pestilence, and the Poor : a History of Medicine and 

Social Conditions in Nova Scotia 1800-1867. Halifax: Trafford Publishing. 

Mitchell, April D. 1999. An Anthropological Analysis of Burial Practices in Halifax Between 

1749 and 1833 as Reflected in Two Halifax Parishes. Honours Thesis, Saint Mary’s University. 

Morning Chronicle. 1885, March 11 th . “Fire at Bellevue House”. p. 3. NSARM microfilm 

collection #5,453. 

National Air Photo Library. 1921. Aerial Photograph of Downtown Halifax. Roll K2. 

NSARM Microfilm Collection: Hopkin’s Land Use Atlas for Halifax City. 1878. MFM#958. 

NSARM Microfilm Collection: Fire Insurance Plans: Halifax City 1895. MFM#955 







NSARM Scrapbook on Nova Scotia Vol. II, pg.63. 

Poll Books and Assessments. 1836. Located in NSARM card catalogue, Halifax (31), “Pedley’s 

Field”. 

Report of the Provincial Museum. 1931-1932. “Bellevue House”. pg.43-44. NSARM microfilm 

collection #3,928. 

Royal Surveyors. 1851. Plan of Bellevue, the Commandant’s Headquarters on Spring Garden 

Road. NSARM V6/240-1851 Halifax. 





Ruger Albert. 1879. Panoramic View of the City of Halifax. Library of Congress Online Map 

Collection, . 

Spry, William. 1762. Lands Adjoining or Near the Governor’s Farm, Spring Garden Road. 

NSARM Map Collection V6/240-1762. 

The Catholic Diocesan Directory of Nova Scotia. 1936. pg.63. 

The Novascotian. 1837, October 18 th . pg.38, col.1. 

Unknown.1760s. Unidentified map of Halifax. NSARM V6/240-1760 

Unknown. 1830. Plan of Halifax, north and south suburbs. NSARM V6/240-1830. 

Unknown. 1838. A Plan of the Ground in the vicinity of the Halifax Citadel. NSARM V6/240- 

1838. 

Unknown (signature illegible) . 1845. Petition to the House of Representatives of Nova Scotia, 

from the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners NSARM Microfilm Collection #15623, RG5 

Series P Vol. 82 #56, 19 February 1845. 

Unknown. 1860. Property of John Stranach. V6/240-1860. 

Unknown. 1892. Plans for a new Drill Shed. V6/240-1892. 

Unknown. 1934. Plan of Grafton Park. HRM Archives Map Collection BB-2-7672. 

Whidden, John and James F. Gray, Esquires. 1835. Chapter XXXI. The Statutes of the Province 

of Nova Scotia, Volume 4:207–211. 





PLATES 





Plate 1: Photograph of the General’s Residence, circa 1830s. Photo by Clarke. 

Plate 2: Bellevue house, circa 1870-1885. Photo by the Royal Engineers. 





Plate 3: Bellevue house, March 11th 1885 after being gutted by fire. Photo by the Royal 

Engineers. 

Plate 4: Dundonald St. from the roof of Bellevue, 1872, photo by the Royal Engineers. 





Plate 5: Dundonald St. from the roof of Bellevue, 1896, photo by the Royal Engineers. 

Plate 6: Aerial Photo of Bellevue and Dundonald Street, 1921. 





Plate 7: Bellevue house before demolition, 1955. 

Plate 8: Bellevue house during demolition, 1955. 





Plate 9: Aerial photo of Grafton Park, 1921. 

Plate 10: Memorial Library in 1955. 





Plate 11: Schmidtville, 1888. Photo from the Notman Collection. 

Plate 12: Aerial Photo of Schmidtville, 1921. 





APPENDIX A: 

HERITAGE RESEARCH PERMIT 






APPENDIX E 

PHOTOGRAPHIC REPORTING 






Photo 1: 

5515 Clyde Street, facing northwest. Photo taken by Raissa Collicutt, February 3, 

2009. 

Photo 2: 

1452 Queen Street, facing northeast. Photo taken by Raissa Collicutt, February 3, 

2009. 


Parking Lots at 5515 Clyde Street and 

1452 Queen Street 


SITE PHOTOGRAPHS Job No: 210.05696.00

Photo 3: 

Adjacent properties, southeast of subject properties. Green and brick building on left 

is dry cleaners. Photo taken by Raissa Collicutt, February 3, 2009. 

Photo 4: 

Catch basin in southeast corner of 5515 Clyde Street. Photo taken by Raissa 

Collicutt, February 3, 2009. 






Photo 5: 

Multi-unit residence on east side of 1452 Queen Street property. Photo taken by 

Raissa Collicutt, February 3, 2009. 

Photo 6: 

One of four pole-mounted transformers surrounding the property at 5515 Clyde 

Street. Photo taken by Raissa Collicutt, February 3, 2009. 






Photo 7: 

Pay station building at 1452 Queen Street. Photo taken by Raissa Collicutt, February 

3, 2009. 

Photo 8: 

Cracks in pavement at 1452 Queen Street. Pavement in both parking lots is 

significantly cracked. Photo taken by Raissa Collicutt, February 3, 2009. 






APPENDIX F 

QUALIFICATIONS OF PROJECT PERSONNEL 






ICRAIG CHANDLER, M.Sc., P.Eng 

Senior Project Manager 

Biography 

Craig Chandler is an Environmental Engineer and Senior Project Manager with SLR’s Halifax 

office. With 14 years of professional and project management experience, he has been 

responsible for over 100 projects ranging from detailed contaminated site investigations, 

groundwater monitoring, risk-based remedial strategies, and supervision of large-scale 

remediation projects. 

Professional Accreditations: Professional Engineer, NS, NB, PE, NL 

Achievements, Awards, 

Accomplishments: 

Keynote Speaker at Environmental Services Association 

of Alberta REMTECH Conference, 2005. Gave 

presentations on SYSCO work at five NS conferences 

2004-2008. 

Relevant Experience And Role: 

2003-2008 Project Manager for Environmental Management Consultant (EMC) 

overseeing Phase II and III ESA of SYSCO property (Sydney, NS). Design of 

Phase II ESAs, third party review, design and implementation of groundwater 

monitoring plan, data management, preparation of environmental management 

plans. Project includes 18 ESA studies/100,000 analytical data. 

1999-2001 Project Engineer for the decommissioning of chemical processing facilities at 

Canso Chemicals Limited in Abercrombie Point, Nova Scotia. Work included 

an extensive groundwater monitoring program as part of the operating approval 

from regulator. Mercury impacts were monitored for potential discharge to 

aquatic environment. 

2004-2006 Project Manager for environmental assessment and remediation of the 200- 

hectare Dartmouth Crossing commercial development. Review of industrial 

activities and permits, third party review of ESAs, groundwater monitoring, site 

permitting, liaison with regulators, and provision of expert advice. 

2004-2005 Project Manager and Field Supervisor for Designated Substances Survey of 

11 fuel storage tanks with volumes between 6 and 13 million L at 5 Wing 

Goose Bay, NL. 

2001 Project Engineer conducting site investigations, QA/QC, reporting, technical 

reviews and coordination of Phase I/II & III Environmental Site Assessments 

of approximately 100 Department of Fisheries and Oceans sites in Nova Scotia 

and New Brunswick for Public Works and Government Services Canada. 

2000 Lead Auditor conducting Environmental Audit of Southside Canadian Coast 

Guard Base in St. John’s, NF. Audit augmented existing information in 

preparation for Environmental Management System (EMS) for the base. 

Included wastewater effluent monitoring, reviews of hazardous materials and 

petroleum storage tanks. 

2000 Lead Auditor conducting Environmental Compliance Audits for DND at the 

Civilian Aviation Area of the Goose Bay Airport. Activities included project 

administration, performance of Compliance Audits in relation to ISO 14001 

(EMS) criteria, and preparation of detailed audit reports including 

recommendations. 

1999 Project Engineer designing various components the Otter Lake Waste 

Management Facility near Halifax, Nova Scotia. Field inspection work 

included the collection of leachate and effluent runoff samples from. 

1999 Project Manager preparing pre-design for proposed chemical storage building 

at Bedford Institute of Oceanography. Criteria included physical constraints, 

facility chemical inventories, and National Fire Code of Canada requirements. 

• EDUCATION 

• M.Sc., Environmental 

Engineering, 

University of Guelph, 

1994 

• B.Eng., Civil 

Engineering, Technical 

University of Nova 

Scotia, 1992 

• Certificate of Applied 

Science, Acadia 

University, 1989 

• MAIN SPECIALTY 

• Remediation Planning 

and Site 

Decommissioning 

• AREAS OF 

EXPERTISE 

• Environmental Site 

Assessments 

• Risk-based EMPS 

• Remedial Action Plan 

Development 

• RELEVANT 

INDUSTRY 

EXPERIENCE 

• Government 

• Industrial 

• Institutional 

• Manufacturing 

Last Revised: 2-Apr-08 1/1

IRAISSA COLLICUTT 

Environmental Technologist 

Biography 

Ms. Collicutt is a recent graduate of the Nova Scotia Community College’s two year 

Environmental Engineering Technology – Water Resources program. Over the course of 

her two years spent at NSCC, Ms. Collicutt gained an understanding of such areas as 

limnology, contaminant hydrogeology, surface and groundwater hydrology, wastewater 

treatment and disposal, and groundwater evaluation including aquifer analysis. She 

successfully completed a four-day geology field school course, two courses in Computer 

Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) and a week long surveying course. Her education with 

NSCC also included a four week work experience component that was spent with SLR 

Consulting (Canada) Limited. This work experience led to full time employment with SLR. 

Project Experience 

Phase I Environmental Site Assessments 

• Project Team Member – Ms. Collicutt was involved in the completion of a Phase I 

ESA for Ultramar Limited in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia. She took part in the initial 

interview and inspection and also had a large part in the reporting process. 

• EDUCATION 

• Diploma in Environmental 

Engineering Technology – 

Water Resources, Nova Scotia 

Community College, 2008 

• MAIN SPECIALTY 

• Phase I ESAs 

• RELEVANT INDUSTRY 

EXPERIENCE 

• Surface water sampling 

• Aquifer testing and analysis 

• Surveying 

• Water classification 

• Soil classification 

• HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING 

• Emergency First Aid and CPR 

Level A 

• WHMIS 

• TDG 

• Project Team Member – Raissa helped to conduct a Phase I ESA for Lockheed- 

Martin and was responsible for conducting interviews with personnel associated with 

the subject site. She was responsible for writing, editing and report completion. 

• Project Team Member – SLR, with Ms. Collicutt as part of the field staff, undertook a 

Phase I ESA completed in Kentville, NS. Ms. Collicutt conducted historical research 

of the property and aided in property observation. 

• Project Team Member – Raissa conducted a Phase I ESA on a former service 

station in St. Andre, New Brunswick. 

Phase II Environmental Site Assessments 

• Project Team Member – Raissa was involved in the preparation and completion of 

the Phase II ESA conducted for Ultramar Limited in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia. She 

prepared the health and safety plan for the project and was responsible for ensuring 

that all health and safety protocols were followed over the course of the project. She 

was present for the drilling and installation of five monitoring wells, and aided in their 

development and sampling. 

• Project Team Member – Ms. Collicutt took part in a test pit program completed on a 

vacant property in Kentville, Nova Scotia. She was responsible for observing the work 

completed, sampling, and recording test pit stratigraphy. 

Remediation/Decommissioning 

• Project Team Member – Ms. Collicutt was involved with the environmental site 

assessment completed on CTAS #067 in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. She took part 

in planning the decommissioning of five monitoring wells on site with respect to 

adequately sealing potential contaminant pathways, and helped to enforce health and 

safety procedures. She was also responsible for aiding in the decommissioning of an 

additional monitoring well at the end of the program. 

Last Revised: 02-Feb-06 1/2

IRAISSA COLLICUTT 

Environmental Technologist 

• Project Team Member – Ms. Collicutt was a large contributor in the completion of 

two reports written for Ultramar Ltd. regarding the decommissioning of two former 

service stations in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. 

Hazardous Materials Surveys 

• Project Team Member – Raissa helped to conduct a hazardous materials survey on 

a former service station building in St. Peter’s, Nova Scotia. She was responsible for 

identifying and sampling various types of potentially asbestos-containing material and 

sampling all types of paint found in the building. 

• Project Team Member – Ms. Collicutt conducted a hazardous materials survey of a 

former service station building in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. She was responsible for 

recording all observations on building materials, paints, light ballasts, and appliances 

and helped to sample all the different types of materials identified in the building. 

Other Project Experience 

• Project Team Member – Raissa aided in the process of mapping and scheduling for 

an Atlantic province-wide project dealing with water sampling. She then took part in 

the sampling of various government buildings in towns across Nova Scotia. 

• Project Team Member – SLR undertook the task of completing general chemical 

inventories on ten different Department of Fisheries and Oceans locations across 

New Brunswick. Raissa identified and recorded all potentially hazardous materials 

and units containing ozone-depleting substances in all ten buildings. 

• Project Team Member – Raissa conducted groundwater monitoring at a former 

service station in St. Andre, New Brunswick. Purging and sampling was completed 

using disposable bailers. 

• Project Team Member – Ms. Collicutt conducted low-flow sampling from one 

monitoring well at a Department of Fisheries and Oceans small crafts harbor in New 

Brunswick. She was responsible for recording parameters, observing their 

stabilization, and sampling. 

• Project Team Member – Ms. Collicutt conducted groundwater monitoring at an 

active service station in Sydney, Nova Scotia. She was responsible for purging and 

sampling using bailers from ten wells on the property, and also for the replacement of 

sorbent socks in four of the wells. 

• Project Team Member – Raissa helped in monitoring groundwater using low-flow 

method in Sydney, Nova Scotia. The property is heavily impacted and has been 

undergoing remediation for several years. 

Last Revised: 02-Feb-06 2/2

Phase I - Halifax Regional Municipality

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?