A little about us.

However, three centuries of European settlement represent a small segment of time when compared to the nearly 60 centuries of Mi'kmaq settlement on the banks of "Pitjinoiskog", the LaHave River. 

Bridgewater, located a protective 15 miles inland, was an ideal settlement location. The numerous streams in the area provided ample power for the operation of industrial mills to harvest the hemlock and pine. 

The first house recorded on the west side was built by Ralph Hotchkiss in 1812, at the site of the corner of King and Phoenix Streets. The oldest home still standing in Bridgewater is the "Ramey House", on the east side, perhaps built before the turn of the 19th century. Even then, these two emerging settlements were not joined by a bridge until about 1825. The Confederation period saw the settlement at Bridgewater develop schools, industries, newspapers, and a fire brigade. Before the turn of this century, the town was being serviced by a regular stagecoach, steamship, a railroad center and a Board of Trade. 

In January 1899, this growth was dealt a blow by the "Big Fire" which completely destroyed the downtown core. One month later, the community came together as an Incorporated Town. Five months later, a new streetscape greeted visitors to downtown Bridgewater. 

After WWI, the growth of industry, automobiles, pavement and public transit made Bridgewater a town in which many people of today would feel at home.