The largest sawmill in Nova Scotia once was located in nearby Hastings. The mill was started in 1902 and began operating under the name the Davison Lumber Company in 1903.They built numerous railway lines in the area to haul logs which were connected to the Halifax and South Western Railway running between Bridgewater and Middleton. One rail line connected with Lake Pleasant and to the remote mill area of Crossburn, and as far east as South River Lake near Lake George. Evidence of the old rail lines can still be found today. In 1905, the company built 30 houses, a large three-story cookhouse, an office, and a school. In 1914, Hastings, (the mill site was named after owner John M. Hastings of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) continued to boom with more houses, a warehouse, a store, a doctor's office, and a large clubhouse (which contained a bowling alley, two pool tables, a dressing room and a dance hall). The mill went bankrupt in the 1920s and a fire destroyed the mill in 1928. The fire consumed all the mill buildings and 35 of the remaining 55 houses. On September 10, 2005, a history book was launched in Springfield and a monument at the old lumber mill site was unveiled. Unfortunately, this monument is now on private land and cannot be accessed.
Remember to pick up one of the historical postcards from each of all the 2017 geocaches and then to deliver them to County of Annapolis Recreation Office at 271Granville Street Bridgetown, Nova Scotia. The recreation office is only open from 9 am to 1 pm Monday to Friday. Once completed, fill in the quick survey/passport for your limited edition trackable geocoin. Have fun!