Eastville and its heritage history

Eastville’s heritage offers several ways to understand the town’s history. Springside United Church, Eastville Schoolhouse, and Eastville Cemetery reflect different developments: construction and later changes, the history of a church, and the evolution of a cemetery. If you’re looking for a hotel in Eastville, this local history can be a useful point of reference when choosing your destination—especially if you’re interested in architectural and community history.

Eastville Schoolhouse: construction and later changes

Eastville Schoolhouse was built in 1876 in the Classic Greek Revival style. In the late 1940s, it was moved 50 to 75 feet onto a concrete-block foundation. The construction date and relocation mark different phases: it was built in the 19th century, while the change of location took place decades later. The style and subsequent relocation therefore describe different aspects of the building’s history.

The exterior remains largely original, with the exception of the steel roof; today, the building is used as a community centre. The schoolhouse brings together architectural continuity and change: much of the exterior has been preserved, while the building was relocated and now serves as a community centre. Both its architectural style and its later use are relevant to the town’s history.

Springside United Church: construction and preservation

Springside United Church was built by John Crockett in 1857, opened in 1858, and consecrated in February 1859. This sequence distinguishes construction from opening and consecration. When the church closed on September 30, 2019, it was the oldest church building in the Stewiacke Valley. Its early construction history and later closure form clearly distinct periods.

In January 2020, the Springside Community Centre Association acquired the former church and the adjoining hall. Its mandate includes preserving the heritage buildings and operating an independent community centre. Springside United Church is a municipal heritage property in Eastville. The closure and subsequent acquisition add the history of preservation to the building’s chronology, while remaining distinct events in time.

Eastville Cemetery: from family cemetery to community cemetery

Eastville Cemetery adds the evolution of a cemetery to the buildings’ histories. It began in 1856 as a family cemetery on part of Charles Cox’s farm in Upper Stewiacke. Over time, the former family cemetery developed into a community cemetery. The cemetery is located in Eastville; its historical origins are linked to the farm in Upper Stewiacke. This distinguishes its location from its origins.

Understanding Eastville’s heritage

There are several themes to explore: architecture and changes to the schoolhouse, the construction and preservation history of Springside United Church, and Eastville Cemetery’s transformation from a family cemetery to a community cemetery. These stories show Eastville’s heritage from different perspectives and can help you choose the destination based on your historical interests.

Discover more destinations: Riverside, Great Village, Tatamagouche, Brookfield, Shubenacadie East, Alton, Truro, Upper Stewiacke

For the broader travel overview: Colchester County.