The 1834 Great Map, River John and Vicinity 1841, AF Church
county maps 1864, and the Pictou County Illustrated Historical
Atlas 1879, are now available on www.novastory.ca, courtesy of
the Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library. “This is part of our
Regional Public Library’s commitment to making local information
and heritage for Antigonish and Pictou counties accessible to
everyone, citizens and visitors alike” says Library Board Chair
Troy MacCulloch. “People use the atlas and church maps often in
our libraries and local museums but having them online makes
them accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.” The 1834
Great Map is a particular treasure as the only copy available is
in Halifax at the Nova Scotia Archives. Few people from the
Antigonish and Pictou areas will have ever viewed it. This map,
hand drawn by Pictonian surveyor William MacKay shows roads,
settlements, and many other features in good detail. The Great
Map panel for the River John area is missing but with help from
the local historical as