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LOCATION:

These two communities are located approximately twenty-four kilometers from Halifax. West Dover is situated on the Peggy's Cove Road at the entrance to Blind Bay while East Dover leads from the Peggy's Cove Road down the East Dover Road to McGrath's Cove.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

In 1893 the two locales were known as Ocean Glen and also included what today are West Dover, McGrath's Cove and Scott's Point. It took an Act of Legislation to divide the area into East and West Dover. The name Dover was chosen to serve as a reminder to the settlers of the seaport on the south coast of England by the same name.

SETTLEMENT HISTORY:

Several Scottish families along with a few Irishmen moved to the area. James Carrie received 124 acres in 1855 while the three Fader brother were issued their grants in 1865, 1866 and 1877 respectively. In 1875, William Burns joined them with a grant of one hundred acres.

COMMUNITY HISTORY:

In the late 1800s, the communities were prosperous fishing villages with a post office, hotel, schools and several businesses.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHT:

The pride of East Dover is the magnificent St. Thomas Catholic Church, which was built in 1888. It stands atop solid rock, which had to be blasted by dynamite to ensure the building would not topple over.

GENEALOGY:

Other families arrived to settle the area after 1875, including the Duggans, Coolens, Tanners, Scotts, Forens, Connors and Murphys. The Scott family settled at Scott's Point on McGrath Cove along with the Foren and Connor families.