In early records, the town was called "Springhill Mines." Coal mining lead to the establishment and growth of the town, and until the 1960s, it was the town's only significant economic activity. Springhill was incorporated in 1889, and had an 1896 population of 4901. The town is famous for both the Springhill Mining Disaster and being the childhood home of international recording star Anne Murray. The Anne Murray Centre, located in town, is a local tourist attraction.
Located on the highest ground between Minas Basin and Northumberland Strait, in the Cobequid Mountains, Springhill has an elevation varying from 140 to 185 metres above sea level. Located in the carboniferous area on the southern side of the Cumberland Coal Basin, Springhill's six main coal seams overlie one another. The seams, separated by strata of sandstone and shale from eleven to one hundred and ten meters thick, were once horizontal, but, because they were raised by internal earth movement, now slope sharply down into the earth. The seams dip to the northwest at an angle of thirty-five degrees.
Coal In Springhill
Mine entrance.
Mine shed
The town is also well known for its coal mines which operated in the industrial park from the 1870s to 1958. Coal was so prevalent that "there was a time when men got coal out of their backyards; shallow pits were found everywhere. In recent years, there have been instances when a homeowner would step out of his door only to find a big gapping hole where his driveway had been. Another part of an old mine had caved in."[2] Some of the workings were a mile underground, making them among the deepest coal mines in the world.
St John the Baptist Catholic Church, Springhill, NS
Springhill was the site of three devastating mining disasters, or bumps. When a "bump," or underground upheaval, occurred in the mines, they would be felt in the homes on the surface. The third and last of bump resulted in the permanent closure of all major mining in the region. However, small operations lasted until the 1970s.
Springhill after coal
Inside a mine shaft
The abrupt end of the coal mining industry presented incredible economic challenges to the town. An unexpected legacy and benefit from the closed mines is being realized in geothermal energy. The mines in Springhill were among the deepest in the world at over 14,000 feet below the surface. Since their closure, the mines have filled with ground water which is heated to an average temperature of 18° C (65°F) by the surrounding earth. Beginning in the late 1980s, this heat source has been exploited by companies located in Springhill's industrial park, situated on the land where the surface facilities of the coal mines were located, reducing winter heating bills substantially.
The provincial and federal government offered assistance and a federal medium-security Penitentiary, the Springhill Institution[3] was built in the community in an effort to boost the economy.
Other companies, such as world leader in lead-acid battery manufacturing Surrette Battery[4] and Benjamin Heating Products[5] continue to operate in the town.
Christian Child Care International is headquartered in the town. With over 35,000 children sponsored it is the largest Catholic child sponsorship program in Canada.[6]
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