Industrial park sign a symbolic win for Beechville

The historically black community of Beechville, just outside Halifax, celebrated a symbolic victory Saturday.

A new Beechville Industrial Park sign was unveiled at the corner of St. Margarets Bay Road and Lakeside Park Drive. It replaces a sign for the Lakeside Industrial Park.

A press release from the Beechville Community Development Association statedthe "50-year-old struggle is over"and that the change came through the "dogged determination of the Beechville Community."

The shrinking boundaries of the community have been an ongoing concern for decades.

"When our ancestors first came and were granted land,Beechville went from the ArmdaleRotary to almost Five Island Lake," said Patsy Crawford,with the Beechvilleassociation."They just kept moving us back and the boundary lines kept getting smaller and smaller."

Crawford said there are ongoing development concerns in Beechville, and more work to do to restoreland granted to the ancestors of local residents that is now considered Crown land.

But Crawford said renaming the industrial park will encourage people to keep working.

"This is a legacy for our future," said Crawford."Once people see something has been accomplished, it gives them more incentive."

MORE TOP STORIES