Africville Timeline by Oliver Aucoin

Inter-colonial Railway Destruction

aoc349903 — 2025-01-20 17:25:31 UTC

In 1854, Many houses were demolished in favour of the inter-colonial railway being built straight through Africville, which was a substantial safety hazard.

The American Revolution

aoc349903 — 2025-01-20 17:25:39 UTC

The American Revolution (1765-1783) had the British scrambling to find more arms for war. To increase their numbers, they offered enslaved black Americans freedom and land in Canada if they fought in the war, some of the land being in Africville.

Education in Africville

aoc349903 — 2025-01-20 17:34:18 UTC

In 1883, the first school was established in Africville, finally allowing for a much more convenient way of getting an education. Along with this, now there was more jobs open for teachers around the school.

Industrial land

aoc349903 — 2025-01-20 17:43:00 UTC

In 1947, Africville was designated as industrial land, which was very unfair as it meant that more tactics commonly used in industrial areas could be used in the town.

The First Church

aoc349903 — 2025-01-22 13:17:17 UTC

In 1849, the first church was built in Africville. Black as well as white people were both welcome, where large events and ceremonies like weddings were held

School Shut Down

aoc349903 — 2025-01-22 13:25:35 UTC

In 1953, the only school in Africville was shut down completely, because schools in Halifax had started going through desegregation. This sadly removed some job opportunities, and even then, some children still faced racism from others in the new schools they were assigned.

A "Health Menace"

aoc349903 — 2025-01-22 13:32:01 UTC

In 1955, the Halifax City dump was built near the Africville church. Many residents were enraged at this, as even after schools were desegregated, Other towns refused the dump. The city officials passed it on to Africville, knowing they couldn't stop them, Proving that Africville still faced discrimination.

City Buildings

aoc349903 — 2025-01-22 13:41:03 UTC

Between 1883 and 1947, city officials consistently proceeded to construct unsanitary and undesirable facilities such as prisons and disease hospitals throughout the community of Africville, all the while residents were unable to speak out about their concerns.

Destruction plans

aoc349903 — 2025-01-22 13:47:04 UTC

Throughout 1962-1964, The "North Shore Development Plan" Had ordered the destruction of Africville, which was much less regulated as it was designated as an industrial area.

Destruction

aoc349903 — 2025-01-22 13:50:12 UTC

From 1964-1967, All of the residents of Africville were kicked out and had their houses demolished. This was so the MacKay bridge could be built in the flat area destroying Africville.

Africville Gone

aoc349903 — 2025-01-24 17:27:06 UTC

In 1970, the last resident of Africville, 'Aaron Pa Carvery', was forced to leave, officially closing the community for good.

aoc349903 — 2025-01-24 17:41:04 UTC

32 years after the last resident left Africville, in 2002, it was declared a national site, which increased awareness and popularity of the situation.

Apology

aoc349903 — 2025-01-24 17:45:19 UTC

In 2010, Mayor Peter Kelly issued an official apology to everybody affected by the destructed of Africville, although this was accepted, 15 years later we still have not have any more action taken.