Demolition is underway of a commercial cable station in Hazel Hill, N.S., that was once used to relay telegraph messages across the Atlantic Ocean
The station was built in 1888 and closed in 1962, after being utilized for more than 70 years. It was used to relay all telegraph messages between North America and Europe – as many as 3,000 a day.
A local group tried to find a way to save the structure, but was unsuccessful.
“I knew it had to come down, just because of safety,” says Darren Bennett of the Building Rehabilitation Society. “When I walked by earlier, I did have a little cry. It's a hard day.”
Doug Rattray, whose father and grandfather used to work in building, tried to save the building several times.
“It's a bad loss for the community. Right now, it's gone. Terrible,” says Rattray. “Many's a time I was in and out of that building with my father.”
The Municipality of the District of Guysbourough owns the property and is paying the estimated $100,000 cost of demolition.
“We don't like to lose any piece of infrastructure,” says Guysborough County warden Vernon Pitts. “But it's to the point now that you're likely looking at in excess of $10 million to bring that building up to a standard.”
Demolition and cleanup is expected to be finished by the end of the week.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Dan MacIntosh.
