The Cape Breton community of Whitney Pier has been one of the most ethnically diverse places in the Maritimes for well over a century. That rich history is now being recognized by the prime minister as a symbol of Canada's diversity.

Nearly a century before the term multiculturalism was coined, Whitney Pier was a melting pot of 15 separate ethnic groups.

Sandra Dunn is the former president of the Whitney Pier Historical Museum. She sent a letter to the federal government three years ago to nominate her community as a site of historic significance. However, she started to lose hope when there was no response.

“I just put it out of my mind,” says Dunn. “I just thought, ‘oh well were not going to get it,’ and after three years, you don't hear anything, you kind of figure maybe it's going to go in another direction.”

Dunn’s efforts paid off. She recently received a letter from the federal government naming the development of Whitney Pier as a national historic event and she's thrilled.

“This community is so unique and special. It deserves that designation, of any place on earth that deserves that type of designation, it's this community.”

Simon Gillis lives in Whitney Pier and volunteers at the museum. He says his community stands out because it's still so diverse.

“When you can go around and hit pierogi sales at the Ukrainian church and at the Polish church, you have the Caribbean festival with chicken and rice and the hot sauces, who would want to go anywhere else?” says Gillis. “The food around here is fabulous, as you can tell by my girth.”

Between 1899 and 1930, Whitney Pier had the largest number of ethnic groups in the Maritimes, as immigrants from around the world came to the area for well-paying jobs at the steel plant and coal mines.

“This was the main heart of the city at one time,” says Gillis. “It would be comparable to Gottingen Street in Halifax, that used to be the centre, then Barrington Street took over. Here Charlotte Street took over. We had over 100 stores here.”

Dunn hopes the heritage status will raise the community's profile again.

“We weren't so much as a destination, I think we might be coming more of a destination as our story gets out,” says Dunn.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Kyle Moore