Eastern Passage is a charming suburban community in Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada. Historically tied to the fishing industry, Eastern Passage has evolved over the years, with its economy now largely defined by the military air base, CFB Shearwater, and several industrial facilities. Today, many residents commute to Downtown Halifax or Dartmouth, thanks to the new highway connections.
Before European settlers arrived, Eastern Passage was a seasonal home to the Mi'kmaq for thousands of years. The Europeans began using the channel seasonally around 1712, while the Mi'kmaq shifted to McNab's Island. The first European settlers were mainly German, French, Irish, and English, and these ethnic groups continue to make up a large portion of the population of Eastern Passage.
Eastern Passage has a rich military history. Fort Clarence, a large gun battery, was constructed in 1754 at the beginning of the French and Indian War. During the American Civil War, the Confederate naval cruiser Tallahassee used the Eastern Passage channel to escape Union naval forces. An American naval air station was constructed during World War I and was taken over by the Royal Canadian Air Force in the 1920s, becoming a large air base during World War II.
The community also has a cultural history. In the 1920s and 1930s, several Eastern Passage residents from the Hartlan and Henneberry families were important sources of Canadian folk songs and stories to Nova Scotia folklorist Helen Creighton.
Located at the southeastern edge of Halifax Harbour, Eastern Passage derives its name from the narrow strait separating the mainland from Lawlor Island and McNabs Island. The "Eastern Passage" into the harbour is not the main shipping channel due to its shallow depths; it is largely used by small recreational boats and fishing vessels during inclement weather. The community covers 1,372 hectares (13.72 km2) of landmass.
Eastern Passage is home to several beaches, including McCormick's Beach, Rainbow Haven Beach, and MacDonald Beach. The community also boasts the Hartlen Point Golf Club, Horizon Recreation Centre, and numerous playing fields. There are several parks and playgrounds in the area, including MacCormick's Beach Provincial Park, Oceanview Skate Park, and Sand Key Drive Park.
Eastern Passage is a vibrant community with various clubs, groups, and organizations. The Horizon Recreation Centre often hosts various activities year-round. The community also has a public tennis court and a new skateboard park that opened in 2006.
As of the 2011 census, 11,738 people lived within the boundaries of Eastern Passage, with a population density of 855 people per km2.
While much of the community is serviced by municipal water, areas on the outer edges of the community require the use of well water and septic systems. The Tallahassee Recreation Centre periodically offers fitness programs and includes a fitness centre for drop-in use. Eastern Passage is served by Halifax Transit routes 6B and 6C, which link the community to the Woodside Ferry Terminal and the Bridge Terminal in Dartmouth.
