Sketches of the Town and Its People in Days Gone By

Originally published in 1918 by Don MacKinnon. This edition published by Old Sydney Society, 1989 1st edition softcover. Book Condition: Very Good with some edge wear. 153 pages.

A collection of historical sketches and local stories about the early history of Sydney, Nova Scotia. Although the ISBN you provided is for a 1989 reprint, the book was originally published in 1918.

Rather than presenting a continuous narrative, the book consists of short chapters that blend documented history with oral traditions, anecdotes, and local folklore. MacKinnon explains in his foreword that many of the stories came directly from elderly residents who remembered the town's earliest days, while other details were drawn from newspapers, letters, and public records.

Some of the topics include:

• The founding and early settlement of Sydney after the arrival of United Empire Loyalists.
• Life in Sydney as a British garrison town.
• Early government, courts, and law enforcement.
• Stories of prominent citizens, judges, soldiers, and merchants.
• Local legends, ghost stories, and Mi'kmaq traditions.
• Schools, newspapers, elections, churches, and civic organizations.
• Historic buildings, notable crimes, fires, and memorable public events.
• Reflections on how Sydney had changed from the late 1700s through the early 1900s.

Overall, the book serves as both a local history and a preservation of community memory. It is especially valuable for readers interested in the social history of Cape Breton because it captures stories and traditions that might otherwise have been lost. While some accounts are based on recollection rather than verifiable records, MacKinnon generally distinguishes between documented history and local tradition.





ISBN: 0969264224

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