top of page

Stagecoaches

Roland VanNorden started a stagecoach business between Tusket and Yarmouth in 1865. The following year, he received the contract to carry Her Majesty's Royal Mail between these places every day except Sundays. Sometime later, Van Norden added a Pubnico-to-Yarmouth route, with a stop to change horses in Tusket. In addition to passengers, the stagecoach could also carry small freight.

Two stagecoaches were owned and operated by William Van Norden during the mid-to-late 1800s.

Another is believed to have been made locally. It carried six passengers inside and two outside. It was donated by Mr. Arthur Hill. 

Our final stagecoach was made by the Abbott-Downing Company of Concord, New Hampshire. It may have been used by other stagecoach services elsewhere in Nova Scotia. Pulled by four or six horses, there was room for nine passengers inside and six outside. Three could sit on each bench with two or three more on the moveable seat in the center. Those on the outside would sit beside the driver or on the front edge of the roof behind the driver's seat. Mailbags were carried in the space between the driver's legs and on the rear baggage rack.

Roland, and later his son William, continued to provide stagecoach service between Pubnico and Yarmouth until 1897, when the railway arrived.

More info

Location

22 Collins Street

Yarmouth, NS

B5A 3C8

Canada

Contact

(902) 742 -5539 

Tue-Sat | 2pm - 5pm

Explore

Info

Social

  • White Facebook Icon

Donate

PayPal ButtonPayPal Button

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Yarmouth County Museum and Archives, owned by the Yarmouth County Historical Society stands on Mi’kma’ki (Mi’kmaq Territory) and supports culture, education, and arts on this land. We strive for meaningful partnerships with all the peoples of this province as we continue to live and work here. Through the Peace and Friendship Treaties, which the Mi’kmaq, Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet), and Passamaquoddy Peoples first signed with the British Crown in 1725-1726, there was no surrender of lands nor resources. Agreements within these Treaties outline a path for the ongoing relationship between Nations in mutual respect.

©2025 Yarmouth County Museum & Archives 

Website logo white.png
bottom of page