Head of Chezzetcook, Nova Scotia, is a picturesque rural community nestled on the Eastern Shore Marine Drive route of Halifax Regional Municipality. The area, which begins at the intersections of routes 7 and 207 near Porters Lake and West Chezzetcook, extends along the Marine Drive to Gaetz Brook. A mere 29.52 kilometers from Downtown Halifax, Head of Chezzetcook was once a bustling port for ships delivering supplies to local gold miners and early settlers. Today, it offers a tranquil vista of the sea marking the Head of Chezzetcook Inlet, and a fork in the road leading to East Chezzetcook and Conrod Settlement.
The early settlers of Head of Chezzetcook were a diverse mix of French, English, Scottish, German, and other descents. In the late 18th century, Acadian farmers supplied marsh hay to the newly founded Halifax, while lumberjacks provided wood for building. The area was once home to industries such as fish processing and a brick factory, and even today, a saw mill remains in operation.
The discovery of gold in nearby East Chezzetcook brought a boom to the area. However, many of the historic buildings, including gas stations, the local post office, the church hall, and many little general stores, have long since disappeared. On 1 July 1916, the railway officially opened, passing through the Head of Chezzetcook Inlet, connecting Dartmouth to Musquodoboit, and carrying both passengers and freight. In 1985, years after the last train, the tracks were taken up, leaving miles of open trails, some of which are designated for recreation.
The Chezzetcook Historical Society has been formed to preserve the culture and history of the Chezzetcooks. West and East Chezzetcook have a rich history in soft shell clam fishing, a tradition that continues today, albeit in decline due to overfishing, coastal development, and pollution. However, with the efforts of The Eastern Shore Clam Fishers Association (ESCFA) and local clam fishermen, the future of the clam industry may become stable again.
Routes 7 and 107 connect Head of Chezzetcook to metro Halifax and other communities along the Eastern Shore. The East Chezzetcook Road and Conrod Settlement Road branch off from Trunk 7, connecting Head of Chezzetcook to East Chezzetcook, Lower East Chezzetcook, and Conrod Settlement.
Head of Chezzetcook offers a variety of recreational activities, including fresh water and ocean beaches, hiking and walking trails, ocean kayaking, sightseeing in the estuary, and provincial parks. Vacation homes are available for overnight stays, and facilities and stores can be found nearby in Porters Lake. In spring 2020, the Gaetz Brook Greenway opened, with the trail beginning in East Chezzetcook.
The housing in Head of Chezzetcook mainly consists of single-family homes, featuring a mix of older wood-shingled cape and saltbox style houses along the shore, with more modern bungalow and larger homes in newer developments. This area is rural compared to neighboring Porters Lake, which is mainly subdivided.
Head of Chezzetcook is home to a population of 2,020, with a total of 865 dwellings spread across a land area of 47.6805 km².
