Goodwood

A short drive west out of Halifax, on Route 333 (Prospect Road), is the former farming area of Goodwood, south of Ragged Lake. Apple trees of the first settlers can still be seen. At one time, the homesteads of the community were moved because of watershed needs. Homes that weren't relocated were buried under water.

The first land grants were issued in 1775 to John Gosbee, Thomas Wagner, John Bower and Philip Tollmer. Drysdale and Umlah families arrived during the 1860s. The Drysdales consisted of several brothers and their sons including Charles, James Sr., James Jr., William and John. Descendents of these settlers still live in the area.

Marjorie Tremain writes about coming from Halifax in the early days: "You came up the Bay Road to the house of Joseph McCleave and this was the first house on the Arm Hill. Then you turned into the Prospect Road where there was a house owned by an Umlah who operated a small farm with a few chickens. A slight incline known as Shoemaker's Hill was named for a shoemaker by the name of Herbert Welsman. You travelled along after on a fairly level stretch on which there was a cabin occupied by a Toher. Where the watershed property is now situated, were two houses owned by Dave and Archie Drysdale. Several miles further along was Charlotte Drysdale's (nee Walsh from Prospect). At Charlotte's everyone took care of their horses, got a hot toddy and a meal, and a pair of wool socks if needed. Next came the home of Joshua Umlah who travelled with the mail from Halifax. A level stretch known as the Long Bog came next before a house was passed at Hatchet Lake owned by William Umlah. You passed Hatchet Lake then down Christian's Hill into White's Lake where the only house at that time was owned by Pat Kerwick. Then along the way came houses owned by Charles Christian and his brother William. The Prospect Bay turnoff is next and you proceed straight ahead to Cahill's Hill and on the left was the home of Michael Burke. A little along the right was the home of Dr. Tyler who married Lillie Redmond and this section was always known as Tyler's Patch."

Drysdale family members known by Fred Slaunwhite of Terence Bay were Dressy, Fred, Halley and Lila. Fred recalled the horses and wagon wheels were always getting stuck in the Goodwood area when he travelled in winter from Spryfield back to Terence Bay. Teacher Muriel Bartlett remembers being a boarder at Jesse Drysdale's when she taught in Goodwood for two years.