Springhill, Nova Scotia

Springhill is a small Canadian town in Cumberland County, Nova Scotia. The population in 2001 was 4,091.

Related Topics:
Canadian - Cumberland County - Nova Scotia - 2001

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The town is famous for being the childhood home of international recording star Anne Murray. The Anne Murray Centre, located in town, is a local tourist attraction.

Related Topics:
Anne Murray - Anne Murray Centre

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The town is also infamous for its coal mines which operated from the 1870s-1958, while being the site of three devastating mining disasters, the last of which permanently closed all mining in the region.

Related Topics:
Coal mines - 1870s - 1958 - Mining disasters

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The abrupt end of the coal mining industry presented incredible economic challenges to the town but provincial and federal government assistance to diversify the local economy, coupled with the decision to open a federal medium-security penitentiary in the community, is making inroads.

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An unexpected legacy and benefit from the closed mines is being realized in geothermal energy. The mines in Springhill were among the deepest in the world at over 14,000 feet below the surface. Since closure, the mines have filled with ground water which is heated to an average temperature of 18º C by the surrounding earth. Beginning in the late 1980s this heat source has been exploited by companies located in Springhill's industrial park, situated on the land where the surface facilities of the coal mines were located, reducing winter heating bills substantially.

Related Topics:
Geothermal energy - C - 1980s

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