HALIFAX -- Halifax is a city known for its rich history and one place that has drawn increased visitors is the city’s mystery walls, located near the wooded area in the Bayer’s Lake Business Park. They are massive stone wall structures made of stacked rocks that Nova Scotia historian David Jones called a must-see destination for history buffs. “The area opens up and you’re like, ‘Wow,’ and then your next reaction is, ‘What is this?’” said Jones. Amateur photographer Graeme Coxon has visited the walls several times. “You would not know about this, unless someone told you,” said Coxon. “This place is a treasure.” Saint Mary’s University archeology professor Jonathan Fowler has studied the location for more than 10 years. “When I first saw that site, I thought, ‘Cool’ and then I thought, ‘Students are going to like this,’” said Fowler. Part of the appeal for visitors is the mystery behind the walls, including their intended purpose. Fowler shared his theory on why the walls were constructed. “It just doesn’t have the normal things that a house has, including a hearth and it doesn’t fit military architecture for this period,” he said. “I tend to lean to the animal husbandry hypothesis. I think it was a vernacular structure, and some farmer or shepherd built it.” The questions surrounding the construction of these walls adds to the overall curiosity, but when they were built is a key part of the greater mystery. “I think at first instinct it is a few hundred years,” said Jones. Fowler agreed, estimating the walls likely date back to the late 1700s. The entire area is now designated as a registered archeological site. That means the walls can’t be removed and no construction will take place at the location. The stone rock walls have been preserved for future archeological study, while adding another layer to the history of the Halifax area.
