A huge, swaying piece of granite that has attracted visitors for two centuries and is said to have attracted the attention of royalty is of historical significance to the Halifax region, built of stone.
The Halifax Regional Council last week granted heritage status to Rocking Stone and the surrounding Kidston Lake Park in the Spryfield community.
“It’s such a unique feature,” said Arthur Kidston, whose family once owned the land where Rocking Stone is located.
“There are many large granite rocks in the area, but none are as big as this one – nor are any of them rocks.
The Geological Survey of Canada has said that the stone left thousands of years ago by a melting glacier may be the largest rocking rock in the world.
It used to be possible to move Rocking Stone back and forth by the touch of a hand. The stone is known as glacial unstable, which means that it was transported on site by a glacier and left when the glacier melted. (Rob Short / CBC)
The first published description of the stone was in the Acadian Recorder in Halifax, which described Rocking Stone in 1823 as a “miracle of nature” and noted that it could be “powered by a 12-year-old child,” according to a Regional Staff report. Halifax municipality.
Kidston connection
Kidston’s relationship with Rocking Stone dates back generations.
The stone was on the family’s dairy farm for more than 100 years before Kidston’s father donated part of the land, including the unique stone, to the former Halifax County community to operate as a public park.
“Over the years, we’ve brought so many people to visit the rock, whether it’s for a picnic or a photo shoot,” Kidston said.
“It’s part of our heritage and way of life.”
The stone has also attracted some remarkable visitors.
Former British Prime Minister Bonar Lowe, whose mother was Kidston, played rock as a child. Kidston said it was rumored that King George V had visited the stone and had tea with his grandfather.
Arthur Kidston with his children, brother, nieces and nephews of Rocking Stone. (Submitted by Arthur Kidston)
The municipal staff report says Rocking Stone has long been a “well-known geological curiosity”, measuring six meters long, four meters wide and not exactly three meters high. It is not known exactly how much it weighs, but estimates range from 147 tonnes to 431 tonnes, the report said.
No more rock
Increased use of the area has some detrimental effects on the stone’s ability to swing.
A group of Halifax garrison soldiers reportedly shook the stone so vigorously that it adjusted slightly, but visitors were still able to shake it with the lever.
Rocking Stone has been a popular picnic spot for 200 years. The HRM staff report notes that the rock was probably discovered by Mi’kmaq long before it was mentioned in the written reports. (Rob Short / CBC)
After the land was given to the municipality, the land bordering Lake Kidston was used as a site for the Timberlea Lumber Company. Due to the increase in debris stuck under the rock, the stone was motionless.
This remained the case until the community’s efforts in the 1990s caused Kidston’s favorite landmark to shake again. The fire department cleaned the debris with a hose and visitors could witness the magical movement with the help of a lever.
But Kidston said there is still room for improvement.
Kidston and his wife Lola are trying to get some movement out of Rocking Stone. (Rob Short / CBC)
“Maybe it’s time for them to come and do it again,” Kidston said. “Let’s put some of the rock into this swing.”
count. Patti Cuttle said the legacy decision is an important step in protecting both Kidston Lake Park and Rocking Stone from increased development pressures in the area.
“I think it’s really important to recognize the heritage of the park so that we can keep the stone in its original state, which is such an important part of Spryfield’s history,” Cuttle said.
“Protecting it now not only preserves its integrity, but will also help keep you informed of what is happening around the park in the future.”
Kidston hopes the Rocking Stone, which is a heritage site, is a step towards preserving the rest of the lake. (Rob Short / CBC)
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