Findlay’s Pleasure Ground

Findlay’s Pleasure Ground

As early as 1882 James Findlay began to operate a 'pleasure ground' on McNabs Island. By the early 1890's he had added carnival games, a dance pavilion with a platform for a band, a restaurant and canteen. There was an area for croquet and quoits, a running track, picnic tables, swings and later added a C.W. Parker steam powered carousel. The Findlay operation was in direct competition with Woolnough’s Pleasure Ground, which had been established in about 1873 on the north-west end of the island.

The opening of Garrison Pier about 1895 close to the Findlay Pleasure Ground gave his operation a boost. Another boost came from the establishment of the A.J .Davis soda pop distillery and bottling plant near the Findlay house which served soft and 'not so soft' drinks.

James Findlay had been the caretaker of the Roderick Hugonin property, and had purchased a portion of the estate, two lots in approx. 1874, and another two in about 1887. Findlay built a 'fine home' just north of the Hugonin house shortly after the initial purchase.

In 1906 the British Military pulled out of Halifax and the recreation business on McNabs, dropped off sharply. James Findlay was able to hang on and bought out his competitor, Woolnough. Findlay died later the same year and A.J. Davis acquired the whole Findlay/Woolnough operation.

Findlay Pleasure Grounds and the A.J. Davis pop factory operated until about 1915 when attendance dropped due to the war. Following the war, the Pleasure Grounds experienced a short-lived return to popularity.

Findlay Pleasure Grounds were later purchased by Bill Lynch, who had grown up on the island and had enjoyed the 'fair ground experience'. In 1925, due to declining attendance, Lynch took the rides and games off the island creating the well known and long-lived Bill Lynch Shows.

By 1928 the popular use of McNabs Island as a recreation destination had come to an end.