Names provide glimpses to the past. Some are born from legends while others reflect the origins and names of early settlers. All are part of the story of this part of the Bay of Fundy coast.
Alma
Alma was re-named in 1857. Before that it was called Salmon River. The name Alma comes from the Battle of Alma in the Crimean War (1854) and means "soul". This may have been a fortunate name change considering the number of Salmon Rivers scattered around the Maritimes. As it is, there are two places with the name of Alma - one in Nova Scotia another in New Brunswick.
Cannontown Beach
Named after one of the original settlers of the area - John cannon - who had a house here. Thisis now the site of the salt water swimming pool.
Devil's Half Acre
Devil's Half Acre is a short walk in the park. On FreshAir Adventure's tours, visitors pass the cliffs referred to in this story.
A boat-load of Yorkshiremen from Cumberland Basin were sailing along the shoreline. One thought the area was similar to his native land and decided to stay and lay claim to it. While climbing the cliff, he was confronted by the devil who let loose an avalanche of lightning flashes and curses in an attempt to scare the Yorkshireman away. He was assisted by a giant imp with a white pitchfork. The Yorkshireman, having a bottle of holy water, sprinkled some on the imp who disappeared in a cloud of smoke. He then proceeded to encircle the devil with the holy water. The devil, in frustration and anger, tore up the ground, creating huge craters that can still be seen today. He disappeared down one of the craters to reappear near Point Wolfe at a place called Hell's Kitchen.
Herring Cove
Some names have obvious origins and this one reflects the abundance of herring (shad) in the early years. A weir net fishery existed at Herring Cove until the 1950s.
Hunt's Hole 
Beyond Herring Cove, in a cliff several hundred feet high, is Hunt's Hole. The hole is easily visible to FreshAir Adventure's clients as they approach Herring Cove. On spring tides, one can kayak through the hole.
Jackson Hunt was picking dulse by Matthews Head and delayed his return to Herring Cove too long and was caught by the tide. He was forced back against a sheer cliff and was clinging desperately to a large drift log, when a wave washed him loose, spun him dizzily around and sucked him through a hole that now bears his name. Much astonished, Hunt bobbled up on the other side, still clutching his dulse sack but minus side- whiskers and his home spun breeches which he lost in the hole.
Matthews Head
John Matthews received a grant of land in 1840 and made his home here. The foundation of the home can still be seen. Interestingly, an excellent profile of a person has been carved in the cliff face by the tides and can be seen by those paddling past Matthews Head. Could this be that of Mr. Matthews?
Porpose Cove
A name given by guides of FreshAir Adventure for the frequent sightings of porposes in this cove.
Squaws Cap
This is always a highlight for those FreshAir Adventure's visitors who paddle the Fundy coastline. This tree - topped pinnacle is connected by a land bridge except at high tide.
Glooscap threw his wife's winter cap into the Bay because she had failed to have new moccasins ready on time. When spring growth started, the cap put down roots, the beaver pelt turned to moss and the porcupine quills to trees.
Secret Beach
Only accessable by sea kayak this small beach is a stop on FreshAir Adventure's day adventures. Another name provided by the guides of FreshAir Adventure.
Point Wolfe
Although General Wolfe has no connection with this area, it was named because of a profile in the cliff that looked like him.
A band of Mi'kmaq Indians were camping on the bar and noticed the resemblance to a great face. One of their medicine men during the night had chiseled the rock to make the features clearer. His followers were told they were those of the great "Monitou". This gained the medicine man their fearful respect. Later, a deserter from Wolfe's army thought the profile resembled General Wolfe. Hence, the point, the river and later the village was named after Wolfe.
Goose River
On the edge of the park, Goose River is a camping area for all those on FreshAir Adventure's multi-day tours. The scenery is superb and side hiking trips great. Captain Kidd is said to have buried some of his treasure here.
Isle Haute
FreshAir Adventure is not the first to paddle along this spectacular coastline. Years before, Mi'kmaqs made their way to Isle Haute (High Island) - a mysterious island about 20 km off shore. There, they set up camp and performed religious ceremonies. The island is usually visible from any vantage point along the coastline - often appearing very high on the water and other times being almost invisible. This changing visibility is caused by a phenomena called refraction. At one time pirates made the island their headquarters. It is associated with Captain Kidd and an American pirate named Ned Lowe.
Associated with Isle Haute is the following Glooscap legend.
Legend has it that on one occasion three dogs started chasing the moose which Glooscap was hunting. In a rage he turned the dogs into stone and they stand on the beach at Eatonville today as "The Three Sisters". The moose, who had tried to escape by jumping into the Bay of Fundy, appealed to Glooscap to save him from drowning. Glooscap then turned the moose into stone (Isle Haute) to give it immortality.
The Sentinels
As one approaches Herring Cove, a pair of figures appear on the cliffs just beyond. At closer inspection, these turn out to be quartz out-cropping. FreshAir Adventure has named them "The Sentinels" - spirits of Glooscap and guardians of all who paddle this coastline.
Bay of Fundy
According to G.H. Armstrong (1930), author of "The Origin and Meaning of Place Names in Canada" (Macmillan, Toronto), the name may hve been derived in the following ways:
- Fond de la Baie - a French phrase that has been corrupted into Fundy Bay, meaning "head of the bay",
- Rio Fondo - most likely derivation - marked on Portuguese maps of the 16th century, meaning "deep river", that is, a water extending far inland. John Cabot's map of 1544 also uses the label "Rio Fondo".
- Baia Fundo - other derivations include the Portuguese phrase meaning 'deep bay' or the French phrase 'Baie fendue', meaning 'split
bay'.
Place Names 
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