A frequently asked question is "what ever happened to the old radar station"? In the case of Beaverbank, the old Domestic site appears to be one of the few Pinetree Line radar stations that managed to survive after the unit was closed by the military. We have no idea as to what took place between 1964 and 1998, but we can offer the following detail on what remains as of April 1998.
For starters, "Beaverbank" is now known as "Beaver Bank". Apparently the area was originally called "Beaver Bank", but over the years people, including the government, began writing it as one word on maps and road signs. In 1997, the residents decided that they preferred the name as two words, so they petitioned the provincial government to have the name reverted to its original form. Not much else better to do, I guess! Hence - the area is now known as "Beaver Bank."
The Operations site is still standing, but it has been abandoned for quite some time. (We have been advised that the Operations Site was used as a cement plant after the radar station was closed - presumably in the mid 60's or early 70's. There is graffiti on the walls inside the Operations site dating back to 1973, so this would imply that the site has been abandoned for some time). This area is an excellent location for picking strawberries during the summer months.
The personnel who worked at the radar station, and their families, were housed at the Domestic site in quarters off the Beaverbank Road in North Beaver Bank. This was about a 10 minute walk from the Operations site. These Domestic site residences, now called "The Beaver Bank Villa," are currently being used as low-cost rental housing for a large number of people.
One of the larger buildings at the old Domestic site is now used as a nursing home. The "Scotia Nursing Home" is currently being refurbished with a new addition being constructed on the front of the building. Still in use at the old Domestic site is the fire station, a convenience store, and the community centre where dances and social events are held. It is quite a thriving community.
--Barb Barrett (submitted in April 1998)