Peggy's Cove may well be the most photographed location in Atlantic Canada. It is a small picturesque Nova Scotia fishing village that surrounds a narrow inlet of the Atlantic Ocean The harbour at Peggy's Cove provides safe haven for boats during the Atlantic Ocean's rough weather. A lighthouse built on the large smooth wave washed granite rocks is the crowning feature of this beautiful fishing village. A large parking area has been blended in near the lighthouse for visitor access and during mild weather, you can walk over the huge boulders to enjoy the splendid view in all directions.
A visitor can drive to Peggy's Cove. NS by turning south on Route 333 at Upper Tantallon or follow the signs westerly from the Halifax Armdale Rotary. The Rotary is at the head of the North West Arm not too far from downtown Halifax. Drive out on St. Margaret's Bay Road for 3 kilometers all the way to Peggy's Cove. Once there, you have arrived at a photographer's mecca, especially on a bright sunny day. Inspiring sights are found everywhere, such as the brightly painted buildings, the weathered fishing piers, the fleet of fishing boats at dockside, the restaurant/gift shop/post office and finally that photographer's delight, the famous Peggy's Cove Lighthouse.
According to legend, Peggys' Cove, NS was named after the only survivor of a schooner that ran aground and sank in 1800.a woman named Margret. Local folk called her "Peggy" and her home came to be known as Peggy's Cove.
The original lighthouse was built in 1868. Exactly 100 years later in 1968 the Campbell family opened a five-table tea room and the Sou"Wester was born. Over the past 34 years it has grown into a 180 seat restaurant and two-level gift shop with one of the largest selections of giftware in the Maritimes.
Two stories are told as to how Peggy's Cove got it's name. The first speaks of a schooner that ran aground on Halibut Rock, just off the lighthouse point, one dark and stormy October night. To escape the strong waves which washed the schooner's decks, many of the crew climbed up the masts but it did not take long before they were swept to their death into the raging sea. All hands were lost to the sea except for one woman who swam ashore and was rescued by the people of the Cove. Her name was Margaret and she remained in the Cove and married a resident. People from nearby communities would frequently come to visit Margaret, who became known as the diminutive "Peggy of the Cove," and hear her story of being the lone survivor of the shipwreck. It was during these early years that people began calling the Cove Peggy's Cove.
The second story is based on geography and it is simply due to the Cove's close location to St. Margaret's Bay, Nova Scotia. It is thought that because the Cove is situated at the entrance to the Bay that people referred to the area as Margaret's Cove, which eventually became the more intimate name of Peggy's Cove.
It has been only recently that proof has surfaced making the first story factual. A lady came to Nova Scotia with documentation proving that Peggy was her grandmother and that she was indeed the lone survivor of the shipwreck.
Some text courtesy of: http://peggys-cove.com