The Reconstruction of the Richmond District

The reconstruction of the Richmond district after the Halifax disaster was seen as very progressive for its time. Instead of building temporary housing for the homeless, Halifax immediately set out to rebuild the Richmond district permanently; creating an improved plan for the district. While the rebuilding was occurring, the homeless families lived in barrack-style camps on public property. George Ross' plan was to build homes of "modern construction and sanitary facilities", however the exterior of each home would have individual qualities. Ross' homes were to be row houses with exteriors of "Hydro-stone" - a malleable material made out of a mixture of gravel, stone, sand and cement. The Hydro-stone allowed each home's exterior to be faced with different materials (granite, marble, colored sands) so that each home would not look the same.

Hydrostone residential block in 1920s

Ross' initial plan was to use Hydro-stone to build good quality, row homes for the majority of the disaster victims. However, political and financial factors led to the creation of three styles of residences which showed clear class distinctions. Row houses were still built for the working class (the largest group of disaster victims), however, less-expensive frame homes were created for the poorer class and larger replacement homes were built for the upper class. Each type of home was placed in their respective areas of the district. The frame houses acted as a divide between the industrial district and the rest of the residential area. Row homes were placed in between the frame houses and the larger homes. The larger homes were built at the top of the Richmond slope overlooking the harbor - the most desired location.

Thomas Adams' reconstruction plans for the Richmond district were very expansive. Adams' plan was to not only rebuild the street system, but to build roads into areas which previously had not been developed. Adams' new street plans were diagonal and curvy. Adams did not believe in conforming all cities to a grid pattern, instead his philosophy was that each city's plan should be created specifically for that city. Adams maintained that diagonal streets were more navigable in Halifax, because of its sloping nature. (click here to see Adams' plans for the Richmond district)

Along with the creation of a new street plan, Adams also changed the public space system. Adams built upon empty recreational fields which had previously acted as Halifax's public space and created an eight acre park at the highest point in Halifax - Fort Needham, creating Needham Park in 1948. Adams also created playgrounds in the row house neighborhood. Adams' open space plan was influenced by the Garden City plan, which Adams had used in previous towns he had planned.

Halifax received relief aid from both the Canadian and the British governments as well as the state of Massachusetts. Halifax still sends a Christmas tree to the city of Boston every year to thank them for their help in 1917.