Richmond was devastated on December 6 , 1917 when the Halifax Explosion levelled much of its structures and waterfront . The rising slope of Fort Needham protected some areas from the immediate effects of the shock wave . The Halifax Relief Commission , formed by an order-in-council on 22 January 1918 , was subsequently incorporated and given broader powers as a result of an act passed by the Nova Scotia Legislature . Aside from its mandate to compensate victims of the explosion , the $ 21,000,000 donated by various governments and the public would be used to rebuild the devastated areas as the commission saw fit . Thomas Adams , a renowned town planner and his assistant , H. L. Seymour were called upon to plan the reconstruction and were later joined by architect George Ross of Montreal . The rebuilt area , formerly called Merkelsfield , is now known as The Hydrostone District because of the use of a stone-faced concrete material known as hydrostone for the exterior building material . Timber and stucco were used for roofing materials . Although most of the work was carried out by the firm of Ross and Macdonald , several local architects were also awarded projects . Most of the work was completed by 1921
Halifax Explosion
Halifax Explosion
Richmond, Nova Scotia