The largest community in the Annapolis Valley is also one of the most historic. At the end of the 18th century, Kentville became Shire Town of Kings County and, being at the junction of seven roads, grew into an important commercial centre, serving agricultural villages throughout the Annapolis Valley. The community began to thrive when the Windsor to Annapolis railway (later known as DAR) established its headquarters in 1868 and began shipping Annapolis Valley apples overseas. As the shire town of Kings County, the modern town of Kentville grew into a bustling railroad centre. The town has also been host to the traditional industries such as coal, timber, dairies, food processors and fruit retailers. Manufacturing industries began to bloom after the surge of the industrial revolution of the late 19th century. Kentville also became known for the production of the first automobile in Nova Scotia.

Kentville native Louis Comeau has selected from his own personal collection of hometown images to show Kentville from the early years of the birth of photography to World War II. Comeau annotates this fascinating collection of Valley photographs with absorbing and entertaining details that explain people and places and provide a charming historic portrait of an important Valley town.