The town was first settled in 1761 by Presbyterians of predominantly Ulster Scottish origin who came from Ireland via New England. It is named after the city of Truro in Cornwall, England. Originally a small farming community, the construction of the Nova Scotia Railway between Halifax, and Pictou in 1858 caused the municipality to experience a fast rate of growth. It was officially incorporated in 1875.
The Salmon River runs along Truro's northern boundary and is renowned for the natural occurrence of a tidal bore, one of the largest in North America, and a direct result of the power of the tides of the Bay of Fundy.
Truro features unique wooden sculptures created from the stumps of elm trees which were lost due to Dutch Elm disease. The tree sculptures are located throughout the downtown core. These tree sculptures have led to Truro now being known as "the tree sculpture capital of Nova Scotia"
View of Truro's Victoria Park, 160 hectares (400 acres) of protected woodland in the heart of the town. Lepper Brook, with its two waterfalls, flows through the park and may be enjoyed from several walking trails.
Victoria Park is a 160 hectare (400 acre) urban park which contains a protected forest on the southern boundary of the town. It contains a section of Lepper Brook below the town's reservoir; the brook has two waterfalls that may be enjoyed from several walking trails.
Truro is home to one of Canada's last remaining successful textile mills, Stanfield's Limited. Stanfield's is known throughout Canada for its t-shirts, socks and undergarments. Other products manufactured in Truro include carpeting, Crossley Carpet Mills, woven/coated/film plastic products [Intertape Polymer Group], and molded plastics.
Truro is also known to locals as 'Hubtown' as its center location in the province results in many visiting travelers and tourists.
The town and surrounding area have a variety of cultural events throughout the year, including a bike race held by Hub Cycle.
In 2007, Truro's mayor and council caused controversy, accusations of intolerance and cancelled tourism visits by refusing to raise the Gay Pride flag at town hall.[2]
Four sections of the Berlin Wall are displayed in an empty lot (once occupied by a Zellers store) on Prince Street in the central business district.
The neighboring unincorporated community of Salmon River on the town's eastern boundary was named Hockeyville in a national competition held in the Spring of 2006.
Truro's Victoria Park is named after Victoria Gardens in Truro, England.