Priding itself as "The Main Street of the South Shore," Bridgewater has long been established as the primary commercial and professional service centre in the southern half of the province.

[3] Prior to European settlement, the Mi'kmaq used the area where the town now stands as an inland encampment on the edge of the LaHave River.

[citation needed] Around this time industries were developed using water power from the river, including lumber manufacture, a carding mill, a foundry, a gristmill and a tannery.

[3] From 1889 the town was connected by rail to Middleton, and eventually to the rest of the province and Canada via mergers with the Halifax and Southwestern Railway.

[7] A lumber mill started by Edward Doran Davison on the site of the present-day South Shore Shopping Centre was in operation during the first two decades of the 1900s.

A major employer in the 1900s was the Acadia Gas Engines company, the largest marine inboard motor manufacturer in Canada.

[citation needed] The western bank of the LaHave River was the area first settled, and continued to be the commercial and civic heart of the town well into the 20th century.

Like much of Southern Nova Scotia, the surrounding area is characterized by rolling drumlins formed during the last glacial period, some of which reach 150 m above sea level.

The South Shore's proximity to the Atlantic Ocean does serve to moderate the climate, and the region is usually milder than most of Canada during the winter months.

Summers, while less extreme than inland central Canada, are warm to hot and sometimes humid, accented by occasional storms and showers.

Because it lies inland from the ocean, Bridgewater is usually warmer than coastal Nova Scotia during the summer, reporting far fewer foggy days.

Known locally as "The Big Ex," the week-long agricultural fair hosts the International Ox Pull, bringing together teams from the Maritimes and the Northeastern United States.

[23] Inspired by the 'Art Hive' movement in Montreal, a group of community members developed a free/low cost art building focused on creativity for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Today, Art Happening is a not-for-profit organization that strives on fun classes, stress relief, and creativity in all shapes and forms.

Like much of Lunenburg County, many of Bridgewater's residents trace their lineage to the Foreign Protestants who arrived in Nova Scotia in the 18th century.

In 2008, construction began on the HB Studios Sports Centre, a $1.7 million indoor turf, track, and amenities facility located on Glen Allan Drive.

[26] This facility includes the Clearwater Seafoods Arena with a 1,200-person seating, capacity, the Bank of Montreal Aquatic Centre, and the Margaret Hennigar Public Library.

Located at the northern edge of town, Park View Education Centre serves grades 10-12 and takes part in the International Baccalaureate program.

Centre Scolaire de la Rive-Sud in Cookville offers a primarily French-language education to Francophone families in the area as part of Nova Scotia's Acadian school system.

The Lunenburg campus of the Nova Scotia Community College is located on High Street, sharing space with the YMCA.

As Lunenburg County's biggest center of employment and commerce, Bridgewater also sees a large influx of daytime traffic.