TheTriangle

pic Cruisy area in downtown Halifax from at least the early '70s until mid '80s.

The triangle had walking cruisers and drivers who picked them up. It was considered safer & less notorious than cruising CitadelHill. It was popular & used from 1969 to 1990, as was Sackville street from the Triangle to the CampHillCemetery, "The Stroll."

The 1985 Art by Gay Men promo card shows the map of the Triangle with the outline of a pink triangle superimposed over it. The show was called Private Lives, Public Places.

TT writes: The whole area was actually cruisy, extending to Spring Garden Road, and in the other direction across the commons to the ball park dugouts, but the Triangle proper was only the small triangular block. I spent lots of time there. I actually lived on Dresden Row my last year in Halifax (80-81).

MG writes:

I 'm not sure if any thing might come of this, but when I first came out in the early 1970's, feeling I needed cover to explain why I was in that part of town rather frequently, I purchased a house on the west side of Queen Street, right in the middle of that side of the Triangle. I lived there for about three years before moving out west in 1975. When I lived there, a friend and colleague who owned Focus Photography, rented the first floor from me for his shop. Later, before I sold it, I put another small apartment on the first floor and an artist's studio in the basement. The house is now the site of the Halifax Tattoo offices.

The little roof over the front door, that juts out over the sidewalk, provided some welcome cover for those cruising caught out in the rain. Coming home at these times, there was always the opportunity to offer more shelter inside! I quickly became familiar with certain vehicles that were frequently on the Triangle. There was one in particular that stands out. If you saw a Volvo going by, seemingly with no one driving it, then that was ** ! I'm sure some of your readers will know who this was/is!

My understanding was that the Triangle became the place to hang out because the Acadian Lines bus station was located on the west side of Dresden Row, opposite the Triangle (before moving to Almon Street, and now to the Train Station), and the YMCA was (and still is) located down the alley behind the bus station on South Park Street. There always is a cruising area near bus stops and Y's. The officers' Mess at Artillery Place may also have played a role in its popularity. The DresdenArms Hotel lounge certainly did, before its demise, and the present condo building went up in its place.

If you use this, please just list me as MG! I am still of the generation that thinks it needs some cover. Thanks.

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