OAK ISLAND, NOVA SCOTIA
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john whitney lewis  1950 


May 12th, 1950 to November 27, 1950 
John Whitney Lewis, a New York mining engineer with 38 years of mining experience, believed he could succeed where so many others had failed. He bought most of Oak Island, from past treasurer hunter Gilbert Hedden, in 1950, and came to Nova Scotia to interview Frederick Blair, Mel Chappell, R.V. Harris, and any other people with island experiences. 
He applied for a treasure trove license, as he believed Blair’s had expired. This was true, but Blair had reapplied, and was awarded the license again, which continued the impasse between the property owner and the license holder that had developed during the preceding years between Hedden and Blair. 
Lewis ultimately sold the island to a trust company representing Mel Chappell, and left the island without being able to dig. However Mr. Lewis is noted for the detailed diagrams and information he collected regarding the previous work done in digging and drilling in the Chappell (1931) and Hedden (1937) shafts.
Contributor: Doug Crowell


Oak Island is a private island located on the South Shore of Nova Scotia and the majority property interest is held by Oak Island Tours Inc,  a duly registered incorporated company, with headquarters in Traverse City, Michigan.
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  • Oak Island, NS
  • experience the mystery
  • Respect the legend
  • SHOP
  • contact