In the mid-1890's, H.M. Whitney, a Boston Industrialist who was also president of the Dominion Coal Company, constructed coal loading piers beside those already in place.

With the abundance of coal was the promise of steel production. Whitney was keen to take advantage of the opportunities offered the Cape Breton coal industry by the 1879 National Policy, and by the coming of the Intercolonial Railway ot Sydney. The future of railways throughout Canada made steel and coal the industries of the 20th century.

The community flourished with the construction and operation of the steel plant at the beginning of the 20th century, and for almost the entire century, the production of steel became an integral part of Whitney Pier.

The present population of Whitney Pier is approximately 6,500, one-fifth of the total population of Sydney. It is made up of an almost even split between Anglo-Celtic and non Anglo-Celtic backgrounds. Newfoundlanders (mainly of Irish and English descent ) make up the majority ethnic group in the area, followed by more or less equal numbers of Ukrainians, Italians, Poles, Blacks, and rural Cape Breton Scots, Acadians and Irish. There are smaller numbers of Jews, Croations, Hungarians and Lebanese. The population of Whitney Pier peaked in the second and third decades of this century. By that time, most of the ancestors of today's population had arrived.

Work is a primary factor in the development of Whitney Pier. The transportation of coal and the production of steel resulted in hundreds of different types of jobs and are key to orientation of the community. However, not all of the people of Whitney Pier worked in the coal or steel industries: a tradition of business and trades has developed as well as a wealth of literary and political skills. Artistic and athletic interests add to these, resulting in nearly self-sufficient economic and social life.

Religion plays and important part in sustaining a sense of community in Whitney Pier. In the early years, religion provided a stable focus for the immigrant communities, encouraging women and children to follow and settle with their husbands and fathers who worked in the coal steel industries. Coinciding with the establishment of new congregation were benefit or benevolent societies that addressed the spiritual, cultural, social and financial needs of the new immigrants. Representing elements of both religion and work, these societies continue to enhance the life of Whitney Pier.

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