Miramichi, New Brunswick
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| Miramichi, New Brunswick | |
 List of cities in Canada |
|
| Country | Canada |
|---|---|
| Province | New Brunswick |
| County | Northumberland County |
| Established | 1995 |
| Government | |
| - City Mayor | John McKay |
| - Governing Body | Miramichi City Council |
| - MP | Charles Hubbard (L) |
| - Provincial Representatives | Carmel Robichaud (L) John W. Foran (L) Bill Fraser (L) |
| Area | |
| - City | 179.83 km² (69.4 sq mi) |
| Population (2006)[1] | |
| - City | 18,129 |
| - Density | 102.9/km² (266.5/sq mi) |
| Time zone | Atlantic (AST) (UTC-4) |
| - Summer (DST) | ADT (UTC-3) |
| Postal code span: E1V, E3V | |
| Website: http://www.miramichi.org/ | |
Miramichi is the largest city in northern New Brunswick, Canada. It is situated at the mouth of the Miramichi River where it flows into the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Contents |
[edit] City Formation
The city was formed in 1995, when five smaller towns - Newcastle, Chatham, Douglastown, Loggieville and Nelson - merged with several other rural communities to form a so-called "megacity". This was controversial at the time, and still remains so today, due to the strong identities that the each of the towns possessed. The amalgamation resulted from a plan developed in 1994 by then Premier Frank McKenna, to combine the surrounding towns in order for them to work better together in promotion of the region.
[edit] History
Miramichi was formerly divided into two main towns Newcastle and Chatham. They are located on opposite sides of the river approximately 10 km apart.
[edit] Newcastle
Newcastle was first settled by the Scottish in the late 18th century and was originally called Miramichi before early settlers changed the name due to pronunciation and spelling troubles.[2] The town was, and still largely is, based around the forest industry. A number of mills line the banks of the river, the largest of which is located at the edge of town and is a large pulp and paper mill owned by UPM-Kymmene
The famous British newspaper owner and Minister of Aircraft Production during World War II, Max Aitken (Lord Beaverbrook), moved there at an early age and considered it home. A bust of Beaverbrook, said to contain his ashes, stands in the former town's historic Town Square. The picturesque park includes the town's war cenotaph, a stone fountain (with water supplied by an artesian well), an Italian stone gazebo and other monuments of local historic importance such as shipbuilding and folk music. The park was once well known for its graceful and elegant stand of elm trees, since stricken by the deadly Dutch elm disease. Maples and other hardier species of trees were planted in the early 1980's to replace the fallen elms, restoring the square to some of its former glory.
[edit] Chatham
Chatham was settled by the British and Irish and bills itself as Canada's Irish Capital.
St. Thomas University was located in Chatham until it moved to Fredericton in 1964, and the Royal Canadian Air Force had a base in the town between 1940 and 1996. Part of the former base is now used as a retirement community. The former town is also the site of the Canadian gun registry.
Chatham is noteworthy for St. Michael's Basilica, an imposing neo-Gothic structure on a hill overlooking the town and the Miramichi River. The basilica, originally built as the cathedral of the now defunct Diocese of Chatham, is a remarkable structure for such a small town (pop. 8,600 at its peak).
[edit] Douglastown
Douglastown, (colloquially known as 'Slabtown') has become the shopping center of Miramichi. It includes the major malls, a movie theater, restaurants, a stock car race track (which is actually located in the 'Back Lots', as it is on the North side of McKinnon Road) and much more. There are also great ski-doo trails there and most link to Beaverbrook or Newcastle. Douglastown also has a large population and was also settled by the same people who settled Newcastle. In between Douglastown and Newcastle there is a community called Nordin, which is primarily residential.
[edit] Tourism
Along with the forest industry, much of Miramichi's economy is based on tourism. With its rich history and scenic landscape, the city has attracted visitors from all over the world.
[edit] Beaubear's Island
Beaubear's Island, located in the middle of the Miramichi River between Newcastle and Nelson-Miramichi, is a recognized national historic site, both for being the site of a major shipbuilding industry for over 100 years, and also for its role in the Acadian Expulsion.[3]
[edit] Enclosure Campground
Formerly known as Wilson's point, this location marks the area of Miramichi that was first developed by settlers. It, along with Beaubear's Island, was involved in the Acadian Expulsion. It now serves as a campground and contains kilometres of walking trails.[2]
[edit] French Fort Cove
French Fort Cove is a nature park located between Newcastle and Nordin-Miramichi. The park contains regular and advanced walking trails, canoeing, kayaking, paddle-boats, a children's playground, and an ice-cream shop. The park holds many events and activities during the summer. It is the former location of a rock quarry which was used to build many local buildings and the Langevin Block of the Parliament Hill, among others.[4]
[edit] Middle Island
Middle Island was used as a quarantine when, in 1847, typhus and scarlet fever spread throughout the ship Looshtauk as it crossed the Atlantic Ocean. Of the 462 passengers on board, at least 146 people died en route and 96 died while in quarantine.[5] Initially those who died on the island were buried in caskets, but as the death toll continued to rise personal resting places could no longer be an option. This resulted in large mass graves being placed on the island. Some of these graves were discovered as recently as 1996.
Many people are able to trace their family roots back to the journey taken by the Looshtauk.
The island now serves as a tourist location and memorial.
[edit] Rankin House
The Rankin House contains a collection of objects relating to early life in New Brunswick. It is located in Douglastown-Miramichi on the King George Highway.[6]
[edit] Ritchie Wharf
Ritchie Wharf is a park located on the waterfront of Newcastle-Miramichi. It is the location of many events that take place on the river, and is often the location of choice for local musicians.
Its boardwalk is lined with restaurants, art galleries, and souvenir shops, and it is also the location of a tourist information centre. In addition, there is a children's playground with a small water park. There is a boat dock with a small boat launch area on site as well it is really FUN to play at ..... every kid loves it!.[7]
[edit] Marine (Seamen's) Hospital
The Marine Hospital was built in 1830-1831, and was used to provide care to members of the shipping community involved in the lumber trade. It is the oldest surviving marine hospital in Canada, and now serves as a hall for a local church and the general public. It last opened its door to patients in 1921, and was commemorated by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada in September 2000.[8]
[edit] Twin City
Monaghan, Ireland
[edit] References
- ^ 2001 Community Profiles, Statistics Canada, retrieved August 17, 2006.
- ^ a b "History: Newcastle", by Doug Underhill, retrieved August 21, 2006
- ^ "Beaubears Island", by Joyce LeBlanc, retrieved August 21, 2006.
- ^ "Story Quarry", French Fort Cove Nature Park, retrieved August 21, 2006.
- ^ "Middle Island Irish Historical Park", Bread n' Molasses, retrieved August 16, 2006.
- ^ "Rankin House", Miramichi Memories, retrieved August 24, 2006.
- ^ "Things to See & Do", City of Miramichi, retrieved August 25, 2006.
- ^ "Historic Sites", City of Miramichi, retrieved August 24, 2006.
[edit] External links
- Miramichi History
- New Brunswick Covered Bridges
- Google Map
- Beaubear's Island
- French Fort Cove
- Historic Middle Island
- Local Directory Maps - Map of Miramichi City
