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Miramichi, NB
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Miramichi is the largest city in northern New Brunswick, Canada. It is situated at the mouth of the Miramichi River where it enters Miramichi Bay. The City of Miramichi was formed in 1995 through the forced amalgamation of two rival towns, Newcastle and Chatham, and several smaller communities, including Douglastown, Loggieville, and Nelson.
HistoryEarly Mi'kmaq and French Communities (before 1765)Long prior to European settlement, the Miramichi region was home to members of the Mi'kmaq first nation. For the Mi'kmaq, Beaubear's Island, at the junction of the Northwest and Main Southwest branches of the Miramichi River was a natural meeting point.
Following the European discovery of the Americas, the Miramichi became part of the French colony of Acadia. About 1648, Nicolas Denys, Sieur de Fronsac, established a fort and trading post, Fort Fronsac, on the Miramichi. This establishment was apparently constructed "on the North side of the Miramichi, at the forks of the river". According to W.F.Ganong, a Recollet Mission was established in 1686 on the Miramichi "in Nelson", "probably near Beaubear's Island".
Miramichi is the largest city in northern New Brunswick, Canada. It is situated at the mouth of the Miramichi River where it enters Miramichi Bay. The City of Miramichi was formed in 1995 through the forced amalgamation of two rival towns, Newcastle and Chatham, and several smaller communities, including Douglastown, Loggieville, and Nelson.
HistoryEarly Mi'kmaq and French Communities (before 1765)Long prior to European settlement, the Miramichi region was home to members of the Mi'kmaq first nation. For the Mi'kmaq, Beaubear's Island, at the junction of the Northwest and Main Southwest branches of the Miramichi River was a natural meeting point.
Following the European discovery of the Americas, the Miramichi became part of the French colony of Acadia. About 1648, Nicolas Denys, Sieur de Fronsac, established a fort and trading post, Fort Fronsac, on the Miramichi. This establishment was apparently constructed "on the North side of the Miramichi, at the forks of the river". According to W.F.Ganong, a Recollet Mission was established in 1686 on the Miramichi "in Nelson", "probably near Beaubear's Island".
Nicolas Denys' son, Richard Denys, was placed in charge of the fort and trading post, and in 1688 Richard states, "Miramichi is the principal place of my residence", and describes his establishment as including about a dozen French and more than 500 Indians. In 1691 Richard died at sea; the post declined. .
The Seven Years War erupted in 1756. During the war many Acadian homes were destroyed by the British, and their residents were deported (see the Expulsion of the Acadians).
In 1757 the French general, Charles Deschamps de Boishébert et de Raffetot attempted to evade British troops in the St. John Valley and the Bay of Fundy, by leading 900 French refugees up the northeast coast of New Brunswick to Miramichi, establishing a camp, "Camp de l’Espérance", on Beaubear's Island. Over 200 of the refugees died at the camp. During the war, the camp was protected by a battery of French cannons at French Fort Cove.
In September 1758 Colonel James Murray reported spending two days in Miramichi Bay looking unsuccessfully for Acadians, but destroying anything he found. This included burning the first stone church built in New Brunswick (at the site of the present-day community of Burnt Church). Murray didn't sail as far west as Beaubear's Island.
Most of the surviving Beaubear's Island refugees soon left the Miramichi, seeking refuge in Quebec. Some Acadians, however, remained and escaped British attempts at deportation. They eventually established a host of small Acadian communities along the northern and eastern coasts of present-day New Brunswick.
Early Scottish, Loyalist and Irish Immigration (1765-1850)The French were defeated at Quebec in 1759, and the remaining Miramichi settlement was subsequently burned to the ground by British Commodore John Byron (Foul-Weather Jack) in 1760. The French North American colonies were ceded to the British in the 1763 Treaty of Paris. The Miramichi thus became a part of the British colony of Nova Scotia, and later New Brunswick. Benjamin Marston, a surveyor and the first sheriff, reported in 1785 that "a considerable French Village" had existed on Wilson's Point (adjacent to Beaubear's Island - the present-day site of the Enclosure).
Although they were clearly preceded by the Mi'kmaq and Acadian peoples, credit for the first permanent white settlement at Miramichi is often granted to Scottish settlers, led by William Davidson. William Davidson (a.k.a. John Godsman) and John Cort had obtained a large grant encompassing much of the Miramichi region in 1765, and promoted the area in both Scotland and New England as a new home to potential settlers.
Relations with the Mi'kmaq were not always good. During the American Revolution, some Mi'kmaq, encouraged by the Americans, attacked the newcomers. Davidson temporarily found refuge along the St. John River. A subsequent treaty signed 22 September 1779 ensured a more peaceful coexistence. Following the American Revolution some loyalist families moved to Miramichi. Davidson's original grant was revoked, and competition for the best lands escalated tensions between the early Scottish and new loyalist settlers. In the 1840's, the Great Irish Famine led to the last large influx of settlers, mostly settling on the south side of the river in the former town of Chatham. By this time, the best lands were already occupied by earlier Scottish, Loyalist and Acadian immigrants.
Early Industry and Politics (1765-1850)Although subsistence farming constituted one part of the new settlement's economy, the thin, acid soils of the Miramichi were not conducive to agriculture; thus, the lumber industry and Atlantic salmon fishery were the mainstays. A shipbuilding industry was established by Davidson in 1773, largely to facilitate overseas lumber exports, including masts for the British navy, and to provide winter employment for the men. Davidson's first ship, "Miramichi", was unfortunately lost with her cargo off the Spanish coast.
Miramichi benefited greatly from the Napoleonic wars and American independence, as Britain became dependent on its remaining North American colonies, including New Brunswick, for lumber. However, the Great Miramichi Fire of 1825, the advent of steel-hulled ships, and perhaps over-cutting of eastern white pine, would eventually contribute to a long-term decline in the area's economy. The Miramichi Fire burnt almost 1/4 of New Brunswick's forest, and consumed most of the buildings along the northern side of the river. Only 12 buildings remained in Newcastle.
The towns of Newcastle and Chatham developed a long history of rivalry, including a small "war" fought between the communities ("the fighting election of 1843"). The 1843 election was fought on a political level between John T. Williston of Chatham (supported by local entrepreneur Joseph Cunard of Chatham, brother of Samuel Cunard) and J. Ambrose Street of Newcastle (backed by the prominent lumber baron, Alexander Rankin of Douglastown). The Rankin and Cunard factions literally fought the election in the streets of Newcastle and Chatham with sticks, stones, coal and other missiles.
The Age of Rail (1875-1950)In 1875 the region's largest construction project in history was completed when the federal government's Intercolonial Railway (ICR) opened between Moncton and Campbellton. The following year it would link Halifax with Riviere du Loup and the Canadian railway network. One of the biggest geographic obstacles presented in the project was the crossing of the Miramichi River. Surveyors deemed the ideal location for bridging to be at the upper reaches of tidewater between Nelson and Newcastle, crossing the Southwest Miramichi, then a short section of land at Derby, followed by the Northwest Miramichi. The combined length of these bridges would be among the largest constructed to date in Canada (surpassed only by the Victoria Bridge in Montreal) and were the first bridges over the Miramichi River, revolutionizing transport in the region.
The ICR bypassed Chatham by running through Newcastle and then on to the north and west. Within a decade, the Canada Eastern Railway was built to link Chatham with Fredericton, along the length of the Southwest Miramichi River valley. In 1904, the Canada Eastern was purchased by the ICR. In 1915, the ICR became part of Canadian Government Railways and 3 years later in 1918 it became part of the Canadian National Railways (CNR).
CNR operated express passenger trains along the main line from Halifax to Montreal via Newcastle, most notably the Ocean Limited, along with various local trains to Fredericton, Moncton and Campbellton. The Dungarvon Whooper provided passenger service along the Canada Eastern Railway from Newcastle to Fredericton. The ports and railways serving Newcastle and Chatham burgeoned with activity as the 19th century lumber industry gave way to the 20th century developments in pulp and paper, and mining.
20th Century Industry & PoliticsAs the shipbuilding, masting and lumber industries waned, pulp and paper production eventually replaced lumber exports as the mainstay of the area's economy. A valuable sports fishery developed, attracting "sports" initially from adjacent New England, and subsequently from all parts of the world. In the mid 20th century, an air force base, CFB Chatham, became the cornerstone of Chatham's economy. The discovery of base metal deposits and the development of Heath Steele Mines, 60 km to the northwest, allowed Newcastle's economy to diversify and strengthen through the 1960s. The mine and airforce base had both closed by 1999 as the mine's ore body was depleted, and with the collapse of the cold war. The forest industry is the dominant player in the city's economy today.
In the 20th century the rivalry between Newcastle and Chatham continued, expressed chiefly through sports, politics, and in competition for businesses and government largesse. In 1994 then Premier Frank McKenna developed and implemented a plan for merging the communities. The amalgamation of the former towns and villages to form the City of Miramichi was controversial at the time, and remains so today, due to the strong identities that each of the communities possessed. The 1995 amalgamation of the communities served to limit this rivalry, giving the region a larger and more united voice in promoting the region.
Additional informationFor a more detailed local history, including details of prominent citizens, see the entries for Miramichi's founding communities (Newcastle, Chatham, Douglastown, Loggieville, and Nelson). For a larger regional context, consult the entry for Maritime history.
ClimateMiramichi enjoys a cool, moist climate (Mean Annual Temperature = 4.7°C, January Mean Temperature = -10.7°C; Mean July Temperature = 19.2°C). Proximity to the Gulf of St. Lawrence tends to moderate the winter climate, but Arctic air sometimes penetrates into the area during winter (coldest recorded temperature = -35°C, 2 February 1962). Summers are warm and sunny (hottest recorded temperature = 37.8°C, 12 August 1944). The city averages about 1100 mm of precipitation per year, with about 300 mm of the precipitation falling as snow.
Miramichi winters are sunnier than almost anywhere else in Canada, averaging 120 hours of bright sunshine in January (Compare with Winnipeg, Manitoba - 120.3 hours; Kelowna, British Columbia - 40 hours). Miramichi averages 250.5 hours of bright sunshine in July.
(All data are derived from Environment Canada statistics for the Miramichi airport)
Arts & CultureRootsAlthough the Miramichi can claim a host of refined, imported cultural traditions and events as showcased in theatres and on stage, true Miramichi culture is distinctive, rustic and homegrown. As in other regions of the Maritimes, Miramichi culture is firmly grounded in the Mi'kmaq, Acadian, Scottish, and Irish traditions of the region's founding population, and in the fishing, sailing and lumbering industries of old. There is also a deep spiriitual connection, indeed reverence, that the people hold for their river(s). The accent and language of Miramichiers bears an unmistakable Celtic brand. The people speak irreverently, drawing on a host of distinctive expressions with meanings to baffle visitors. Every bend in the rivers, from Push and Be Damned Rapids to the Turnip Patch has a distinctive name. These roots and the hard lives of their ancestors have provided rich fodder for the dark novels of renowned local author David Adams Richards, the more lively tales and folklore of Herb Curtis and Doug Underhill, and the fiction and non-fiction of acclaimed Chatham-born writer Raymond Fraser.
Local legends, like the tales of the Headless Nun, the Wizard of the Miramichi, and the Dungarvon Whooper, are products of the long, rich history of the region, and a tradition of story-telling. The telling of "lies" (or tall tales) provided a social outlet, building a close bond among "shantymen" as they passed long winter nights in remote lumber camps. No doubt these tales were further embellished as each generation sought to improve upon the original stories, and captivate their audience. This oral tradition lives on in the hunting and fishing camps that line the river, and in the traditional ballads immortalised in Louise Manny's Songs of the Miramichi, in the 1962 Folkways Records recording, and in the Miramichi Folk Song Festival.
FestivalsLocal festivals which celebrate Miramichi culture, and the ancestral roots of the original settlers include:
Miramichi Folksong Festival Annual Pow-wows hosted in nearby Eel Ground and Red Bank La Fête nationale des Acadiens - Acadian Day Celebration of Scots Irish Festival on the Miramichi Miramichi Fiddle Festival
Other local festivals include:
Canada Days Festival Downtown Miramichi Rock 'n Roll Festival Miramichi Salmon Classic Miramichi Exhibition
Proper DictionMiramichiers speak in a colourful language, a form of Maritime English, not readily understood by outsiders. A small part of the language has been captured in Herb Curtis' 1991 book, "Look what the Cat drug in - a Miramichi Dictionary" , and Doug Underhill's 1996 "City of Miramichi - An interpretive guide". Visitors may find a few words and expressions useful when visiting the region:
Geography
Nor'wst - the Northwest Miramichi River Sou'wst - the main Southwest Miramichi River L'il Sou'wst - the Little Southwest Miramichi River, a tributary to the Northwest Miramichi River North Pole - North Pole Stream, a tributary to the Little Southwest Miramichi River Skunk Ridge - a neighbourhood in the former town of Newcastle Back Lots - The area North of McKinnon Road in the former Village of Douglastown
The River
Bogan - a small still-water channel set apart from the main river channel Boatin' - canoeing Runnin' - canoeing downstream Polin' - canoeing, possibly upstream, but navigating with the use of a long pole, rather than a paddle Sport - a paying guest at a fishing camp Hole - a deep pool in the river frequented by salmon
Weather
Warm - too hot to bear A touch cool - unbearably cold
Quality
Good - okay Some good - very good Right some good - wow! amazingly good! Right some jeezly good - world's finest, unbelievably good
Miscellaneous
Government Dairy - liquor store Lad - an ageless, gender-neutral term used in reference to anyone: an elderly gentleman (or woman, or possibly pet canine), a child, a youth, or anyone in between Moosebird - grey jay Run - a mass of fish, usually salmon, heading upstream Tear - a wild party Ugly - angry Lie - a really, good story (possibly even the truth) The Absolute Truth - probably complete fiction
Expressions
'ow's she bootin' 'er - How are you? I should hope to kiss a duck - I'm seriously offended; how could you doubt the truth of my story?RecreationThe city offers a full range of summer and winter sports programs and facilities, including recreation centres, swimming pools, a golf course, and rinks for skating, curling and ice hockey. The city, however, is best known as a haven for outdoor sport enthusiasts. The river offers gently meandering, and challenging whitewater opportunities for canoe and kayak, and superb angling for Atlantic Salmon and brook trout. About one-half of the sport catch of Atlantic salmon in North America are landed on the Miramichi River and its tributaries. The warm waters of Miramichi Bay offer an ideal setting for sailing enthusiasts during summer. The snowy winters are welcomed by cross-country skiers and snowmobilers. An extensive network of trails is available for hiking, cycling, birding, skiing, and snowmobiling.
Prominent Citizens - Past and Present Richard Bedford Bennett (11th Prime Minister of Canada) David Adams Richards (writer) Doug Underhill (writer) Susan Butler (singer) Raymond Fraser (writer) Frank McKenna (former MLA, NB premier, and ambassador) Yvon Durelle (boxing great) Louise Manny (historian) Lord Beaverbrook - Max Aitken (philanthropist, newspaper magnate) Joseph Leonard O'Brien (lieutenant-governor, politician, businessman) Jabez Bunting Snowball (lieutenant-governor, politician, businessman) W.S. Loggie (politician, businessman) Richard Hutchison (politician, businessman) Michael Whelan (poet) Peter Mitchell (politician, father of confederation) Joseph Cunard, brother of Samuel Cunard (businessman) William Davidson (pioneer, businessman, politician) Richard Denys, son of Nicolas Denys (fur-trader)TourismWith its rich history and scenic landscape, the city attracts visitors from all over the world. The greatest attraction, beyond all else, is the Miramichi River.
Attractions- Miramichi River
The Miramichi River is the centre of all activity. The communities that compose the city lines its banks. It's many tributaries offer perhaps the greatest sports fishing experience in the world. The river is a delight for boating enthusiasts. It is beautiful! It is the greatest source of Miramichi pride.
- 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.
- 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.
- French Fort Cove
French Fort Cove is a nature park located between Newcastle and Nordin. 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 site of a gristmill, lumbermill and shipyard. It is also 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.
It is the setting for the local legend of the Headless Nun.
- Middle Island
Middle Island was used as a quarantine station 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. 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.
- Rankin House
Alexander Rankin and James Gilmour came to the area in 1812 to establish a lumber and shipbuilding enterprise (Gilmour, Rankin & Co.) at Douglastown (then known as Gretna Green). Rankin House was constructed in 1837 as the home of Alexander Rankin.
Rankin House is now a museum containing a collection of objects relating to early life in New Brunswick. It is located in Douglastown on the King George Highway.
- 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.
- 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.
Twin City Monaghan, Ireland. In 1999 Miramichi was twinned with the County Monaghan in Ireland. Monaghan, a county of some 55,000 people, is located in the north-east of the Republic of Ireland on the border with Northern Ireland. This link denotes the strong ancestral bonds between Ireland and New Brunswick and Canada generally. Each year delegations from Monaghan and Miramichi exchange visits.External linksMiramichi HistoryNew Brunswick Covered BridgesGoogle MapBeaubear's IslandFrench Fort CoveHistoric Middle IslandLocal Directory Maps - Map of Miramichi City McCorry's Memoirs Era 2: Where am I? In the Village of My Childhood (1972-7) - Written by Kevin McCorry Miramichi Weather
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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By Ashley
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Road Trip from Quebec City to New Brunswick, PEI, Nova Scotia and back to QC.
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