Carlisle: New Brunswick's York County Gem

Carlisle is the name of several places in Canada. There is a Carlisle Road in York County, New Brunswick, and a community in Flamborough, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Carlisle is also the name of a town in Quebec, Canada, which is best known as the boyhood home of René Lévesque. However, there is no mention of a county called Carlisle in New Brunswick, Canada.

Carlisle is in Carleton County, New Brunswick

Carlisle is one of the many unincorporated communities in Carleton County. Others include Belleville, Jackson Falls, Jacksonville, McKenna, and Upper Waterville. There are also five incorporated municipalities within the county: Florenceville-Bristol, Hartland, Bath, Florenceville, and Bristol.

Carlisle is also the name of a locality in York County, New Brunswick, which has about 924 residents.

Carleton County is located in west-central New Brunswick

The economy of Carleton County has historically been rooted in agriculture and lumbering, with potato farming being a major industry. The county is also known for its scenic towns, including Hartland, which is home to the longest covered bridge in the world.

Carleton County was not one of the original counties of New Brunswick and was formed from York County in 1831. The shifting geography of the county has complicated historical and genealogical research, as boundaries have changed over time.

Today, Carleton County is home to five incorporated municipalities and eleven parishes, with a population density of 8.0/km2 (20.6/sq mi) as of the 2021 census.

The Saint John River bisects the western section of Carleton County

The Saint John River was discovered by French explorers the Sieur de Monts and Samuel de Champlain in 1604 and was named for St. John the Baptist. The river's original name in the Maliseet-Passamaquoddy language is Wolastoq, meaning "bountiful and good". The river and its drainage basin formed the territorial countries of the Wolastoqiyik and Passamaquoddy First Nations prior to European colonisation.

The Saint John River's drainage basin is one of the largest on the east coast, covering an area of about 55,000 square kilometres (21,000 square miles). The river is mostly calm, except for the presence of waterfalls at Grand Falls and the Beechwood Dam. The river is regulated by hydropower dams at Mactaquac, Beechwood, and Grand Falls, contributing to the development of the region.

The western section of Carleton County, bisected by the Saint John River, includes communities such as Hartland, home to the longest covered bridge in the world. Potato farming is a major industry in the county, and the river's presence undoubtedly plays a vital role in irrigation and agriculture.

Potato farming is a major industry in Carleton County

The county's landscape is characterised by rivers, with the Saint John River bisecting its western section and the Southwest Miramichi River flowing through the eastern region. This abundance of water, along with fertile soil, provides an ideal environment for agriculture, particularly potato cultivation.

Carleton County is renowned for its thriving potato farming industry. One notable example is Thompson Potato Farm, a family-owned business operated by fifth and sixth-generation Canadian farmers. With a specialised focus on potato cultivation since 1943, Thompson Potato Farm supplies high-quality potatoes year-round to restaurants, grocery stores, and wholesale companies in the Greater Toronto Area. Their farm is located in Holt, a hamlet northeast of Newmarket, ensuring easy access to major markets.

The success of potato farming in Carleton County can be attributed to several factors. The county's mild climate and abundant water sources create favourable conditions for potato growth. Additionally, the county's flat terrain and fertile soil make it ideal for large-scale potato cultivation. The presence of rivers also facilitates transportation and trade, allowing farmers to distribute their produce efficiently to markets and consumers.

Beyond Carleton County, the province of New Brunswick is also a significant contributor to Canada's potato production. With its favourable agricultural conditions, New Brunswick has established itself as a prominent potato-growing region, supplying both domestic and international markets. The province's cool, moist climate and well-drained soil provide optimal conditions for potato cultivation, further solidifying New Brunswick's reputation as a leader in the potato industry.

There are 11 parishes in Carleton County

Carleton County, located in west-central New Brunswick, Canada, is subdivided into eleven parishes. The county was formed in 1831 from York County, which was one of the original eight counties created in 1784. The eleven parishes of Carleton County are:

• Aberdeen Parish
• Brighton Parish
• Kent Parish
• Northampton Parish
• Peel Parish
• Richmond Parish
• Simonds Parish
• Wakefield Parish
• Wicklow Parish
• Wilmot Parish
• Woodstock Parish

Each parish has its own unique history and boundaries, with some parishes being created from or previously part of other parishes. For example, Wicklow Parish was created from Kent Parish, while Brighton Parish was once part of York County. These parishes play an important role in the administrative division of Carleton County and contribute to its overall population and cultural diversity.

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