Gagetown, New Brunswick: A Village In Queens County

Gagetown is a former village in Queens County, New Brunswick, Canada. It is located on the west bank of the Saint John River and was originally named Grimross. The village was renamed after British General Thomas Gage, who was granted the land in central New Brunswick after serving in the Seven Years' War. Gagetown is now part of the village of Arcadia, following a merger with the Village of Cambridge-Narrows and other communities in 2023. The nearby army training centre, CFB Gagetown, is one of the largest military facilities in Canada, covering an area of over 1,100 square kilometres.

Gagetown's history and name origin

Gagetown, a former village in Queens County, New Brunswick, Canada, has a rich history and is a place of cultural significance. The village was originally named Grimross (or Grimrose) by the Acadians and Maliseet, the indigenous inhabitants of the area before the Expulsion of the Acadians. The Raid on Grimross took place during the St. John River Campaign (1758–59), which was part of the French and Indian War. During this time, Colonel Robert Monckton led a force of 1,150 British soldiers to destroy Acadian settlements along the Saint John River.

The village's current name, Gagetown, is derived from British General Thomas Gage. Major General Thomas Gage was granted a large tract of land in central New Brunswick in appreciation of his service to the British Empire during the Seven Years' War. This land comprises modern-day Gagetown. The township was created in 1765 as Gage Township in Nova Scotia and became part of New Brunswick when its counties and parishes were erected in 1786, forming the core of Gagetown Parish.

Gagetown was established in 1783 and incorporated in 1966. During the 1800s and early 1900s, it was a historic Loyalist community and a stop for river boats. It is also the birthplace of Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley, a Father of Confederation. Today, Gagetown is known for its art and craft studios, antique shops, and beautiful turn-of-the-century architecture. It is a popular destination for birdwatching, boating, and dining.

On January 1, 2023, Gagetown amalgamated with the village of Cambridge-Narrows and several other communities to form the new village of Arcadia. Despite this change, the community's name remains in official use.

The village's amalgamation with Arcadia

Gagetown is a former village in Queens County, New Brunswick, Canada. It is located on the west bank of the Saint John River and was the shire town of the county. The village was originally named Grimross by the Acadians and Maliseet, the original inhabitants of the land before the Expulsion of the Acadians. The village's name was later derived from British General Thomas Gage, who was granted the land in appreciation of his service during the Seven Years' War.

On January 1, 2023, Gagetown lost its village status and amalgamated with the village of Cambridge-Narrows and all or part of five local service districts. This amalgamation formed the new village of Arcadia, which was incorporated through the 2023 New Brunswick local governance reforms. The community of Gagetown retains its name for official use.

Arcadia, like Gagetown, has a humid continental climate with warm summers, cold winters, and abundant precipitation. Snowfall is common in the winter months. The exact climate data for Arcadia is not yet available, but it likely mirrors that of Gagetown, with average temperatures and precipitation influencing the region.

The village of Gagetown has a rich history, serving as a stop for river boats during the 1800s and early 1900s. It is also the birthplace of Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley, a Father of Confederation. The nearby army training centre, CFB Gagetown, is named after the former village, although its headquarters are located in Oromocto. Despite the shared name, Gagetown does not have direct access to the training base.

The cultural significance of Gagetown continues to be recognised and celebrated even after the amalgamation. The annual Folly Fest, organised by a local music and art collective, FEELS GOOD, and the North Hampton Brewing Company, has been a summer tradition since 2009. The event takes place during the weekend closest to the beginning of July, attracting visitors and enhancing the local community spirit.

Local attractions and hospitality

Gagetown, New Brunswick, is a charming village nestled in the heart of the province, offering a rich cultural heritage and abundant natural beauty. Here are some highlights of local attractions and hospitality options:

Local Attractions:

• Tilley House Museum: Step back in time and explore the birthplace of Sir Leonard Tilley, one of Canada's Founding Fathers. This well-preserved historic house features period-specific furniture and decor, offering visitors a glimpse into life over 100 years ago.
• Queens County Court House Museum: Housed in an impressive stone building dating back to 1825, this museum showcases the county's legal history. Visitors can explore original woodwork and architecture while learning about the area's past.
• Grand Lake Meadows: A nature lover's paradise, Grand Lake Meadows is a sprawling wetland area providing habitat for numerous bird and wildlife species. With over 10 km of hiking trails, it's perfect for birdwatching and nature photography.
• Gagetown Lighthouse: One of the oldest lighthouses in New Brunswick, dating back to 1832, offering panoramic views of the Saint John River from its octagonal structure.
• Mount House Gagetown Island: One of the oldest wooden structures in New Brunswick, originally built as a tavern around 1786. Visitors can admire the original construction techniques, fireplaces, woodwork, floors, and doors, as well as enjoy stunning views of the Saint John River and sunsets over Gagetown Island.
• Greig Pottery Ltd.: A family-owned pottery business, creating beautiful and functional pieces since 1972. Visitors can watch potters at work, browse the showroom, and even try their hand at pottery-making.
• Folly Fest: Every summer since 2009, the local music and art collective FEELS GOOD, along with the North Hampton Brewing Company, hosts a 3-day music festival known as Folly Fest. It usually falls on the weekend closest to the end of June and the beginning of July.

Hospitality:

Gagetown offers a range of accommodation options, including bed and breakfasts, vacation rentals, and campsites. Here are some notable mentions:

• Steamers' Bed & Breakfast: A cosy and welcoming option for travellers seeking a traditional bed and breakfast experience.
• The Mission House B&B: Another charming bed and breakfast option in Gagetown, offering a comfortable stay and a delicious breakfast.
• Lang House Bed and Breakfast: A delightful bed and breakfast nestled in the heart of Gagetown, offering a tranquil escape with a hearty morning meal.
• Country Lane Bed and Breakfast Inn: This quaint bed and breakfast provides a peaceful retreat, just a stone's throw from the village centre.
• Belleisle Bay Bed & Breakfast: A delightful bed and breakfast nestled on the shores of Belleisle Bay, offering a tranquil escape with stunning water views.
• Airbnb Vacation Rentals: Gagetown also offers a variety of unique vacation rentals through Airbnb, including cosy cottages, guesthouses, and tiny homes, providing travellers with a range of comfortable and private accommodation options.

The Canadian Forces Base

Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, also known as CFB Gagetown, is a large Canadian military base in southwestern New Brunswick. Covering an area of over 1,100 square kilometres, it is the largest military facility in Eastern Canada and the second-largest in all of Canada. The base is located between the cities of Fredericton and Saint John, to the west of the Saint John River.

CFB Gagetown was constructed in the early 1950s as Canada's NATO commitments required a large site for training an entire division. The federal government chose this location for several reasons. Firstly, it provided the necessary economic stimulus to central New Brunswick. Secondly, the site offered a varied terrain, including open lands similar to northern Europe, swamps, dense forest, and high hills. Additionally, the base is situated near an all-weather Atlantic port, making it convenient for military operations.

The base was officially opened in 1958 as a training facility. It has an extensive infrastructure, boasting 1,500 kilometres of roads, 900 kilometres of tracks, and 740 buildings. CFB Gagetown is home to approximately 6,500 military members, including the Reserve Force, and 1,000 civilian personnel. The base significantly contributes to the local and provincial economies, injecting over $200 million and $700 million annually, respectively.

CFB Gagetown serves as the primary combat-training centre for the Canadian Army. It offers a range of training environments, including live-fire ranges for infantry, armoured units, and artillery units, as well as aerial weapons ranges. The base is equipped with numerous operational units, such as the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, the 4th Artillery Regiment, and the 403 Helicopter Operational Training Squadron. These units are always prepared for deployment, both domestically and internationally.

The base is named after the nearby village of Gagetown, which is now part of the village of Arcadia. Despite sharing the name, the village of Gagetown has no direct access to the base and its training areas. The headquarters of CFB Gagetown are located in Oromocto, which is a planned town that was redesigned to accommodate the influx of service personnel.

The Gagetown Ferry

In 2019, the new Progressive Conservative government announced the return of the ferry, and as of July 1, 2020, ferry service has been restored between Arcadia and Jemseg. The ferry operates seven days a week during the summer tourist season.

Frequently asked questions