Oromocto: A Town In New Brunswick's Heart

Oromocto is a town in Sunbury County, New Brunswick, Canada. It is located on the west bank of the Saint John River, around 20 kilometres southeast of Fredericton, and its name derives from the Maliseet word 'welamukotuk', meaning 'deep water'. Oromocto is known for its military history, being the site of Canadian Forces Base Gagetown and home to the New Brunswick Military History Museum. The town offers a range of attractions, including museums, parks, dining, and outdoor adventures.

Oromocto's location and geography

Oromocto is a town in Sunbury County, New Brunswick, Canada. It is located on the west bank of the Saint John River, at the mouth of the Oromocto River, from which the town gets its name. The name "oromocto" is thought to have originated from the Maliseet word "welamukotuk", which means "deep water". The town is approximately 20 kilometres (12 miles) southeast of Fredericton.

Oromocto's location in the Saint John River valley provides lush vegetation and an attractive waterfront on both rivers. A small park and marina sit on the Oromocto River waterfront near the town's downtown area. The town also has a business district along Restigouche Road, which has seen moderate success.

Oromocto is home to a variety of amenities and services, including a small hospital, track and field facilities, churches, a distribution centre for Sobeys grocery stores, a funeral home, a library, and a recreation centre. The town also borders the Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, which dominates its economy and modern history. As such, Oromocto has military vehicles and aircraft on outdoor display, as well as a Canex with a salon and barbershop, hockey/squash arenas, and a swimming pool.

Adjacent to Oromocto on its eastern limits is the Oromocto First Nations reserve, a small Mi'kmaq/Maliseet community. The town also has a nearby railway right-of-way that has been converted into a recreational trail, the "Sentier NB Trail", which includes the Trans Canada Trail.

The town's history

Oromocto is a Canadian town in Sunbury County, New Brunswick, located on the west bank of the Saint John River at the mouth of the Oromocto River. The town's name is derived from the name of the Oromocto River, with "oromocto" thought to have originated from the Maliseet word "welamukotuk" or "welamooktook", meaning "deep water" or "deep river for navigation by canoe".

The town was initially an Acadian village, which was burned in the St. John River Campaign during the Expulsion of the Acadians in 1758. During the American Revolution, Fort Hughes was built in the community after the rebellion at Maugerville, New Brunswick. A replica of Fort Hughes was built at Sir Douglas Hazen Park. In 1783, Oromocto saw a large influx of settlers with the arrival of United Empire Loyalists, many of whom also moved into surrounding areas, establishing smaller communities such as Lincoln and Geary.

Oromocto was originally a shipbuilding town in the 19th century, producing about 22 ships. The town had an abundance of timber and sawmills, which provided economic stability even after the shipbuilding business closed. It remained a small hamlet until the early 1950s when it was selected as the headquarters for a large military training area. The Gagetown Military Camp (Camp Gagetown) opened in 1955 as the largest military reservation in the Commonwealth of Nations at the time.

Oromocto underwent a transformation during this time, expanding to accommodate the influx of military personnel and becoming known as "Canada's Model Town". The town's economy thrived as it serviced and supplied the military base. Today, Oromocto's entire economy is dominated by the Canadian Forces Base Gagetown and it serves as the administrative headquarters of the Oromocto First Nation band government.

Oromocto's economy

Oromocto, New Brunswick, is a Canadian town in Sunbury County, located on the west bank of the Saint John River at the mouth of the Oromocto River. The town's economy is dominated by the Canadian Forces Base Gagetown (CFB Gagetown), a large military training area established in the 1950s. As the primary employer in Oromocto, CFB Gagetown plays a significant role in the town's economic activities and modern history.

Historically, Oromocto was a shipbuilding town in the 19th century, utilising the abundance of timber and sawmills in the area. Even after the shipbuilding industry declined, timber and sawmills continued to provide economic stability to the town. Oromocto also benefited economically from its role as a supply and service centre for the military base.

Today, CFB Gagetown's presence has transformed Oromocto, leading to its expansion and development as a "model town". The town's economy is closely tied to the military base, with many businesses and services catering to the needs of the military personnel and their families.

In addition to CFB Gagetown, Oromocto is also home to a distribution centre for Sobeys grocery stores, a funeral home, a library, and a recreation centre. The town's marina and boat club, along with its aquatic centre, nature trails, museums, and dining and shopping options, also contribute to its economic landscape.

Oromocto's strategic location on the Saint John River has likely contributed to its economic development over the years, providing a source of natural resources and a means of transportation. The town's population, while small, is stable, and the surrounding natural beauty and recreational opportunities attract tourists and visitors, further boosting the local economy.

Attractions and tourism

Oromocto, New Brunswick, is a town with plenty of attractions and tourism opportunities. The town is known for its diverse mix of outdoor recreational activities and its military history.

Outdoor Activities

Oromocto's location along the Oromocto and Saint John rivers and its surrounding woods and countryside make it an ideal place for outdoor activities. The town has hundreds of miles of river systems to navigate by kayak, canoe, or sailing boat. Visitors can also hike or bike the network of riverside trails, including the Deer Park Nature and Trans Canada Trail System, which has four principal routes surrounding a waterfowl reserve. In the winter, these trails are available for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Golf enthusiasts can enjoy the 18-hole course at the Gage Golf and Curling Club. The town also offers a full-service marina, a small-craft aquatic centre, parks, and open spaces.

Military History

Oromocto is home to the 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown, one of the largest military bases in Canada, built in the 1950s. The town's military history dates back even further and can be explored at several museums and sites:

• New Brunswick Military History Museum
• Gagetown Military Museum
• Canadian Military Engineers Museum
• Fort Hughes Military Blockhouse in Sir Douglas Hazen Park: This blockhouse is a model of Fort Hughes, constructed by the British Army during the American Revolutionary War.

Other Attractions

In addition to its outdoor and historical attractions, Oromocto offers a range of other experiences:

• Dining: Popular restaurants include Griffins Pub & Eatery, Carnatin Chinese Restaurant, and Mingler's Restaurant & Pub.
• Shopping: Visitors can explore local shops and markets, including the Northside Market and Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market.
• Arts and Culture: Oromocto is home to sculptures and monuments, as well as the University of New Brunswick Art Centre.

Oromocto's culture and heritage

Oromocto, a small town in New Brunswick, Canada, has a rich cultural and historical heritage. The name "Oromocto" is thought to have originated from the Maliseet word "welamooktook" or "welamukotuk", meaning "deep water" or "deep river for navigation by canoe". The town is located on the west bank of the Saint John River, at the mouth of the Oromocto River. The location has been significant for both Indigenous Peoples and early settlers, who used the river for transportation and trade.

Oromocto has a long and fascinating history, dating back to the late 1600s when the French had a small settlement in the area. After 1763, New England traders used the town's location during their speculations on the Saint John River. The town played a significant role during the American Revolution, with the British army building Fort Hughes to protect the new settlements, the overland route to Quebec City, and the rich harvest of pine masts for the Royal Navy. In 1783, Oromocto saw a large influx of United Empire Loyalists, who established the town and surrounding communities.

During the 19th century, Oromocto was a thriving shipbuilding town, producing about 22 ships. The abundance of timber and sawmills drove the local economy and provided stability even after the shipbuilding industry declined. In the early 1950s, Oromocto underwent a significant transformation when it was selected as the headquarters for the large military training area of CFB Gagetown (Camp Gagetown). The town expanded rapidly to accommodate the military personnel and became known as "Canada's Model Town". The establishment of CFB Gagetown is considered the most far-reaching change in the town's history and continues to dominate its economy and modern history.

Oromocto is home to several cultural and historical attractions, including the New Brunswick Military History Museum, Fort Hughes Military Blockhouse, and the Canadian Military Engineers Museum. The town also boasts nature trails, museums, shopping, dining, parks, and open spaces. The adjacent Oromocto First Nations reserve, a small Mi'kmaq/Maliseet community, adds to the cultural and historical significance of the area. The town's tartan, with its blue, white, red, gold, brown, and black colours, represents its history and the influences of both Indigenous Peoples and early settlers.

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