St. George: A New Brunswick Gem

St. George, New Brunswick, is a community in the Rural Community of Eastern Charlotte, in Charlotte County, Canada. It is located where the Magaguadavic River flows into the Bay of Fundy, between Passamaquoddy Bay and Lake Utopia. The area is known for its rich history, beautiful countryside, and unspoiled beaches, making it a popular destination for visitors to the Bay of Fundy. St. George offers a range of outdoor activities, including whale-watching, scuba diving, hiking, and bicycle tours. The town also has a thriving aquaculture industry, with fishermen harvesting lobster, scallops, clams, and other seafood from the cold waters of the bay.

St. George's location in Eastern Charlotte

St. George, formerly a town, is a community in Eastern Charlotte, Charlotte County, New Brunswick, Canada. It is situated at the confluence of the Magaguadavic River and the Bay of Fundy, nestled between Passamaquoddy Bay and Lake Utopia. The area was first surveyed in 1786 and initially bore the name Magaguadavic before being renamed Granite Town due to the proximity of red-granite quarries. In 1829, the name was changed to St. George, and the community has since flourished, with a rich history and an array of natural attractions.

The community of St. George boasts a diverse range of outdoor adventures and natural wonders. The Bay of Fundy, known for its stunning high tides, offers whale-watching, scuba diving, and fishing opportunities. The area is also ideal for hiking, with trails leading to the picturesque St. George Gorge and the vibrant autumn foliage of the surrounding forests. For those seeking a more relaxed pace, the waterfront provides tranquil strolls accompanied by the soothing sounds of waves and the possibility of spotting eagles and osprey.

St. George has a strong connection to the water, with the largest aquaculture industry in North America based there. The cold waters of the bay are home to an abundance of seafood, including lobster, scallops, clams, and Atlantic salmon. The town's port has a long history, previously serving the Shore Line Railway, and the community was once home to two military bases during World War II.

In addition to its natural beauty and thriving aquaculture industry, St. George offers a glimpse into its past through the Historic Places Walking Tour. Visitors can explore the region's history, dating back to the early Loyalist settlers, and uncover the folklore of the elusive Lake Utopia Monster. The town also showcases its architectural heritage with covered bridges and a hydroelectric generating station on the Magaguadavic River.

The Magaguadavic River and Bay of Fundy

The Magaguadavic River is a historic Canadian river located in the province of New Brunswick. It is the sixth longest river in the province, stretching 129 km (80 mi) with a meander length and 116 km in total length. The river's name is a Maliseet-Passamaquoddy Indian word meaning "River of Eels". It rises as an outlet of Magaguadavic Lake in York County, flowing south through a low coastal mountain range called the St. Croix Highlands before emptying into the Bay of Fundy, a sub-basin of the Passamaquoddy Bay. The river has 103 named tributaries and 55 lakes, draining a watershed of 1,812 km2 (700 sq mi).

The Magaguadavic River flows through the community of St. George, located in the Rural Community of Eastern Charlotte, in Charlotte County, New Brunswick, Canada. St. George was a town until 2022 and is now part of the rural community of Eastern Charlotte. The St. George Power hydroelectric generating station is located on the Magaguadavic River and has an installed capacity of 15 MW. It is a run-of-the-river plant, meaning there is no water storage in reservoirs as there is at the Mactaquac Dam.

The Bay of Fundy is a bay between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, with a small portion touching the U.S. state of Maine. It is an arm of the Gulf of Maine and has the highest tidal range in the world, with an average of 16 metres (52 ft) compared to the global average of 1 metre (3.3 ft). The powerful tides in the funnel-shaped bay are due to tidal resonance, causing about 100 billion tonnes of water to flow in and out during each 12-hour tidal cycle. The Bay of Fundy is also known for its rare and unique intertidal habitat, with major mudflats found around the Maringouin Peninsula and on the southern side of the Minas Basin.

Local industry and employment

St. George, New Brunswick, has a rich history as a hub for various industries, including aquaculture, granite, and lumber. The town's economic landscape has evolved over time, adapting to the changing market demands and leveraging its natural resources.

Aquaculture is a prominent industry in St. George, with the town being recognised as the centre of the largest aquaculture industry in North America. Fishermen harvest lobster, scallops, clams, herring, mackerel, and Atlantic salmon from the cold waters of the Bay of Fundy. This industry provides employment opportunities for many locals and attracts visitors interested in whale-watching, scuba diving, and other aquatic adventures.

In the past, St. George was also known for its thriving granite industry. Initiated in 1872 with the establishment of a quarry by Lake Utopia and a finishing plant in the town, St. George's granite was renowned for its radiant red hue and exceptional quality. However, by the mid-20th century, the local industry struggled to compete with foreign producers, leading to its decline.

Additionally, lumber and paper mills have played a significant role in the town's economy. The St. George Pulp and Paper Company was the town's primary employer until its closure in the late 1960s. J.D. Irving, a lumber mill, and Lake Utopia Paper continue to be major employers in the region.

The town has also witnessed economic fluctuations, with short-lived upticks in tungsten and molybdenum mining in the 1980s and the presence of military bases during World War II.

Today, St. George offers diverse employment opportunities, including in transportation, with companies like Midland Transport and Atlantic Towing Limited, and in manufacturing and support services, with companies like CFM providing jobs for ironworkers, fitters, industrial mechanics, and welders.

The town's history and name changes

St. George, located in Charlotte County, New Brunswick, Canada, has a rich history that dates back to the late 18th century. The area was first explored in 1783 when Peter Clinch, regarded as the town's pioneer, arrived with fellow United Empire Loyalists. By 1786, the area was surveyed and initially called Magaguadavic. The name was derived from the Magaguadavic River, which flows into the Bay of Fundy, between Passamaquoddy Bay and Lake Utopia.

In its early years, St. George thrived economically due to its natural resources, particularly the nearby red-granite quarries. As a result, the town was renamed Granite Town. This name change occurred in 1829, and it proved to be a significant period in the town's development. A post office was established, and the town's port served the Shore Line Railway. The town also boasted several hotels, churches, stores, and mills, reflecting its growing prosperity.

The mid-19th century marked a period of rapid growth for St. George. The town had five shipyards, ten sawmills, and seven granite mills, solidifying its reputation as a bustling centre of industry. This growth led to the construction of fortifications, including Fort Vernon in 1812 and Fort Hill in 1866. Cannons from Fort Hill remain on display at the St. George Legion Hall, preserving the town's fortified past.

Religion also played a significant role in the town's history, with several churches being established over the years. The Presbyterian Kirk Church, constructed in 1790, holds the distinction of being the country's oldest continuously used Presbyterian church. The Anglican church was established in 1821, followed by the Baptist church in 1845 and the Roman Catholic church in 1854.

In 1872, the granite industry in St. George received a significant boost with the launch of a quarry by Lake Utopia and a finishing plant in the town. The "Bay of Fundy Red Granite Company" further propelled the industry, and by 1890, six firms were producing diverse granites in the area. St. George's granite was renowned for its radiant red hue and exceptional quality, making it a preferred choice for monuments and, occasionally, construction.

In 1904, St. George was officially incorporated as a town, and Fred Dewar became its first mayor. However, the decline of the granite industry began around World War II due to increasing production costs and foreign competition. By 1953, the last granite company in St. George had closed its doors.

Despite the decline of the granite industry, St. George continued to evolve. The town's economic focus shifted to other sectors, such as the St. George Pulp and Paper Company, which became the primary employer until its closure in the late 1960s. The town also witnessed a brief economic uptick in the 1980s with tungsten and molybdenum mining, followed by the emergence of the aquaculture industry.

On January 1, 2023, St. George underwent another significant change. It amalgamated with the village of Blacks Harbour and several local service districts to form the incorporated rural community of Eastern Charlotte. While the community's name has changed, St. George remains a part of its official designation, preserving its historical legacy.

Outdoor activities and attractions

St. George, New Brunswick, is a town near the Bay of Fundy, between St. John and St. Andrews. There are several outdoor activities and attractions in the area.

One popular attraction is the Ducks Unlimited Walking Trail, which takes hikers through a marsh area that is home to a variety of bird species, including ducks. The trail also features a beaver house along the way. For those who enjoy waterfalls, the St. George Falls are a must-see. These man-made hydroelectric falls offer impressive views and the sound of thundering water. The First Community Cemetery is another peaceful spot to visit, with mature trees growing among marble monuments. It is on the Register of Canada's Historic Places and contains the remains of Captain Clinch, the town's founder, and his family.

For nature lovers, the Hopewell Rocks, located along the Bay of Fundy, offer the chance to witness the highest tides in the world. The Bay of Fundy itself is a popular destination for tours, offering a glimpse into the incredible power of its tides. Kings Landing, a historic village located 20 minutes west of Fredericton, is also worth a visit.

St. George, New Brunswick, offers a range of outdoor activities and attractions that showcase the area's natural beauty and historical significance.

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