St. Stephen: New Brunswick's Coastal Gem

St. Stephen is a Canadian town in Charlotte County, New Brunswick, situated on the east bank of the St. Croix River. The river marks a section of the Canada–United States border, forming a natural boundary between the town and Calais, Maine. St. Stephen is known as Canada's Chocolate Town due to the longstanding presence of the Ganong Bros. chocolate company. The town is also home to several museums, including the Chocolate Museum, the Wabanaki Cultural Center, and the Charlotte County Museum. St. Stephen offers a variety of restaurants, shops, and natural woodland hiking trails for visitors to explore.

St Stephen-Calais Border

The St Stephen-Calais border is one of the busiest commercial crossings along the US-Canada border. The two towns are connected by three bridges, with the newest, the International Avenue Bridge, being the only one that allows commercial traffic.

The International Avenue Bridge, which opened in 2010, was built to relieve the heavy traffic and extensive delays experienced by travellers using the older border crossings at Milltown and Ferry Point. The Milltown-St Stephen border crossing is now only open to automobiles, with all commercial traffic directed to use the International Avenue port of entry. The International Avenue Bridge is open to passenger and commercial vehicles 24/7, although NEXUS lanes going into the US are only open at the weekend from 8 am to 11 am (EST), and those going into Canada are open daily from 3 pm to 5 pm.

The Canadian CBSA calls the International Avenue Bridge the “St. Stephen 3rd Bridge”, while U.S. Customs refers to it as the “International Avenue” crossing. The bridge connects to Maine State Route 9 on the US side and New Brunswick Route 1 on the Canadian side.

St Stephen is known as Canada's Chocolate Town, as it is the home of the country's oldest candy company, Ganong Bros. Limited, founded in 1873. The town also has a Chocolate Museum.

Canada's Chocolate Town

St. Stephen, New Brunswick, is a small Canadian town with a big claim to fame: it's Canada's Chocolate Capital. Located in southwest New Brunswick, just across the St. Croix River from Calais, Maine, St. Stephen is officially named Canada's Chocolate Town.

Ganong Chocolatier

The story of St. Stephen's chocolate history begins with the Ganong Bros. In 1873, brothers James and Gilbert Ganong opened a grocery store in the town. When the store almost failed, they added candy, then considered a rare specialty item, to their wares. The candy started flying off the shelves, so the brothers began making their own. Ganong Bros. Ltd. grew dramatically, and by 1930, the company was a major corporation employing 700 people. Today, the downtown Ganong Chocolatier shop continues to sell many old-fashioned chocolate varieties that have been made for over half a century.

The Chocolate Museum

The Chocolate Museum, located in the historic Ganong candy factory, offers an interactive way to learn about the history of the Ganong family and the art of chocolate-making. Visitors can explore hands-on exhibits, vintage chocolate boxes, and antique candy-making equipment, and even peek into the studio where Ganong's famous hand dippers craft chocolates using traditional methods.

Chocolate Fest

St. Stephen's love for chocolate isn't just about eating it; it's also about celebrating it. Every August since 1985, the town has hosted a week-long Chocolate Fest, with chocolate-making workshops, chocolate bar bingo, chocolate painting, pudding-eating contests, treasure hunts, and more. The festival mascots are the Great Chocolate Mousse and Tiffany, his wife.

Ganong Nature Park

Just a few miles out of St. Stephen is the Ganong Nature Park, a 350-acre park and forested recreation space overlooking the St. Croix River. The park features 11 short trails, a Ganong family cottage, and the foundations of old farm buildings. It's the perfect place to spend time in nature without roughing it, as there are glamping units available for accommodation.

St. Stephen, New Brunswick, truly lives up to its name as Canada's Chocolate Town, with a rich history of chocolate-making, fun festivals, and delicious treats to indulge in.

St Stephen's history

St. Stephen, a Canadian town in Charlotte County, New Brunswick, has a rich history that dates back to the early 17th century. The town is situated on the east bank of the St. Croix River, which forms a natural border with the United States—specifically, the town of Calais, Maine. This strategic location has played a significant role in the town's history and development over the centuries.

The first inhabitants of the area were the Peskotomuhkati people (formerly known as the Passamaquoddy), who made their homes along the St. Croix River. They led a semi-nomadic lifestyle, hunting inland during the winters and gathering along the coast in the summers to harvest seafood. In 1604, French explorer Samuel de Champlain and his crew spent a winter among the Peskotomuhkati. Unfortunately, this marked the beginning of a long period of displacement for the Peskotomuhkati as they were repeatedly forced off their lands by incoming European settlers.

During Queen Anne's War in the early 18th century, St. Stephen became the site of a raid led by New Englander Major Benjamin Church. In response to the French Raid on Deerfield, Church targeted the Acadian village of Castine, Maine (then known as Penobscot). Learning that Michel Chartier had been granted the land of present-day St. Stephen and was building a fort, Church and his men travelled up the St. Croix River. On June 7, 1704, they launched a surprise attack, causing Chartier and his family to flee into the woods. The raid resulted in the destruction of crops and a three-hour exchange of fire, with 35 Acadians and Peskotomuhkati killed or imprisoned.

In the following centuries, St. Stephen's economy thrived, particularly in the lumber and shipbuilding industries. By the end of the 18th century, the town boasted numerous dry docks and slips along the river, shared with Calais. The town's prominent families, such as the Merchies and the Todds, held a monopoly over the St. Croix River system. However, this economic landscape shifted after World War II, with the town's primary employers becoming the Ganong Bros. candy company and the St. Croix Cotton Mill.

St. Stephen was officially incorporated as a town in 1871, and in the 1870s, it faced a significant challenge when its business district was gutted by a fire that destroyed eighty buildings and thirteen wharves. The town recovered and continued to grow, eventually amalgamating with the neighbouring municipality of Milltown in the 1970s to become the larger entity known today as St. Stephen.

Known as "Canada's Chocolate Town," St. Stephen has a long association with the Ganong Bros. chocolate company, which has been a fixture in the town for about 150 years. The town also hosts a week-long Chocolate Fest every August, celebrating its sweet heritage with mascots like the Great Chocolate Mousse and his wife, Tiffany. This love of chocolate has led to the opening of The Chocolate Museum, further cementing St. Stephen's reputation as a chocolate lover's paradise.

Things to do in St Stephen

St. Stephen, a charming Canadian town situated on the border with the United States, offers a plethora of attractions for visitors to explore. Here are some of the best things to do when visiting St. Stephen:

Explore the Town's Chocolate Heritage

St. Stephen is known as "Canada's Chocolate Town," and this sweet treat is at the heart of the town's culture. The Ganong Bros. chocolate company has been a fixture in St. Stephen for about 150 years. Visitors can indulge their sweet tooth at the Ganong Chocolatier shop and learn about the history of chocolate in the area at the Chocolate Museum. The David Alison Ganong Chocolate Park, located across the street from the museum, offers a scenic spot to relax and enjoy your treats.

Enjoy the Great Outdoors

St. Stephen provides plenty of opportunities to connect with nature. The Ganong Nature Park features easy walking trails and hosts events like lumberjack competitions. The St. Croix River, which marks the border with the United States, is a great place to spend an afternoon. You can pick up lunch from a downtown restaurant and enjoy it by the river or explore the parks, trails, and forests nearby.

Discover the Town's History

St. Stephen has a rich historical heritage. The Loyalist Burial Ground, located near the river, is one of the oldest cemeteries in the area and serves as the final resting place for many Loyalists. The Cotton Mill Workers Memorial, situated alongside the town's dam, provides insight into the town's industrial past. The town also hosts the Wabanaki Cultural Center, which showcases the history and culture of the Wabanaki people, the original inhabitants of the region.

Partake in Seasonal Festivities

St. Stephen knows how to celebrate! The town hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year, including the International Homecoming Festival in August, where the community comes together with their neighbours in Calais, Maine, for a cross-border celebration featuring food, activities, a parade, and a spectacular firework display. Other festivals include Chocolate Fest, Bonfire Festival, and RibFest, ensuring there's always something fun happening in St. Stephen.

Experience Local Culture and Sports

St. Stephen offers a range of cultural and sports-related activities. The Garcelon Civic Centre, home to the Junior Hockey team, the St. Stephen Aces, also has a swimming pool and skating rink for those who enjoy active pursuits. Old Ridge Antiques is a great spot for those who love vintage and antique items, with a unique selection of glass, furniture, and jewellery.

St Stephen's economy

St. Stephen, New Brunswick, is a Canadian town situated on the east bank of the St. Croix River, which forms a natural border with Calais, Maine, in the United States. The town's economy has evolved over the years, with various industries contributing to its growth and development. Here is an overview of St. Stephen's economy:

Historical Industries:

Prior to World War II, St. Stephen's economy was predominantly based on lumber and shipbuilding industries. The St. Croix River played a vital role, with numerous dry docks and slips shared between St. Stephen and Calais. By the early 1900s, 200 ships had been built in the St. Croix waters. The town's economy was largely controlled by prominent families such as the Merchies and the Todds, who held a monopoly over the St. Croix River system.

Chocolate and Confectionery:

St. Stephen is known as "Canada's Chocolate Town" due to its long association with the Ganong Bros. chocolate company, established in 1873. Ganong is Canada's oldest candy company and remains a key employer in the town. The Chocolate Museum, opened in 1999, showcases the history of candy-making and attracts visitors to the downtown area. The annual Chocolate Fest, held every August since 1985, celebrates the town's sweet heritage.

Textile Manufacturing:

The St. Croix Cotton Mill, which opened in 1882, was once a significant employer in St. Stephen. It was Canada's second-largest textile mill, employing up to 1,200 people at its peak. The mill operated its own hydroelectric generating station, the Milltown Dam, which exported electricity to the United States until recently. However, the textile mill closed in 1957 and was demolished in 1972.

Axe Manufacturing:

The Douglas Axe Manufacturing Company, established circa 1866, built its factory on Dennis Stream in St. Stephen. The company changed hands over the years, eventually becoming the St. Stephen Edge Tool Co. and later the Mann Axe & Tool Co. The factory was water-powered and operated until 1943, when it fell victim to the Great Depression and closed.

Recent Economic Landscape:

While Ganong continues to be a major employer, St. Stephen's economy has diversified. The town now has a mix of small businesses and factories along Progress Avenue, including flakeboard and resin manufacture, machine shops, bottling, marine environmental remediation, and cannabis products manufacturing. The town also has a vibrant tourism sector, with visitors drawn to its small-town charm, natural attractions, and festivals like the International Festival and RibFest. Additionally, St. Stephen is home to various government offices, including federal, provincial, and municipal services.

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