Bathurst

Bathurst, NB, incorporated as a city in 1966, population 12 275 (2011c), 12 714 (2006c). The City of Bathurst is the administrative centre of Gloucester County. It is located on Bathurst Harbour at the mouth of the Nepisiguit River in northern New Brunswick. Founded by Nicolas DENYS in 1652, the site was abandoned after his death in 1688. The next settlers were dispossessed ACADIANS (1757) and English traders, including George Walker, who arrived in 1768. His fortification battery was raided and destroyed by American privateers circa 1778. First called Nipisiguit, then St Peters, it was renamed Bathurst in 1826 after the colonial secretary, Henry Bathurst, 3rd earl of Bathurst.

Lumbering, shipbuilding (begun here in the 1820s) and sawmills first dominated the economy. Bathurst Iron Mines was also in operation from 1907 to 1913. A pulp mill opened in 1914; it was expanded to make paper in 1923 and underwent major renovations in 1983 and 1988. The mill now produces corrugated paper. The discovery of sizable base metal deposits in 1953 in the surrounding region spurred the city's development. The Brunswick Mine began production in 1965 and is owned by Noranda Inc.

The community is primarily English- and French- speaking, and besides English and French high schools, has a campus of New Brunswick Community College and 2 nursing schools. It is also the site of the cathedral of the Roman Catholic diocese of Bathurst.

The K.C. Irving Regional Centre (1996) is a multipurpose recreational and entertainment centre for the Chaleur region. The Gowan Brae Golf and Country Club has been the site of 3 national championships. There is also a popular saltwater beach at Youghall Beach Park. With CAMPBELLTON, Bathurst co-hosted the 2003 Canada Winter Games.

Sir James DUNN, industrialist and financier; Herman J. Good (1887-1969), VICTORIA CROSS recipient (World War I); and Charlie Chamberlain, singer and songwriter of the ISLANDERS were all born in Bathurst, as were movie-pioneer brothers Sam and Joe De Grasse. Joe (1873-1940) became a successful Hollywood director and Sam (1875-1953) acted in 107 movies, including the controversial Birth of a Nation (1915).

Author BURTON GLENDENNING

Links to Other Sites
Bathurst
The official website for the City of Bathurst, New Brunswick. Check out the link to the Acadien Historical Village.

Perry Dumaresq
A biography of Perry Dumaresq, naval officer, office holder, jp, and judge. From the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online.

Atlantic Provinces Chambers of Commerce
The website for the Atlantic Provinces Chambers of Commerce (APCC), formerly the Maritime Board of Trade. Formed in 1896, this organization promotes and supports business and economic development in Atlantic Canada. Click on "Chambers" for links to local Chambers of Commerce.