Fredericton, New Brunswick

:For the Canadian federal electoral district of the same name, see Fredericton (electoral district)

History

The area of the present-day City of Fredericton was first used for seasonal farming by the Mi'kmaq and Maliseet peoples. The first European contact in the area was by the French in the late 17th Century, who granted the land to Joseph de Villebon. In 1692, he built a fort (Fort Nashwaak) on the north side of the Saint John River, at the mouth of the Nashwaak River. After de Villebon's death in 1700 and a devastating flood, the fort was abandoned.

Related Topics:
Mi'kmaq - Maliseet - French - 17th Century - Joseph de Villebon - 1692 - Fort Nashwaak - Saint John River - Nashwaak River - 1700

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The Fredericton area was first permanently settled and named Pointe-Sainte-Anne (often anglicized to Ste. Anne's Point) in 1732 by Acadians fleeing Nova Scotia after the British took over the territory. Their townsite was on the south side of the river, approximately a mile upriver from Fort Nashwaak. The British captured Ste. Anne's Point after the expulsion of the Acadians in 1755, burning the settlement to the ground. A 1762 settlement attempt by the British was unsuccessful, but three fur traders manged to permanently settle there in 1768.

Related Topics:
1732 - Acadia - Nova Scotia - British - Expulsion of the Acadians - 1755 - 1762 - 1768

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In 1783, United Empire Loyalists settled in Ste. Anne's Point after the American Revolution, although many died on the long, arduous journey from the United States.

Related Topics:
1783 - United Empire Loyalists - American Revolution - United States

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When New Brunswick became a separate colony from Nova Scotia in 1784, Ste. Anne's Point became the provincial capital, winning out over Parrtown (present-day Saint John) due to its central inland location meaning it was less prone to American attack from the sea. A street plan was laid out to the west of the original townsite, King's College (now the University of New Brunswick) was founded, and the locale was renamed "Frederick's Town", in honour of the second son of King George III of the United Kingdom, Prince Frederick Augustus, Duke of York. The name was shortened to Fredericton shortly after the city became the official provincial capital of New Brunswick on April 25, 1785.

Related Topics:
1784 - Saint John - University of New Brunswick - George III of the United Kingdom - Prince Frederick Augustus, Duke of York - April 25 - 1785

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The same attributes that made Fredericton the capital city also made it an ideal spot for a military installation. Many of the original military buildings downtown still stand, and are now tourist attractions.

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A building was constructed to house the provincial legislative assembly in 1788, but it was destroyed by a fire in 1880. Two years later, the present Legislature Building was constructed.

Related Topics:
1788 - 1880 - Legislature Building

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In 1848, Christ Church Cathedral (part of the Church of England) was built, allowing Fredericton to achieve city status.

Related Topics:
1848 - Christ Church Cathedral - Church of England

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A Maliseet settlement, today called the St. Mary's First Nation, was founded on the north side of the river in 1847.

Related Topics:
Maliseet - St. Mary's First Nation - 1847

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Until Gibson (now referred to as the neighbourhood of Devon) was merged with Fredericton in 1945, the corporate limit of the city of Fredericton was restrained to the south side. In 1973, the city annexed several bedroom communities, such as Nashwaaksis, Marysville, Barker's Point, and Silverwood. Although all of these names are still in common use, references to simply the "north side" or the "south side" (with the Saint John River being the dividing line) are generally used by local residents.

Related Topics:
Devon - 1945 - 1973 - Nashwaaksis - Marysville - Barker's Point - Silverwood

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