Hopewell Communities

by Donna Sears

The neighborhood is surrounded by Saint John County, Kings County, Westmorland County and the Bay of Fundy. Albert County looks across from its banks of the Petitcodiac River to Westmorland County on the other side.

The Petitcodiac was originally called Pet-Kout-Koy-ek, meaning ‘the river that bends like a bow,’ by the Mi' kmaq aboriginal people. At one time, the Petitcodiac sustained a rich fishery and hosted many shipbuilding centers along its banks. This river was also an important historic transportation route; thanks to the tidal bore, it was easy to travel upstream as well as down. The Petitcodiac flows into Shepody Bay, which in turn empties into the Bay of Fundy. Shepody Bay is home to a unique hemispheric shore bird refuge and the feeding grounds for the entire East Coast American shad (fish) population.

The strong tides that influence the river – they sometimes reach 13 km/hr – carry huge volumes of water and suspended sediments upriver. These sediments are deposited on the rivers banks when the tide turns. Thus, the Petitcodiac River gains the distinction of having one of the highest natural concentrations of sediment of any river in North America. This feature has led to its nickname, ‘Chocolate River.’

A Study in Contrasts

The Albert County Neighborhood is a study in contrasts. It encompasses urban areas, rural communities, rugged coastline, fertile farmland, bedroom communities, and Acadian forests.

Residents of Albert County have historically made a living through farming, lumbering or fishing. The Acadians built dikes along the river to protect from flooding tides since it was easier than clearing the thick forests that were only a few steps from the river banks. The dikes helped them to utilize rich marshland that is still in use today. The dikes made farming a prosperous activity until the expulsion of the Acadians in 1755. Many of these dikes are still visible – and still used – today.

Long ago, farmers would drive their cattle from Albert County to Halifax. However, construction of a bridge across the Petitcodiac River and the construction of the railway allowed farmers to begin shipping their livestock by train.

Albert County is rich in minerals and ores. The most common are manganese, gypsum, shale, and oil. The region in renowned for the presence of albertite, a black, gloss, solid bitumen. Oil exploration has taken place in the Albert County Neighborhood for many years, and continues today.

The region’s sandstone was an important commodity in the mid- to late-1800s. The industry flourished with the popularity of sandstone buildings, as superior sandstone was cut from the region and shipped to major centers along the eastern seaboard such as New York and Boston. Grindstone Island, Rockport, and Beaumont were most significant in the sandstone industry.

Shipbuilding along the Petitcodiac River and the Fundy Coast was made possible by the timber that grew in abundance just a short distance away. Dry docks were constructed and wooden ships were built. When the ships were ready for the water, the gates were opened and the high tides floated the new ships.

Led by Joseph Salter – who would later become Moncton’s first Mayor – the region built large, three-masted ships that sailed the oceans of the world. Shipbuilding centers also included Salisbury, Hopewell Cape, Dorchester, and Harvey Bank.

The Petitcodiac River and the Bay of Fundy also provided an abundance of fish, both for commercial fishermen and those who harvested for their families. At one time, salmon were so plentiful in the Petitcodiac River that every family had a barrel preserved for winter eating. Unfortunately, the salmon are so rare now that they are protected by law. The fishermen who ventured out into the Bay of Fundy harvested shad and cod.

In 1968 a causeway was constructed across the Petitcodiac River, providing a second link (a bridge has existed at Gunningsville for many years) between Riverview and the City of Moncton. Although it met all regulatory requirements at the time – including its fishway – it has proven very detrimental to the entire river. The fishway has never functioned as effectively as hoped and fish stocks have declined sharply as a result. The Sentinelles Petitcodiac Riverkeeper organization is dedicated to increasing public awareness of the problems associated with the River and to improving its current condition.

Communities

The largest community in the Albert County Neighborhood is Riverview. Considered almost exclusively a bedroom community for many years, Riverview has seen growth recently with the development of call centers and retail activity. Riverview is nestled on the edge of woodland and it’s cross-country ski club maintains 25 kms of groomed trails.

Other important communities in the Neighborhood include Hillsborough, Hopewell Cape, Riverside-Albert, and Alma. Each of these communities is situated along the Petitcodiac River along route 114 between Riverview and Fundy National Park.

Further away from the Petitcodiac River, you will find the communities of Elgin, Parkindale, Turtle Creek, and Prosser Brook. Each of these communities is small, with activity in the area largely agricultural.

Famous Folks

The Albert County Neighborhood has the distinction of being home to two Canadians who became famous for their political activities. William Steeves was a Father of Canadian Confederation and Richard Bedford Bennett went on to become Prime Minister.

William Henry Steeves was born in Hillsborough, NB in 1814. As a solid member of the business community, he served for several years as Albert County’s representative in the Legislative Assembly and later was a member of the Legislative Council. Steeves was a delegate to the pre-Confederation conferences at Charlottetown and Quebec. His political involvement led to a Senate appointment after Confederation. William Henry Steeves died in Saint John, NB in 1873.

Viscount Bennett (Richard Bedford Bennett) was born in Hopewell Hill, Albert County on July third, 1870. Bennett graduated from New Brunswick Provincial Normal School in 1886 and spent several years as a teacher before attending Dalhousie University where he became a lawyer. He moved to Alberta and continued the political life he had begun as a town councilor in Chatham, NB. In 1927 he became leader of the Conservative Party and was elected Prime Minister in 1930. He served as Canada’s political leader until 1935. Bennett died in Mickleham, Surrey, England in 1947. He has the distinction of being the only Canadian Prime Minister not buried in Canada.

Why Should I Visit?

There are innumerable reasons to visit the Albert County Neighborhood. We have included a few of the highlights, but you will uncover many more as you surf through the articles and links on BayofFundy.com that are devoted to the Albert County Neighborhood.

§ Dobson Trail – This 59 kilometre trail stretches from Riverview to Fundy National Park. The route is divided into nine sections (varying lengths) with ready access from secondary roads. It takes about three days to complete the trail (at an easy pace) and another day to get to Fundy National Park headquarters. There is also a half-kilometre ‘feel cable’ to guide sight-impaired hikers.

§ Hopewell Rocks – The tides have carved away the rock to create these amazing ‘flowerpots.’ If you visit at low tide, you can explore them on foot from the ocean floor. Visit at high tide and you will need a kayak!  

§ Covered Bridges – Ten of New Brunswick’s sixty-five (65) remaining covered bridges are situated in the Petitcodiac River system: Petitcodiac River, Memramcook River, Shepody River, Coverdale, William Mitton, Crooked Creek, Saw Mill Creek, Turtle Creek, Weldon Creek, and Bull Creek.

§ Tidal Bore – One of the most scenic phenomena caused by the incredible Bay of Fundy tides. Twice each day the higher waters in the Bay cause the calm Petitcodiac River to roll upstream in one wave. Depending on the phase of the moon and other meteorological conditions, the wave can range from two inches to two feet in height.

§ Sandpipers – The Fundy region hosts up to 2 million shorebirds during the fall migration each year. These birds feast on the mud shrimp that are left vulnerable on the surface of the mud when the tide recedes. Each sandpiper remains in the area for ten to twenty days, and doubles its body weight to about forty grams, they double their body weight to about forty grams.

§ Caving – Albert County is one New Brunswick’s best locations for caving. The White Caves of Hillsborough have been mapped by the Caledocadie Caving Club. Lost Brook Cave (also in Hillsborough) is accessed from Lost Brook Valley, where two stream valleys lead to many cave features. There are a number of interesting passageways and a small waterfall inside the cave. There are also a number of sandstone caves in Fundy National Park.

§ Railroad – Enjoy a relaxing diesel-hauled train excursion through rural New Brunswick in an antique coach. Or enjoy a home-style meal on the 3.5 hour dinner train into the Caledonia Hills. There is also a railway museum on site.

§ Cape Enrage – Enjoy breathtaking views as you visit a traditional Bay of Fundy lighthouse and have tea at the keepers house. You can walk on the fossil-rich ocean floor after descending a beach stairway or pack a picnic lunch to eat at the picnic tables. Rappelling, kayaking, workshops, camps, and other adventures await you at Cape Enrage.

§ Hemispheric Bird Reserve – Mary’s Point designated as Ramsar Site in 1982, Shepody Bay and Minas Basin added in 1987. Ramsar Convention recognizes wetlands of international importance to wildlife. In 1987 Mary’s Point and Shepody Bay were designated as the first Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve Network in Canada. The Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve Network has a narrower focus than Ramsar, as it applies specifically to shorebird areas. Peak viewing time for the thousands of sandpipers that stop over during their migration to South America is late-July to mid-August.

§ Maple Sugar Woods – New Brunswick is home to four hundred twenty-six (426) maple syrup producers, many of whom live in Albert County. Local maple products (maple syrup, maple sugar, etc.) can be purchased year-round, however, if you visit in March or April you can visit the sugar woods in full production – and often enjoy a pancake and bean supper with fresh maple syrup!

§ Fundy National Park – The 206 square kilometer park has two distinct faces: Fundy coastline and Acadian forests. These forests were once sacrificed to the needs of civilization, but are now home to 120 kms of hiking and biking trails – and on the road to recovery. The Peregrine Falcon has been reintroduced in the area and ground-breaking research is being conducted on northern flying squirrels. Fundy Park is an ideal setting for a vast number of outdoor activities:

• Backpacking
• Kayaking 
• Canoeing – river, lake, ocean 
• Winter camping 
• Snowshoeing 
• Backcountry and cross country skiing 
• Mountain biking
• Spectacular numbers of seabirds & shorebirds

§ Albert County Fair – This agricultural fair is held at the county fairgrounds in Riverside-Albert each September. Those in the region showcase their livestock, produce, crafts, etc.

§ Golfing – There are a number of courses in the Neighborhood that will interest the golfer. The Moncton Golf & Country Club is located in Riverview. Hillsborough is home to Burro Hills Golf Course. Fundy National Park hosts a nine-hole golf course that is open from mid-May to early October.

§ Trans Canada Trail – The Trans Canada Trail crosses Canada from sea to sea utilizing abandoned rail beds. In the Albert County Neighborhood, the trail runs along the edge of the marsh for about twenty (20) kilometers. It is a very flat and open section of trail. Explore it on foot, bicycle, or horseback.

§ Crooked Creek Trail/Lookout – This is a wonderful place to see the changing colors in fall. Crooked Creek winds through a wooded valley and drops in a crystal clear falls. There are many compelling reasons to visit the Albert County Neighborhood during your trip to the Bay of Fundy region. No matter what your chosen activity – or activity level – you will have experiences that you will treasure for a lifetime.

"We enjoyed Canada's beauty and friendly people, and are looking forward to another visit!" - Gray & Marilyn Woodfin, Marblehead MA - Motorcoach Tour June 2005