Oromocto, New Brunswick
Encyclopedia
Oromocto is a Canadian
town in Sunbury County
, New Brunswick
.
The town is located on the west bank of the St. John River at the mouth of the Oromocto River
, approximately 20 kilometres southeast of Fredericton
. The town's name is derived from the name of the Oromocto River; "oromocto" is thought to have originated from the Maliseet word wel-a-mook-took which means "deep water".
(1758). During the American Revolution
, Fort Hughes was built in the community after the rebellion at Maugerville, New Brunswick
. (A replica of Fort Hughes was built at Sir Douglas Hazen Park.)
There are various burial grounds throughout the town. Oromocto was originally a shipbuilding
town in the 19th century, but went into decline after the industry closed. It remained a small hamlet until it was selected as the headquarters for a large military training area, in the early 1950s. The Gagetown Military Camp
(Camp Gagetown) opened in 1955 as the largest military reservation in the Commonwealth of Nations
at the time.
Oromocto underwent a major transformation during this time as it was designed to be a "model town". It was considered to be at the forefront of such efforts in Canada, along with locations such as Richmond Hill, Ontario
and Nepean, Ontario
. Today, Oromocto's entire economy is dominated by CFB Gagetown
.
The town's location in the Saint John River valley provides lush vegetation and an attractive waterfront on both rivers. A small park and marina occupy an area on the Oromocto River waterfront near the downtown. Nightlife attractions include the former Club Camelot, no longer in operation, as well as Griffon's Pub and Eatery (formerly Bleachers, Crocodile Dundee's) the Oromocto Hotel. The town's shopping mall features Pizza Delight, A&W, Bluenotes, Reitman's, Tim Hortons as well as an Atlantic Superstore location. A business district in the area of Restigouche Road and has become moderately successful, and the town features a small hospital, track and field facilities, and a multitude of churches. The town is home to a distribution centre for Sobeys
grocery stores, a funeral home, library and recreation centre. Where the town borders on CFB Gagetown there is also a Canex with a salon and barbershop, lounge, hockey/squash arenas, swimming pool, and a credit union, along with military vehicles and aircraft on outdoor display.
Adjacent to the town on the eastern limits is the Oromocto First Nations reservation, a small Mi'qmaq/Maliseet community.
Canadian National Railway
abandoned its railway line, which ran through the town to CFB Gagetown, in March 1996. Today, this railway right-of-way has been developed as a recreational trail and is part of the "Sentier NB Trail" network. This particular portion of the Sentier NB Trail between Fredericton
-Oromocto-Burton
also hosts the Trans-Canada Trail.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
town in Sunbury County
Sunbury County, New Brunswick
Sunbury County is located in central New Brunswick, Canada. A large military base is located in the western part of the county south of the town of Oromocto...
, New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
.
The town is located on the west bank of the St. John River at the mouth of the Oromocto River
Oromocto River
The Oromocto River is a tributary of the Saint John River in southwest New Brunswick, Canada.The Oromocto River is formed by the combination of the North and South Branches near Fredericton Junction, and flows north-northeast for 42 kilometres to its mouth at the Saint John River in the town of...
, approximately 20 kilometres southeast of Fredericton
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Fredericton is the capital of the Canadian province of New Brunswick, by virtue of the provincial parliament which sits there. An important cultural, artistic, and educational centre for the province, Fredericton is home to two universities and cultural institutions such as the Beaverbrook Art...
. The town's name is derived from the name of the Oromocto River; "oromocto" is thought to have originated from the Maliseet word wel-a-mook-took which means "deep water".
History
The village was initially an Acadian village. During the Expulsion of the Acadians, the village was burned in the St. John River CampaignSt. John River Campaign
The St. John River Campaign occurred during the French and Indian War when Colonel Robert Monckton led a force of 1150 British soldiers to destroy the Acadian settlements along the banks of the Saint John River until they reached the largest village of Sainte-Anne des Pays-Bas in February 1759...
(1758). During the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, Fort Hughes was built in the community after the rebellion at Maugerville, New Brunswick
Maugerville, New Brunswick
Maugerville is a community in Sunbury County in the Canadian province of New Brunswick. In 1759, members of the Perley Colony, land-seekers from present-day Maine, settled in the area...
. (A replica of Fort Hughes was built at Sir Douglas Hazen Park.)
There are various burial grounds throughout the town. Oromocto was originally a shipbuilding
Shipbuilding
Shipbuilding is the construction of ships and floating vessels. It normally takes place in a specialized facility known as a shipyard. Shipbuilders, also called shipwrights, follow a specialized occupation that traces its roots to before recorded history.Shipbuilding and ship repairs, both...
town in the 19th century, but went into decline after the industry closed. It remained a small hamlet until it was selected as the headquarters for a large military training area, in the early 1950s. The Gagetown Military Camp
CFB Gagetown
Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, referred to as CFB Gagetown is a large Canadian Forces Base located in southwestern New Brunswick.- Construction of the base :...
(Camp Gagetown) opened in 1955 as the largest military reservation in the Commonwealth of Nations
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
at the time.
Oromocto underwent a major transformation during this time as it was designed to be a "model town". It was considered to be at the forefront of such efforts in Canada, along with locations such as Richmond Hill, Ontario
Richmond Hill, Ontario
Richmond Hill is a town located in Southern Ontario, Canada in the central portion of York Region, Ontario. It is part of the Greater Toronto Area, being located about halfway between Toronto and Lake Simcoe...
and Nepean, Ontario
Nepean, Ontario
- Recent quantity of snow :- History :Nepean Township, originally known as Township D, was established in 1792 and originally included what is now the central area of Ottawa west of the Rideau River. Jehiel Collins, from Vermont, is believed to have been the first person to settle in Nepean...
. Today, Oromocto's entire economy is dominated by CFB Gagetown
CFB Gagetown
Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, referred to as CFB Gagetown is a large Canadian Forces Base located in southwestern New Brunswick.- Construction of the base :...
.
| Census | Population |
|---|---|
| 1871 | 400 |
| 1956 | 661 |
| 1961 | 12,170 |
| 1971 | 11,427 |
| 1981 | 9,064 |
| 1991 | 9,325 |
| 2001 | 8,843 |
| 2006 | 8,402 |
The town's location in the Saint John River valley provides lush vegetation and an attractive waterfront on both rivers. A small park and marina occupy an area on the Oromocto River waterfront near the downtown. Nightlife attractions include the former Club Camelot, no longer in operation, as well as Griffon's Pub and Eatery (formerly Bleachers, Crocodile Dundee's) the Oromocto Hotel. The town's shopping mall features Pizza Delight, A&W, Bluenotes, Reitman's, Tim Hortons as well as an Atlantic Superstore location. A business district in the area of Restigouche Road and has become moderately successful, and the town features a small hospital, track and field facilities, and a multitude of churches. The town is home to a distribution centre for Sobeys
Sobeys
Sobeys is the second largest food retailer in Canada, with over 1,300 supermarkets operating under a variety of banners. Headquartered in Stellarton, Nova Scotia, it operates stores in all ten provinces and accumulated sales of more than $14 billion CAD in 2009...
grocery stores, a funeral home, library and recreation centre. Where the town borders on CFB Gagetown there is also a Canex with a salon and barbershop, lounge, hockey/squash arenas, swimming pool, and a credit union, along with military vehicles and aircraft on outdoor display.
Adjacent to the town on the eastern limits is the Oromocto First Nations reservation, a small Mi'qmaq/Maliseet community.
Canadian National Railway
Canadian National Railway
The Canadian National Railway Company is a Canadian Class I railway headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. CN's slogan is "North America's Railroad"....
abandoned its railway line, which ran through the town to CFB Gagetown, in March 1996. Today, this railway right-of-way has been developed as a recreational trail and is part of the "Sentier NB Trail" network. This particular portion of the Sentier NB Trail between Fredericton
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Fredericton is the capital of the Canadian province of New Brunswick, by virtue of the provincial parliament which sits there. An important cultural, artistic, and educational centre for the province, Fredericton is home to two universities and cultural institutions such as the Beaverbrook Art...
-Oromocto-Burton
Burton, New Brunswick
Burton is a Canadian rural community in Sunbury County, New Brunswick.Located on the Saint John River immediately downstream of Oromocto on New Brunswick Route 102, Burton is the shire town of the county and is the location of the Sunbury County court house.It is also located at one end of the...
also hosts the Trans-Canada Trail.
Education
- Oromocto High SchoolOromocto High SchoolOromocto High School is a high school located in Oromocto, New Brunswick, Canada. It is the largest school in School District 17 and the source of education for about 1300 students, 40% being part of a military family. Oromocto High School is also the location for district 17's district...
- Ridgeview Middle SchoolRidgeview Middle SchoolRidgeview Middle School may refer to:In the United States* Ridgeview Middle School , in Round Rock, Texas* Ridgeview Middle School , in Gaithersburg, Maryland* Ridgeview Middle School , in Sandy Springs, Georgia...
- Hubbard Ave. Elementary
- Summerhill Elementary
External links
- Town of Oromocto - official website
- Oromocto Watershed Association Inc.