THIS WEEK IN SAINT JOHN HISTORY
October 17–24, 2026
BevNice.ca | Remembering the people, places and events that shaped the Port City
Saint John’s history is a story of courage, commerce, immigration, shipbuilding and resilience. This week, we look back at some of the important chapters that helped shape New Brunswick’s oldest incorporated city.
October 17 — The Loyalists Arrive
In the spring of 1783, thousands of Loyalists arrived at the mouth of the Saint John River after the American Revolutionary War. The Spring Fleet reached the area on May 10, carrying more than 2,000 people.
Many faced difficult living conditions, with inadequate shelter and limited supplies. Their arrival helped transform the settlement into a growing community that would soon become Saint John.
Did you know? The city was incorporated by royal charter in 1785, becoming the first incorporated city in what is now Canada.
Source: Parks Canada — Landing of the United Empire Loyalists
October 18 — A Harbour That Built a City
Saint John’s harbour has been central to the city’s development for centuries. Its sheltered waters and access to the Bay of Fundy helped establish the community as a major centre for shipping and trade.
During the nineteenth century, lumber from the Saint John River watershed fuelled a thriving shipbuilding industry. Wooden sailing vessels built locally travelled to ports around the world.
A lasting legacy: The harbour remains one of Saint John’s defining economic and cultural features.
Source: Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 — History of the Port of Saint John
October 19 — Remembering Saint John’s Irish Heritage
The Irish famine of the 1840s brought waves of immigrants to Saint John. Many arrived after difficult Atlantic crossings, and the harbour became an important gateway for newcomers seeking a new life in British North America.
Partridge Island served as a quarantine station for immigrants arriving during periods of infectious disease. Its history reflects both the hardships of migration and the city’s role in welcoming people from overseas.
Remembering the past: Saint John’s Irish heritage remains an important part of the city’s identity, visible in its cultural traditions, institutions and historic neighbourhoods.
Source: Discover Saint John — Immigration History
October 20 — The Great Fire and a City Rebuilt
On June 20, 1877, a devastating fire swept through much of Saint John’s central commercial and residential district. Thousands of residents were left homeless, and businesses, churches, warehouses and homes were destroyed.
The rebuilding effort transformed the city. Brick and stone construction replaced much of the wooden streetscape, helping create the distinctive Victorian architecture that remains visible uptown today.
Look around uptown: Many of the historic commercial buildings in the Trinity Royal area reflect the rebuilding period following the fire.
Source: Visit Saint John — Loyalists, Incorporation and the Great Fire
October 21 — A City With a Long Civic Tradition
Saint John’s municipal story reaches back to its 1785 royal charter, which united the early settlements of Parrtown and Carleton.
Over the following decades, the city developed civic institutions and public services to meet the needs of a growing population. The Saint John Police Force was established in 1849, while earlier milestones included a fire service in 1786 and a municipal water supply associated with Lily Lake in 1837.
These developments helped turn a young settlement into an organized urban community.
Source: City of Saint John — Municipal Milestones
October 22 — The Old Burial Ground: An Open-Air History Book
Located uptown near King Street East and Sydney Street, the Old Burial Ground is one of Saint John’s most significant historic sites.
Its earliest gravestone dates to July 13, 1784, belonging to Connard Hendricks. The cemetery preserves the memory of some of the city’s earliest settlers and provides a tangible connection to the Loyalist period.
For anyone interested in local history, its old gravestones offer a glimpse into the lives, names and stories of an emerging city.
Source: Discover Saint John — Historic Sites and Museums
October 23 — From Shipbuilding to a Modern Port
By the mid-nineteenth century, Saint John had become one of British North America’s leading shipbuilding centres. The timber trade supported shipyards, merchants, dockworkers and a wide range of related businesses.
As transportation and technology changed, the city’s economy evolved. The port continued to connect New Brunswick with international markets, reinforcing Saint John’s long-standing role as a maritime gateway.
A reminder: The city’s industrial past is not simply history in books; it helped shape the streets, waterfront and communities that residents know today.
Source: Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 — History of the Port of Saint John
October 24 — Preserving Our Heritage for Future Generations
Saint John’s historic buildings, public spaces and waterfront tell the story of generations who lived and worked here. From early Loyalist settlement to the rebuilding after the Great Fire, the city’s heritage reflects both hardship and determination.
Historic preservation allows residents and visitors to appreciate how Saint John developed and why its architecture and maritime traditions remain distinctive.
Local history challenge: On your next trip uptown, look closely at the brick façades and historic details around Prince William Street. Many reflect the remarkable rebuilding that followed the fire of 1877.
A Final Thought
Saint John’s history is more than a collection of dates. It is the story of people who crossed oceans, built ships, raised families, developed businesses and rebuilt after disaster.
As we remember the past this October, we also celebrate the community that continues to shape the Port City today.
