This Week in Saint John History

November 7–13, 2026

Looking Back at the People, Places and Events That Shaped the Port City

Saint John, New Brunswick, has a remarkable history. From its Loyalist beginnings and busy shipbuilding industry to its railway connections and historic waterfront, the Port City has played an important role in Canada’s development.

This week, we look back at some important moments in Saint John, New Brunswick and Canadian history.

November 7 – The Railway Era

1885 – Canada’s Transcontinental Railway

The final spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven at Craigellachie, British Columbia.

For Saint John, railway transportation was particularly important. Rail connections helped move goods between the Port of Saint John and markets throughout Canada.

November 8 – Remembering Saint John’s Maritime Heritage

Saint John’s harbour has been central to the city’s history for generations.

During the 19th century, wooden sailing ships, shipyards, merchants and waterfront industries helped establish Saint John as one of Canada’s important maritime centres.

November 9 – A Communications Milestone

1849 – Telegraph communications between Saint John and Halifax

An important communications milestone took place in November 1849.

Historical newspaper reports confirm that the telegraph line connecting Saint John and Halifax was completed, with communications passing through the line for the first time on November 9.

This was an important step forward in communications for merchants, newspapers and the shipping industry.

November 10 – Remembering the Growth of New Brunswick

New Brunswick’s development was closely connected to transportation, forestry, shipbuilding and trade.

Saint John’s waterfront became a gateway for goods and passengers travelling between Atlantic Canada, Europe and other parts of the world.

November 11 – Remembrance Day

Lest We Forget

November 11 marks the anniversary of the Armistice that brought fighting in the First World War to an end in 1918.

We remember the men and women from Saint John and surrounding communities who served Canada in wartime and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Their service and courage must never be forgotten.

November 12 – Saint John’s Historic Neighbourhoods

Saint John’s historic neighbourhoods tell the story of generations of families, businesses and community life.

From the old buildings of Germain Street and King Street to the historic homes of the city’s older districts, the architecture remains an important part of Saint John’s identity.

November 13 – The Port City

Saint John’s location on the Bay of Fundy helped shape its future.

The harbour supported shipbuilding, shipping, fishing, manufacturing and international trade. Today, the port continues to be an important part of the regional economy.

DID YOU KNOW?

Saint John was incorporated by royal charter on May 18, 1785.

It is recognized as Canada’s first incorporated city.

Its Loyalist heritage remains an important part of the city’s identity.

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

“History is not just about dates and old buildings. It is about the people who built our communities, raised their families, served their country and helped make Saint John the city we know today.”

SHARE YOUR MEMORIES

Do you remember old Saint John?

Perhaps you have photographs of the harbour, Market Square, King Street, the old railway station or neighbourhood businesses.

We welcome your memories and stories. They help preserve the history of our community for future generations.

BevNice.ca – NICE To See You

Historical note: Some entries in this weekly feature provide broader Canadian and New Brunswick context rather than claiming a specific Saint John event occurred on that exact date.

 

THIS WEEK IN SAINT JOHN HISTORY

November 1–7, 2026

BevNice.ca | Remembering the people, places and events that shaped the Port City

Saint John has a remarkable history stretching back more than 240 years. From its Loyalist beginnings and thriving shipbuilding industry to its important role in Canadian transportation and commerce, the Port City has helped shape the history of New Brunswick and Canada.

This week, we remember some important November milestones, notable Saint John connections and the people who helped build our community.

November 1 — A Saint John Connection to New Brunswick’s Leadership

1945 — David Laurence MacLaren appointed Lieutenant-Governor

David Laurence MacLaren, of Saint John, was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick on November 1, 1945.

His appointment is one of the Saint John connections recorded in the province’s historical calendar.

Did you know? Saint John has played an important role in provincial politics and public life since New Brunswick became a separate province in 1784.

November 2 — Remembering the Loyalist Winter

1783 — A difficult beginning for early settlers

As Loyalist settlers established new communities in New Brunswick, the arrival of winter brought serious hardships.

Historical records describe settlers at St. Anne’s Point, now Fredericton, facing their first snowfall and freezing temperatures on November 2, 1783. Many were living in small tents without floors and had few provisions.

The experience reflects the difficult conditions faced by many of the Loyalists who settled in the Saint John River region.

November 3 — The Growth of a Maritime Province

1850 — Fredericton receives gas lighting

On November 3, 1850, Fredericton was illuminated by gas lights for the first time.

During this period, Saint John was also developing as an important commercial and industrial centre. Gas lighting and other improvements were part of the technological changes transforming nineteenth-century New Brunswick.

November 4 — Remembering New Brunswick’s Early Settlements

1758 — Grimross settlement destroyed

On November 4, 1758, British forces under Colonel Robert Monckton destroyed the Acadian village of Grimross, near present-day Gagetown.

Approximately 50 buildings and the community’s winter food supplies were destroyed.

This tragic event forms part of the wider history of the Acadian Deportation and the turbulent struggle for control of the region.

November 5 — New Brunswick’s Changing Communities

1969 — Cap-Pelé becomes incorporated

On November 5, 1969, Cap-Pelé became an incorporated village.

Although outside Saint John, this milestone reflects the continuing development of communities throughout New Brunswick during the twentieth century.

November 6 — A Saint John Leader Takes Office

1917 — William Pugsley appointed Lieutenant-Governor

William Pugsley, of Saint John, was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick on November 6, 1917.

Pugsley was a prominent New Brunswick politician who had served as Premier from 1907 to 1908. His appointment marked another occasion when a Saint John figure held the province’s highest vice-regal office.

November 7 — The Railway That Helped Unite Canada

1885 — Completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway

On November 7, 1885, the last spike was driven into the Canadian Pacific Railway at Craigellachie, British Columbia.

The completion of the railway was a defining moment in Canadian history. It strengthened connections between eastern and western Canada and helped transform transportation, trade and settlement.

For Saint John, rail connections were especially important to the city’s development as a major Atlantic port, linking the harbour to markets and communities across the country.

A Final Thought — Saint John’s Enduring Legacy

Saint John’s history is not simply about dates and buildings. It is about the people who crossed oceans, built ships, established businesses, raised families and helped create the community we know today.

From the Loyalists of 1783 to the industrial growth of the nineteenth century, the Port City has continually adapted while preserving its maritime character.

We remember the past because it helps us understand the community we call home.

BevNice.ca — Celebrating Saint John, New Br

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.

THIS WEEK IN SAINT JOHN HISTORY — Oct 3–10
Port City • Since 1604

Oct 2, 1958 — Muriel Corkey Ryan, First Woman QC: Saint John lawyer breaks barrier, appointed first woman Queen’s Counsel in New Brunswick.

Oct 4, 1783 — Loyalists Land: 20,000 Loyalists arrive in Nova Scotia; half settle the Saint John River Valley, founding the city.
Oct 4, 1871 — Cold-Water Soap Patented: Andrew J. Stewart patents his famous cold-water soap formula in Saint John.

Oct 5, 1869 — The Saxby Gale: Devastating hurricane surge obliterates wharves and ships across Bay of Fundy & Saint John Harbour.

Oct 6, 1784 — First Murder Reported: Dr. Samuel Moore records the young city’s first homicide in his ledger.

Oct 7, 1825 — Great Miramichi Fire Ends: North America’s largest wildfire leaves 15,000 homeless; skies dark for days over Saint John.

Sources: GNB This Week in NB History / NB Museum