This article is about the community. For the civil parish, former local service district, and rural census subdivision, see Dorchester Parish, New Brunswick.
It is located on the eastern side of the mouth of the lush Memramcook River valley near the river's discharge point into Shepody Bay. Dorchester is an English-speaking community but it is adjacent to French-speaking Acadian areas farther up the Memramcook River valley.
The shire town of the county, Dorchester has several fine historic homes and civic buildings most of which were built by local lawyer and Master Builder, John Francis Teed. During the 19th century, Dorchester and neighbouring Dorchester Island were important shipbuilding centres. Numerous master mariners also lived in Dorchester and vicinity during the Golden Age of Sail. Prior to rail service, it was a centre for the stagecoach, as well as a busy ship port. The community was transformed with the construction in 1872 of the Intercolonial Railway between Halifax and Rivière-du-Loup. In 1911, the village founded the Dorchester Light and Fire Company which is now known as the Dorchester Volunteer Fire Department. In 1965, the village courthouse was destroyed by arson. Many in the community came to the town square to watch the building burn. The only thing left of the courthouse was the safe. It is now used in the village hall where the courthouse once stood. The courthouse was never rebuilt, and much of the economy behind it left the community.
Dorchester was home to Edward Barron Chandler, a father of confederation and his family who built their home, Chandler House, commonly referred to as Rocklynn which is now a nationally recognized historic property.
Premier Louis Robichaud's government during the 1960s created an industrial park and deepwater loading pier at nearby Dorchester Cape as part of a regional economic development program. Envisioned to be used by the petro-chemical industry, the government constructed a new road and railway spur along with an electrical substation and the pier as well as a building that was envisioned to be used as a fertilizer plant. The industrial park had no tenants and the pier sitting in the Memramcook River was quickly silted in by mud from the tides of the Bay of Fundy. Today all that remains are the roads and the railbed as well as some broken street lights, a deteriorating sea wall and the empty shell of the abandoned fertilizer plant.[citation needed]
In 1998, the Dorchester Jail was also closed. It is currently a fitness gym and a bed and breakfast.
On 1 January 2023, Dorchester amalgamated with the town of Sackville and parts of three local service districts to form the new town of Tantramar.[2][3] The community's name remains in official use.[4]
DemographicsEdit
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Dorchester had a population of 906 living in 207 of its 221 total private dwellings, a change of -17.3% from its 2016 population of 1,096. With a land area of 5.71 km2 (2.20 sq mi), it had a population density of 158.7/km2 (411.0/sq mi) in 2021.[1]
The village's main employer today is the Correctional Service of Canada, which operates a prison complex now comprising the medium-security (once maximum-security) Dorchester Penitentiary, and the minimum-security Westmorland Institution.
A recent influx of residents is creating a new demand for Dorchester.
Tourism is centred on the historic and natural features of the area. One of Dorchester's most historic buildings houses the Keillor House Museum. The annual shorebird migration to the mud flats of nearby Johnson's Mills is celebrated by an oversize model of a semi-palmated sandpiper situated in the village square.
Another tourist attraction is the conversion of the Dorchester Jail to a successful bed and breakfast where you can spend a night in a real jail cell. Opened in 2017, it’s one of the Maritimes highest rated adventure Airbnb’s listed. It’s the sight of the last double hanging in New Brunswick, where the Bannister brothers were hanged and buried at the jail.
John F. Hickman - Canadian soldier, victim of the 1919 Kinmel Park riots in Wales after World War I. His parents lived in Dorchester and he is buried at Dorchester Rural Cemetery.[8]
Edward Barron Chandler - Father of Confederation. His family home, Chandler House, commonly referred to as Rocklynn, was later inhabited by the Teed Family.
John Francis Teed - architect, lawyer and Master Builder, a "third-generation Loyalist [who] was one of Dorchester, New Brunswick's most celebrated master builders. Teed's reputation was sealed with the construction of Mount Allison University's Centennial College Hall (1884) and Owens Art Gallery (1895). In 1895, he supervised the expansion of St. Francis Xavier University's Xavier Hall with the addition of a new two-storey west wing.[9] " He is an ancestor of the Teeds of Saint John.
Douglas How (1919–2001) - journalist, magazine editor, and author.
Sir Pierre-Amand Landry (1846–1916) - Acadian lawyer, judge and political figure.
Sir Albert James Smith (1822–1883) - politician and opponent of Canadian confederation.
Dorchester is home to the world's largest sandpiper.
The Bell Inn Restaurant is one of New Brunswick's oldest surviving stone buildings, built sometime between 1811 and 1821.[10] It is also in the book of Where To Eat In Canada.
The Dorchester Jail was the location of the last double hanging in New Brunswick, September 1936
ReferencesEdit
^ abc"Census Profile of Dorchester". Statistics Canada. 6 December 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
^"Local Governments Establishment Regulation – Local Governance Act". Government of New Brunswick. 12 October 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
^"RSC 7 Southeast Regional Service Commission". Government of New Brunswick. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
^"Proposed entity names reflect strong ties to nature and history" (Press release). Irishtown, New Brunswick: Government of New Brunswick. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
^"Antigonish and its Architects and Builders". people.stfx.ca. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
^"Bell Inn". HistoricPlaces.ca. Parks Canada. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
Further readingEdit
One Village, One War, 1914-1945: A Thinking About the Literature of Stone, by Douglas Howe, Hantsport: Lancelot Press (1995). The story of Dorchester residents who served Canada in World Wars I and II.
Dorchester Island and Related Areas, by Reginald B. Bowser, 1986.
External linksEdit
Village of Dorchester official website
October 12, 2023
dorchester, brunswick, this, article, about, community, civil, parish, former, local, service, district, rural, census, subdivision, dorchester, parish, brunswick, dorchester, former, village, westmorland, county, brunswick, canada, held, village, status, prio. This article is about the community For the civil parish former local service district and rural census subdivision see Dorchester Parish New Brunswick Dorchester is a former village in Westmorland County New Brunswick Canada It held village status prior to 2023 and is now part of the town of Tantramar It is named for Guy Carleton 1st Baron Dorchester an 18th century Governor General of the old Province of Quebec DorchesterThe old Bell Inn in Dorchester New Brunswick was an inn between 1820 and 1860 DorchesterLocation of Dorchester New BrunswickCoordinates 45 54 5 6 N 64 30 57 9 W 45 901556 N 64 516083 W 45 901556 64 516083CountryCanadaProvinceNew BrunswickCountyWestmorlandParishDorchester ParishTownTantramarArea 1 Land5 71 km2 2 20 sq mi Population 2021 1 Total906 Density158 7 km2 411 sq mi Change2016 2117 3 Time zoneUTC 4 Atlantic Summer DST UTC 3 Atlantic Area codeArea code 506Dwellings221Websitehttp www dorchester ca It is located on the eastern side of the mouth of the lush Memramcook River valley near the river s discharge point into Shepody Bay Dorchester is an English speaking community but it is adjacent to French speaking Acadian areas farther up the Memramcook River valley Contents 1 History 2 Demographics 3 Economy 4 Transportation 5 Notable people 6 See also 7 Trivia 8 References 9 Further reading 10 External linksHistory EditSee also History of New Brunswick and List of historic places in Westmorland County New Brunswick The shire town of the county Dorchester has several fine historic homes and civic buildings most of which were built by local lawyer and Master Builder John Francis Teed During the 19th century Dorchester and neighbouring Dorchester Island were important shipbuilding centres Numerous master mariners also lived in Dorchester and vicinity during the Golden Age of Sail Prior to rail service it was a centre for the stagecoach as well as a busy ship port The community was transformed with the construction in 1872 of the Intercolonial Railway between Halifax and Riviere du Loup In 1911 the village founded the Dorchester Light and Fire Company which is now known as the Dorchester Volunteer Fire Department In 1965 the village courthouse was destroyed by arson Many in the community came to the town square to watch the building burn The only thing left of the courthouse was the safe It is now used in the village hall where the courthouse once stood The courthouse was never rebuilt and much of the economy behind it left the community Dorchester was home to Edward Barron Chandler a father of confederation and his family who built their home Chandler House commonly referred to as Rocklynn which is now a nationally recognized historic property Premier Louis Robichaud s government during the 1960s created an industrial park and deepwater loading pier at nearby Dorchester Cape as part of a regional economic development program Envisioned to be used by the petro chemical industry the government constructed a new road and railway spur along with an electrical substation and the pier as well as a building that was envisioned to be used as a fertilizer plant The industrial park had no tenants and the pier sitting in the Memramcook River was quickly silted in by mud from the tides of the Bay of Fundy Today all that remains are the roads and the railbed as well as some broken street lights a deteriorating sea wall and the empty shell of the abandoned fertilizer plant citation needed In 1998 the Dorchester Jail was also closed It is currently a fitness gym and a bed and breakfast On 1 January 2023 Dorchester amalgamated with the town of Sackville and parts of three local service districts to form the new town of Tantramar 2 3 The community s name remains in official use 4 Demographics EditIn the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada Dorchester had a population of 906 living in 207 of its 221 total private dwellings a change of 17 3 from its 2016 population of 1 096 With a land area of 5 71 km2 2 20 sq mi it had a population density of 158 7 km2 411 0 sq mi in 2021 1 Population trend 5 6 7 Census Population Change 2021 906 nbsp 17 3 2016 1 096 nbsp 6 1 2011 1 167 nbsp 4 3 2006 1 119 nbsp 17 3 2001 954 nbsp 19 1 1996 1 179 nbsp 39 0 1991 848 nbsp 41 3 1986 1 198 nbsp 8 8 1981 1 101 N A Income 2015 7 Income type By CADMedian Total income per capita 28 501Median Household Income 49 280Median Family Income 59 392 Mother tongue 2016 7 Language Population Pct English 390 90 7 French 35 8 1 Other languages 5 1 2 English and French 0 0 Economy EditThe village s main employer today is the Correctional Service of Canada which operates a prison complex now comprising the medium security once maximum security Dorchester Penitentiary and the minimum security Westmorland Institution Many residents commute to work in the nearby towns of Sackville and Amherst or the cities of Moncton and Dieppe A recent influx of residents is creating a new demand for Dorchester Tourism is centred on the historic and natural features of the area One of Dorchester s most historic buildings houses the Keillor House Museum The annual shorebird migration to the mud flats of nearby Johnson s Mills is celebrated by an oversize model of a semi palmated sandpiper situated in the village square Another tourist attraction is the conversion of the Dorchester Jail to a successful bed and breakfast where you can spend a night in a real jail cell Opened in 2017 it s one of the Maritimes highest rated adventure Airbnb s listed It s the sight of the last double hanging in New Brunswick where the Bannister brothers were hanged and buried at the jail Transportation EditAlthough situated on the CN Rail main line between Halifax and Montreal Dorchester no longer has a passenger station with travellers having to entrain detrain in Sackville or Moncton The nearest airport is the Greater Moncton International Airport a 40 km drive in Dieppe Notable people EditMain article List of people from Westmorland County New Brunswick William Henry Snyder Nickerson Dorchester born winner of the Victoria Cross for actions performed during the Second Boer War John F Hickman Canadian soldier victim of the 1919 Kinmel Park riots in Wales after World War I His parents lived in Dorchester and he is buried at Dorchester Rural Cemetery 8 Edward Barron Chandler Father of Confederation His family home Chandler House commonly referred to as Rocklynn was later inhabited by the Teed Family John Francis Teed architect lawyer and Master Builder a third generation Loyalist who was one of Dorchester New Brunswick s most celebrated master builders Teed s reputation was sealed with the construction of Mount Allison University s Centennial College Hall 1884 and Owens Art Gallery 1895 In 1895 he supervised the expansion of St Francis Xavier University s Xavier Hall with the addition of a new two storey west wing 9 He is an ancestor of the Teeds of Saint John Douglas How 1919 2001 journalist magazine editor and author Sir Pierre Amand Landry 1846 1916 Acadian lawyer judge and political figure Sir Albert James Smith 1822 1883 politician and opponent of Canadian confederation Forbes Kennedy 1935 Hockey player who last played for the Toronto Maple Leafs See also EditList of communities in New Brunswick Greater Moncton New Brunswick Greater Shediac New BrunswickTrivia EditDorchester appears fictionalized in Douglas How s humorous book Blow Up the Trumpet in the New Moon 1993 The song Dorchester by Matt Minglewood is about the Dorchester Penitentiary Dorchester is home to the world s largest sandpiper The Bell Inn Restaurant is one of New Brunswick s oldest surviving stone buildings built sometime between 1811 and 1821 10 It is also in the book of Where To Eat In Canada The Dorchester Jail was the location of the last double hanging in New Brunswick September 1936References Edit a b c Census Profile of Dorchester Statistics Canada 6 December 2022 Retrieved 15 January 2023 Local Governments Establishment Regulation Local Governance Act Government of New Brunswick 12 October 2022 Retrieved 20 January 2023 RSC 7 Southeast Regional Service Commission Government of New Brunswick Retrieved 20 January 2023 Proposed entity names reflect strong ties to nature and history Press release Irishtown New Brunswick Government of New Brunswick 25 May 2022 Retrieved 20 January 2023 Statistics Canada 1996 2001 2006 census 2011 Census Profile Dorchester New Brunswick Statistics Canada Retrieved October 4 2019 a b c Census Profile 2016 Census Dorchester Village Census subdivision New Brunswick Statistics Canada Retrieved October 4 2019 1 CWGC Casualty record Antigonish and its Architects and Builders people stfx ca Retrieved 21 April 2018 Bell Inn HistoricPlaces ca Parks Canada Retrieved October 4 2019 Further reading EditOne Village One War 1914 1945 A Thinking About the Literature of Stone by Douglas Howe Hantsport Lancelot Press 1995 The story of Dorchester residents who served Canada in World Wars I and II Dorchester Island and Related Areas by Reginald B Bowser 1986 External links EditVillage of Dorchester official website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Dorchester New Brunswick amp oldid 1155818787, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
