The CMA includes the neighbouring city of Dieppe and the town of Riverview, as well as adjacent suburban areas in Westmorland and Albert counties. Although the Moncton area was first settled in 1733, Moncton was officially founded in 1766 with the arrival of Pennsylvania Germans immigrants from Philadelphia.
Settlement of the Petitcodiac and Memramcook river valleys began about 1700, gradually extending inland and reaching the site of present-day Moncton in 1733.
The first Acadian settlers in the Moncton area established a marshland farming community and chose to name their settlement Le Coude (The Elbow), an allusion to the 90° bend in the river near the site of the settlement. In 1755, nearby Fort Beausejour was captured by British forces under the command of Lt.
The CMA includes the neighbouring city of Dieppe and the town of Riverview, as well as adjacent suburban areas in Westmorland and Albert counties. Although the Moncton area was first settled in 1733, Moncton was officially founded in 1766 with the arrival of Pennsylvania Germans immigrants from Philadelphia.
This action came to be known as the "Great Upheaval". The reaches of the upper Petitcodiac River valley then came under the control of the Philadelphia Land Company (one of the principals of which was Benjamin Franklin.) In 1766, Pennsylvania German settlers arrived to re-establish the pre-existing farming community at Le Coude.
The Treitz Haus is located on the riverfront adjacent to Bore View Park and has been dated to 1769 both by architectural style and by dendrochronology.
The Free Meeting House was built in 1821 and is a New England-style meeting house located adjacent to the Moncton Museum.
Even by 1836, there were only 20 households in the community.
Over the next decade, lumbering and then shipbuilding would become important industries in the area. The turning point for the community was when Joseph Salter took over (and expanded) a shipyard at the Bend in 1847.
Initially an agricultural settlement, Moncton was not incorporated until 1855.
A significant wooden shipbuilding industry had developed in the community by the mid-1840s, allowing for the civic incorporation in 1855.
The prosperity engendered by the wooden shipbuilding industry allowed The Bend to incorporate as the town of Moncton in 1855.
The first mayor of Moncton was the shipbuilder Joseph Salter. Two years later, in 1857, the European and North American Railway opened its line from Moncton to nearby Shediac.
The Salter shipyard closed in 1858.
This was followed by a line from Moncton to Saint John opening in 1859.
However, the shipbuilding economy collapsed in the 1860s, causing the town to lose its civic charter in 1862.
In 1871, the Intercolonial Railway of Canada had chosen Moncton as its headquarters, and Moncton remained a railway town for well over a century until the closure of the Canadian National Railway (CNR) locomotive shops in the late 1980s. Although the economy of Moncton was traumatized twice—by the collapse of the shipbuilding industry in the 1860s and by the closure of the CNR locomotive shops in the 1980s—the city was able to rebound strongly on both occasions.
However, the shipbuilding economy collapsed in the 1860s, causing the town to lose its civic charter in 1862.
The resulting industrial collapse caused Moncton to surrender its civic charter in 1862. Moncton's economic depression did not last long and a second era of prosperity came to the area in 1871 when Moncton was selected to be the headquarters of the Intercolonial Railway of Canada (ICR).
In 1871, the Intercolonial Railway of Canada had chosen Moncton as its headquarters, and Moncton remained a railway town for well over a century until the closure of the Canadian National Railway (CNR) locomotive shops in the late 1980s. Although the economy of Moncton was traumatized twice—by the collapse of the shipbuilding industry in the 1860s and by the closure of the CNR locomotive shops in the 1980s—the city was able to rebound strongly on both occasions.
The resulting industrial collapse caused Moncton to surrender its civic charter in 1862. Moncton's economic depression did not last long and a second era of prosperity came to the area in 1871 when Moncton was selected to be the headquarters of the Intercolonial Railway of Canada (ICR).
Moncton regained its charter in 1875 after the community's economy rebounded, mainly due to a growing railway industry.
In 1875, Moncton was able to reincorporate as a town and one year later, the ICR line to Quebec was opened.
The Thomas Williams House, a former home of a city industrialist built in 1883, is now maintained in period style and serves as a genealogical research centre and is also home to several multicultural organizations.
The railway boom that emanated from this and the associated employment growth allowed Moncton to achieve city status on April 23, 1890. Moncton grew rapidly during the early 20th century, particularly after provincial lobbying helped the city become the eastern terminus of the massive National Transcontinental Railway project in 1912.
The railway boom that emanated from this and the associated employment growth allowed Moncton to achieve city status on April 23, 1890. Moncton grew rapidly during the early 20th century, particularly after provincial lobbying helped the city become the eastern terminus of the massive National Transcontinental Railway project in 1912.
In 1918, the ICR and National Transcontinental Railway (NTR) were merged by the federal government into the newly formed Canadian National Railways (CNR) system.
Eaton Company's catalogue warehouse moved to the city in the early 1920s, employing over 700 people.
A $90 million casino/hotel/entertainment complex opened at Magnetic Hill in 2010. ==Culture== Moncton's Capitol Theatre, an 800-seat restored 1920s-era vaudeville house on Main Street, is the main centre for cultural entertainment for the city.
The first scheduled air service out of Moncton was established in 1928.
The stormiest weather of the year, with the greatest precipitation and the strongest winds, usually occurs during the fall/winter transition (November to mid-January). The highest temperature ever recorded in Moncton was on August 18 & 19, 1935.
In 1940, a large military supply base (later known as CFB Moncton) was constructed on a railway spur line north of downtown next to the CNR shops.
A naval listening station was also constructed in Coverdale (Riverview) in 1941 to help in coordinating radar activities in the North Atlantic.
The coldest temperature ever recorded was on February 5, 1948. ==Cityscape== Moncton generally remains a "low rise" city.
The CNR continued to dominate the economy of the city with railway employment in Moncton peaked at nearly six thousand workers in the 1950s before beginning a slow decline. Moncton was placed on the Trans-Canada Highway network in the early 1960s after Route 2 was built along the northern perimeter of the city.
The CNR continued to dominate the economy of the city with railway employment in Moncton peaked at nearly six thousand workers in the 1950s before beginning a slow decline. Moncton was placed on the Trans-Canada Highway network in the early 1960s after Route 2 was built along the northern perimeter of the city.
Unsurprisingly, the "bore" became a very popular early tourist attraction for the city, but when the Petitcodiac causeway was built in the 1960s, the river channel quickly silted in and reduced the bore so that it rarely exceeds in height.
The tidal bore was the first phenomenon to become an attraction but the construction of the Petitcodiac causeway in the 1960s effectively extirpated the attraction.
The Université de Moncton was founded in 1963.
Moncton lies at the original head of navigation on the river, however a causeway to Riverview (constructed in 1968) resulted in extensive sedimentation of the river channel downstream and rendered the Moncton area of the waterway unnavigable.
This institution became an important resource in the development of Acadian culture in the area. The late 1970s and the 1980s were a period of economic hardship for the city as several major employers closed or restructured.
Although the presence of the CNR in Moncton has diminished greatly since the 1970s, the railway still maintains a large classification yard and intermodal facility in the west end of the city, and the regional headquarters for Atlantic Canada is still located here as well.
The most dominant structure in the city is the Bell Aliant Tower, a microwave communications tower built in 1971.
Military flight training in the Moncton area terminated at the end of World War II and the naval listening station closed in 1971.
It is the only surviving building from the Pennsylvania Dutch era and is the oldest surviving building in the province of New Brunswick. In film production, the city has since 1974 been home to the National Film Board of Canada's French-language Studio Acadie. Moncton is home to the Frye Festival, an annual bilingual literary celebration held in honour of world-renowned literary critic and favourite son Northrop Frye.
Historically, Moncton also was home to a professional American Hockey League franchise from 1978 to 1994.
In 1871, the Intercolonial Railway of Canada had chosen Moncton as its headquarters, and Moncton remained a railway town for well over a century until the closure of the Canadian National Railway (CNR) locomotive shops in the late 1980s. Although the economy of Moncton was traumatized twice—by the collapse of the shipbuilding industry in the 1860s and by the closure of the CNR locomotive shops in the 1980s—the city was able to rebound strongly on both occasions.
This institution became an important resource in the development of Acadian culture in the area. The late 1970s and the 1980s were a period of economic hardship for the city as several major employers closed or restructured.
The New Brunswick Hawks won the AHL Calder Cup by defeating the Binghamton Whalers in 1981–1982.
The Eatons catalogue division, CNR's locomotive shops facility and CFB Moncton were closed during this time throwing thousands of citizens out of work. The city diversified in the early 1990s with the rise of information technology, led by call centres which made use of the city's bilingual workforce.
By the late 1990s, retail, manufacturing and service expansion began to occur in all sectors and within a decade of the closure of the CNR locomotive shops Moncton had more than made up for its employment losses.
This dramatic turnaround in the fortunes of the city has been termed the "Moncton Miracle". The growth of the community has continued unabated since the 1990s and has actually been accelerating.
CFB Moncton remained open to supply the maritime military establishment until just after the end of the Cold War. With the closure of CFB Moncton in the early 1990s, the military presence in Moncton has been significantly reduced.
Historically, Moncton also was home to a professional American Hockey League franchise from 1978 to 1994.
Positive developments include the Atlantic Baptist University (later renamed Crandall University) achieving full university status and relocating to a new campus in 1996, the Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport opening a new terminal building and becoming a designated international airport in 2002, and the opening of the new Gunningsville Bridge to Riverview in 2005.
The confidence of the community has been bolstered by its ability to host major events such as the Francophonie Summit in 1999, a Rolling Stones concert in 2005, the Memorial Cup in 2006 and both the IAAF World Junior Championships in Athletics and a neutral site regular season CFL football game in 2010.
Positive developments include the Atlantic Baptist University (later renamed Crandall University) achieving full university status and relocating to a new campus in 1996, the Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport opening a new terminal building and becoming a designated international airport in 2002, and the opening of the new Gunningsville Bridge to Riverview in 2005.
In 2002, Moncton became Canada's first officially bilingual city.
Moncton became the first officially bilingual city in the country in 2002.
A new airport terminal with an international arrivals area was opened in 2002 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
In 2004 Canadian Business Magazine named it "The best city for business in Canada", and in 2007 FDi magazine named it the fifth most business-friendly small-sized city in North America. A number of nationally or regionally prominent corporations have their head offices in Moncton including Atlantic Lottery Corporation, Assumption Life Insurance, Medavie Blue Cross Insurance, Armour Transportation Systems and Major Drilling Group International.
The confidence of the community has been bolstered by its ability to host major events such as the Francophonie Summit in 1999, a Rolling Stones concert in 2005, the Memorial Cup in 2006 and both the IAAF World Junior Championships in Athletics and a neutral site regular season CFL football game in 2010.
Positive developments include the Atlantic Baptist University (later renamed Crandall University) achieving full university status and relocating to a new campus in 1996, the Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport opening a new terminal building and becoming a designated international airport in 2002, and the opening of the new Gunningsville Bridge to Riverview in 2005.
All three industrial parks also have large concentrations of warehousing and regional trucking facilities. A new four-lane Gunningsville Bridge was opened in 2005, connecting downtown Riverview directly with downtown Moncton.
The confidence of the community has been bolstered by its ability to host major events such as the Francophonie Summit in 1999, a Rolling Stones concert in 2005, the Memorial Cup in 2006 and both the IAAF World Junior Championships in Athletics and a neutral site regular season CFL football game in 2010.
In the 2006 census, Moncton was designated a Census Metropolitan Area and became the largest metropolitan area in the province of New Brunswick. ==Geography== Moncton lies in southeastern New Brunswick, at the geographic centre of the Maritime Provinces.
This has become already evident as an expansion to the Blue Cross Centre was completed in 2006 and a Marriott Residence Inn opened in 2008.
They won the President's Cup, the QMJHL championship in both 2006 and 2010.
The Moncton Mets played baseball in the New Brunswick Senior Baseball League and won the Canadian Senior Baseball Championship in 2006.
The 2006 Memorial Cup was held in Moncton with the hometown Moncton Wildcats losing in the championship final to rival Quebec Remparts.
In 2004 Canadian Business Magazine named it "The best city for business in Canada", and in 2007 FDi magazine named it the fifth most business-friendly small-sized city in North America. A number of nationally or regionally prominent corporations have their head offices in Moncton including Atlantic Lottery Corporation, Assumption Life Insurance, Medavie Blue Cross Insurance, Armour Transportation Systems and Major Drilling Group International.
Molson/Coors opened a brewery in the Caledonia Industrial Park in 2007, its first new brewery in over fifty years.
Moncton hosted the Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS) Men's University Hockey Championship in 2007 and 2008.
This has become already evident as an expansion to the Blue Cross Centre was completed in 2006 and a Marriott Residence Inn opened in 2008.
Moncton hosted the Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS) Men's University Hockey Championship in 2007 and 2008.
Other public sporting and recreational facilities are scattered throughout the metropolitan area, including a new $18 million aquatic centre in Dieppe opened in 2009. ===Sports teams=== The Moncton Wildcats play major junior hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
The World Men's Curling Championship was held in Moncton in 2009; the second time this event has taken place in the city. Moncton also hosted the 2010 IAAF World Junior Championships in Athletics.
A$48 million expansion to the hospital was completed in 2009 and contains a new laboratory, ambulatory care centre, and provincial level one trauma centre.
The confidence of the community has been bolstered by its ability to host major events such as the Francophonie Summit in 1999, a Rolling Stones concert in 2005, the Memorial Cup in 2006 and both the IAAF World Junior Championships in Athletics and a neutral site regular season CFL football game in 2010.
On April 14, 2010, the causeway gates were opened in an effort to restore the silt-laden river. ===Tidal bore=== The Petitcodiac River exhibits one of North America's few tidal bores: a regularly occurring wave that travels up the river on the leading edge of the incoming tide.
On April 14, 2010, the causeway gates were opened in an effort to restore the silt-laden river.
A $90 million casino/hotel/entertainment complex opened at Magnetic Hill in 2010. ==Culture== Moncton's Capitol Theatre, an 800-seat restored 1920s-era vaudeville house on Main Street, is the main centre for cultural entertainment for the city.
The new Moncton Stadium, also located at the U de M campus was built for the 2010 IAAF World Junior Track & Field Championships.
They won the President's Cup, the QMJHL championship in both 2006 and 2010.
The World Men's Curling Championship was held in Moncton in 2009; the second time this event has taken place in the city. Moncton also hosted the 2010 IAAF World Junior Championships in Athletics.
The construction of this new stadium led directly to Moncton being awarded a regular season neutral site CFL game between the Toronto Argonauts and the Edmonton Eskimos, which was held on September 26, 2010.
The new regional law courts on Assumption Blvd opened in 2011.
In 2011, the Moncton Miracles began play as one of the seven charter franchises of the professional National Basketball League of Canada.
France Daigle, another acclaimed Acadian novelist and playwright, was born and resides in Moncton, and is noted for her pioneering use of chiac in Acadian literature, was the recipient of the 2012 Governor General's Literary Prize in French Fiction, for her novel Pour Sûr (translated into English as "For Sure").
In 2013, the last regular forces units left the Moncton base, but the reserve units remain active and Moncton remains the 37 Canadian Brigade Unit headquarters. ==Infrastructure== ===Health facilities=== There are two major regional referral and teaching hospitals in Moncton.
Kent Building Supplies (an Irving subsidiary) opened their main distribution centre in the Caledonia Industrial Park in 2014.
A new oncology clinic was built at the hospital and opened in late 2014.
In 2015, the Moncton Fisher Cats began play in the New Brunswick Senior Baseball League.
The town of Riverview meanwhile is heavily (95%) Anglophone. As of 2016, approximately 87.6% of Moncton's residents were European, while 7.4% were ethnic minorities and 5% were aboriginal.
The largest ethnic minority groups in Moncton were Black (2.6%), Arab (1.3%), Chinese (0.9%), and Korean, Southeast Asian, South Asian and Filipino (0.5% each). The Moncton census metropolitan area (CMA) had a population of 144,810 in 2016, ranking it as the 29th largest CMA in Canada. ==Economy== The underpinnings of the local economy are based on Moncton's heritage as a commercial, distribution, transportation, and retailing centre.
The franchise failed at the end of the 2016/17 season, to be immediately replaced by a new NBL franchise, the Moncton Magic, who played their inaugural season in 2017/18.
It was renamed for former Canadian Governor-General (and native son) Roméo LeBlanc in 2016.
Historically there has been a longstanding presence of a Moncton-based team in the Maritime Junior A Hockey League, but the Dieppe Commandos (formerly known as the Moncton Beavers) relocated to Edmundston at the end of the 2017 season.
The franchise failed at the end of the 2016/17 season, to be immediately replaced by a new NBL franchise, the Moncton Magic, who played their inaugural season in 2017/18.
TD Bank announced in 2018 a new banking services centre to be located in Moncton which will employ over 1,000 people (including a previously announced customer contact centre). Several arms of the Irving corporation have their head offices and/or major operations in greater Moncton.
A new 8,800 seat downtown arena (the Avenir Centre) recently opened in September 2018.
It has since been closed after 17 years of existence due to safety concerns in May 2018.
All text is taken from Wikipedia. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License .
Page generated on 2021-08-05