Moncton, incorporated as a city in 1890, is New Brunswick’s largest city, nestled along the Petitcodiac River in eastern New Brunswick. The Greater Moncton region comprises the rapidly expanding city of Dieppe and the town of Riverview. Moncton’s motto, “Resurgo,” is Latin for “I rise again.”
Initially settled by Acadians at a location called “Le Coude” or “the elbow,” the first settlers were later deported in 1755. In 1766, German settlers from Pennsylvania arrived and named their community “The Bend.” The current name, coined in the 1860s, honors Robert Monckton, a British commander who served as the lieutenant-governor of Nova Scotia during the deportations. Today, nearly one-third of the population speaks French as their first language, with the rest being predominantly English-speaking.
Moncton’s early prosperity hinged on shipbuilding, with the establishment of a shipyard by George and Joseph Salter in 1849 serving as a turning point. By 1850, shipping trade had become so significant that Moncton was declared a port of entry.
Incorporated as a town in 1855, with Joseph Salter as its first mayor, Moncton soon saw the opening of its first bank, the Westmorland Bank. The decline of wooden ships brought disaster to Moncton, resulting in the bank’s collapse and the loss of its incorporated town status in 1862. However, the arrival of the railway, particularly after the Confederation, led to Moncton’s resurgence as a railway center and its reincorporation as a town in 1875.
Often referred to as “The Hub of the Maritimes,” Moncton is a critical junction for railway lines, road, and air transportation. This strategic location has made it a regional center and a major distribution and telecommunications hub for Atlantic Canada. A stable, bilingual white-collar workforce and NBTel’s fiber optic expertise have transformed Moncton into a national telemarketing and telephone services center. CN, one of the city’s largest non-government employers, has been crucial to Moncton’s prosperity.
Although CN employed as many as 6,000 workers at its height, that number has dwindled significantly since the repair shops closed in 1986 and were demolished in 1988. The remaining 200 jobs are primarily administrative, clerical, and technical roles at the Hump Yard on the city’s western edge. The former CN lands, now decontaminated and redeveloped, feature a technology park and sports facilities such as playing fields and an arena complex, showcasing a shift toward a post-industrial economy. Moncton’s regional economic base continues to diversify, in part due to the presence of post-secondary institutions and technical schools.
In 2002, Moncton became the first officially bilingual Canadian city. It is home to the French-language Université de Moncton, established in 1963, and Crandall University, formerly Atlantic Baptist University. Université de Moncton also houses the world’s first common law school teaching in French. A campus of New Brunswick Community College is also located in the city.
Cultural venues include the restored 1922 Capitol Theatre, which hosts performances from Theatre New Brunswick, Symphony New Brunswick, and Théâtre populaire d’Acadie, as well as the Aberdeen Cultural Centre and Théâtre L’Escaouette’s facilities. The Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada, a professional touring company, is based in Moncton.
Moncton hosts various festivals, such as the Festival International du Cinéma Francophone en Acadie (in collaboration with neighboring Dieppe), FrancoFête en Acadie (celebrating the arts), and the Northrop Frye International Literary Festival.
The Acadian Museum, situated at the University of Moncton, showcases a collection of artifacts dating back to 1604, including a book authored by Samuel de Champlain. The Moncton Museum traces the city’s history to its origins as the western endpoint of a Mi’kmaq portage along the Northumberland Strait.
Buildings of historic importance include the Free Meeting House (1821) and Thomas Williams House (1883).
Notable sites in Moncton include Magnetic Hill, where cars seem to roll uphill, and the tidal bore, a small wave that flows upstream on the Petitcodiac River twice daily, signaling the arrival of the Bay of Fundy’s tides, which are the highest in the world.
Moncton has been home to four premiers: Bernard Lord, Allison Dysart, James Murray and Clifford Robinson. Other noteable Monctonians include Lieutenant-Governor Gilbert Finn, Judge Ivan Rand and photographer Raymonde April.
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Just wondering if you have a photo of Elmwood School that was in Moncton in 1965 as well as its principal Earl Dunfield. I have been searching for years and find it odd that there doesn’t seem to be any photos of it. You would think even its demolition would have made it into the local newspaper. Thank you.