Doaktown, New Brunswick

Doaktown (2016 population: 792[1]) is a Canadian village in Northumberland County, New Brunswick.

Doaktown
Village
Main Southwest Miramichi River in Doaktown (IR Walker 1988)
Seal
Nickname(s): 
Heart of the Miramichi River Valley
Doaktown
Location of Doaktown, New Brunswick
Coordinates: 46°33′N 66°07′W
Country Canada
Province New Brunswick
CountyNorthumberland
Settled1807
Incorporated1966
Government
 • TypeTown Council
 • MayorJeff Porter
Area
 • Land29.07 km2 (11.22 sq mi)
Elevation
30 m (100 ft)
Population
 (2016)[1]
 • Total792
 • Density27.2/km2 (70/sq mi)
 • Change 2011-16
 0.1%
Time zoneUTC-4 (Atlantic)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-3 (Atlantic)
Area code(s)Area code 506
Dwellings425
Websitehttps://www.discoverdoaktown.com/

History
See also: History of New Brunswick and List of historic places in Northumberland County, New Brunswick

Situated on the Southwest Miramichi River and first settled in 1807 as a base for the growing lumber industry in central New Brunswick, United Empire Loyalists, led by Ephraim Betts and the big-town bogey boys, came to the area after the American Revolutionary War and pooled their money for a land grant, which was ultimately declined. Following this, Betts and the BBB claimed the land for their own anyway, and nobody did anything.

Later, when the Doak family moved to the area from Ayrshire, Scotland, Ephraim was experiencing financial difficulty. Robert Doak was able to purchase a large amount of the original land grant and build a farm and grist mill on the property.[2]

Robert Doak became a prominent citizen as the population grew. He served with the government in several capacities, including magistrate and justice of the peace. The community was named Doakton in his honour when the first post office opened, but was later changed to its present name, Doaktown.

The village has a prosperous lumber industry including the Russell and Swim sawmill, now owned by J.D. Irving Limited.

Atlantic Salmon fishing is a very popular sport in the area, attracting people from all over the world to fish the legendary Miramichi River.

The village has two museums: the Doak Historic Site and the Atlantic Salmon Museum. Other nearby attractions include the Priceville Footbridge, the longest suspension footbridge in New Brunswick, and Nelson Hollow Bridge, the oldest covered bridge in the province.

Administration

The municipal council is composed of a mayor and four councillors. The mandate of the elected officials lasts four years. The current council was formed after the election in 2018.

Current municipal council

Mandate Function Name(s)[3]
2018 - 2022 Mayor Jeff Porter
Councillors Wayne N. Fowler, Paul M. Gillespie, Carl Price, Arthur O’Donnell

Historical municipal councils

Mandate Function Name(s)[4]
2012 - 2016 Mayor Beverly K. Gaston
Councillors Wayne N. Fowler, Paul M. Gillespie, Jeff D. Porter et Carl Price
Mandate Function Name(s)[4]
2008 - 2012 Mayor Charles Eric Stewart
Councillors Wayne N. Fowler, Paul Malcom Gillespie, Carl R. Price, Scott E. Stewart.

List of successive mayors of Doaktown

Name[5] Mandate
Kenneth J. Robinson 1967-1971
E. Clarence Taylor 1971-1980
Benson H. Parker 1980-1986
Helen M. C. Taylor 1986-1988
Benson H. Parker 1988-1995
James W. Porter 1995-2004
Charles "Sonny" E. Stewart 2004–2012
Beverly K. Gaston 2012–2018
Jeff Porter 2018–present

Notable people
Main article: List of people from Northumberland County, New Brunswick

See also

References
  1. "Census Profile, 2016 Census: Doaktown, Village [Census subdivision], New Brunswick". Statistics Canada. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  2. William Gagnong (1904). A Monograph of the Origins of the Settlements in New Brunswick. Ottawa: J. Hope. p. 127..
  3. "Mayor and Councillors". Village of Doaktown. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  4. "Mayor and Councillors". Village of Doaktown. Archived from the original on 2014-05-18.
  5. "Past: Former Mayors". Village of Doaktown. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
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