Doaktown

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Doaktown
Village
Main Southwest Miramichi River in Doaktown (IR Walker 1988)
Main Southwest Miramichi River in Doaktown (IR Walker 1988)
Official seal of Doaktown
Nickname: 
Heart of the Miramichi River Valley
Country Canada
Province New Brunswick
CountyNorthumberland
Settled1807
Incorporated1966
Government
 • TypeTown Council
 • MayorBeverley K. Gaston
 • Deputy MayorCarl R. Price
Area
 • Land28.74 km2 (11.10 sq mi)
Elevation
30 m (100 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total793
 • Density27.6/km2 (71/sq mi)
 • Change 2006-11
Decrease10.7%
Time zoneUTC-4 (Atlantic)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-3 (Atlantic)
Area codeArea code 506
Dwellings405
Websitehttp://www.doaktown.com/

Doaktown (2011 population: 793) is a Canadian village in Northumberland County, New Brunswick.

History

It is situated on the Southwest Miramichi River and was first settled in 1807 for use as a base for the growing lumber industry in central New Brunswick. United Empire Loyalists came to the area after the American Revolutionary War and pooled the money needed for a land grant and received a grant under Ephriam Betts, the leader of the group.

Later, when the Doak family moved to the area from Ayrshire, Scotland, Ephriam was experiencing financial difficulty. Robert Doak was able to purchase a large amount of the original land grant and built a farm and grist mill on the property.[1]

As the population grew, Robert Doak became a prominent citizen in the area. He served with the government in several capacities, including magistrate and justice of the peace.

When the post office first came to the area, a name had to be chosen. Since Robert Doak was a prominent citizen, the area was named after him, originally as Doakton. However, it was later changed to Doaktown as it is today.

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

Atlantic Salmon fishing is also 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 counsel was formed after the election on May 12, 2008.[2]

Current municipal council

Mandate Function Name(s)[3]
2012 - 2016 Maire Beverly K. Gaston
Councillors Wayne N. Fowler, Paul M. Gillepsie, Jeff D. Porter et Carl Price

Historical municipal councils

Mandate Function Name(s)[3]
2008 - 2012 Mayor Charles Eric Stewart
Councillors Wayne N. Fowler, Paul Malcom Gillepsie, Carl R. Price, Scott E. Stewart.
List of successive mayors of Doaktown
Party Name[4] Mandate
Independent Kenneth J. Robinson 1967-1971
Independent E. Clarence Taylor 1971-1980
Independent Benson H. Parker 1980-1986
Independent Helen M. C. Taylor 1986-1988
Independent Benson H. Parker 1988-1995
Independent James W. Porter 1995-2004
Independent Charles "Sonny" E. Stewart 2004–2012
Independent Beverly K. Gaston 2012–present

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ^ William Gagnong (1904). A Monograph of the Origins of the Settlements in New Brunswick. Ottawa: J. Hope. p. 127..
  2. ^ "Événements électoraux locaux de 2008" (PDF). Élections N.-B. Retrieved 10 January 2013. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  3. ^ a b http://www.doaktown.com/village-office/mayor-and-councillors-0
  4. ^ http://www.doaktown.com/village-office/former-mayors

External links