Town of St. Stephen
Community Profile Book
2013
Tidy up our Town for…Communities in Bloom
Welcome
Communities in Bloom
Judges
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The Town of St. Stephen
would like to extend a warm welcome to:
Sylvie Belley
Lucy Chang
The
National
Communities in Bloom 2013
Judges
3|Page
Message
from
Mayor Quartermain
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5|Page
Introduction
To
St. Stephen
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Community Profile
Settled: 1604
Incorporated: 1871
Population: 4,817
Area: 13.45 square kms
Municipal Budget: $7,532,665.00
Parks, Recreation & Culture Budget: $773, 662.00 = 10.27% of total Municipal Budget
Residential Tax: $1.58
http://www.chocolatetown.ca/
A Brief History
The Passamaquoddy people were the first to make their home along the St. Croix River. They
dispersed and hunted inland in the winter; in the summer, they gathered more closely together on
the coast and islands, and primarily harvested seafood. In 1604, French explorer Samuel de
Champlain and his men spent a winter here. The Passamaquoddy were moved off their original
lands repeatedly by European settlers since that time.
Officially incorporated as a town in 1871, five years later St. Stephen's business district was almost
destroyed by fire when eighty buildings and 13 wharves burned.
In the 1970s, the municipalities of St. Stephen and Milltown joined together to become what is now
simply known as St. Stephen.
Historically a lumber and ship building economy until the early part of the 1900s, by the end
of World War II the town's main employers were the Ganong Bros. Limited chocolate company
(established 1873, Canada's oldest candy company), and the second largest textile mill in Canada
built in 1882 on the river where it operated with its own hydro-electric generating station,
the Milltown Dam. In 1957, the textile mill closed but the confectionery maker remains a key
employer.
Every August since 1985, the town plays host to the week-long Chocolate Fest, celebrating their rich
and delicious heritage. That spotlight on the wonder of chocolate resulted in the opening of the
Chocolate Museum in 1999. In 2000, St. Stephen was given the title of "Canada's Chocolate Town."
Residents of St. Stephen and Calais often regard their community as one place, cooperating in their
fire departments and other community projects. For much of their history, both towns' fire
departments have responded in tandem to any fire call on either side of the border.
Construction began in 2008 on a third bridge connecting the two communities; the
new International Avenue Bridge which was officially opened in January 2010.
Every year the town co-hosts a weeklong International Festival with neighbours Calais, Maine.
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Mayor & Council
Mayor – John Quartermain
Deputy Mayor – John Ames
Councilor – Marg Harding
Councilor – Debbie MacDonald
Councilor – Mike Booth
Councilor – Jim Maxwell
Council – Allan MacEachern
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St. Stephen
Communities in Bloom
Committee Members
Dale Weeks – Chamber of Commerce
Judy Lowery – Chamber of Commerce
Heather Donahue – BIA
Michael O’Connell – Town of St. Stephen
Jennifer Dow – Town Horticulturist
Debbie MacDonald – Town Council
Sarah Goulding – Chocolate Museum
Nicole Leger – St. Stephen’s University
June Greenlaw – Independent Consultant
Steve Braysford – Community Volunteer
Nikki Lindsay – Community Volunteer
Jan Guptill – Community Volunteer
Our committee would like to give special recognition to partner Darren Marshall,
named Communities in Bloom volunteer of 2013, owner of Mayfield Gardens &
Landscape for his contributions to the Communities in Bloom initiative.
Thank you.
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St. Stephen
Communities in Bloom
Partners & Sponsors
Town of St. Stephen
Chamber of Commerce
BIA
Mayfield Gardens & Landscape
Cooke Aquaculture
Paturel International
Blair House Inn
Dave Densmore Web design
Ganong Nature Park
Guy R Day and Son Ltd.
McGregor Construction
St. Stephen Guardian Pharmacy
St. Stephen SuperStore
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Source One Supplies
St. Croix Printing & Publishing Co. Ltd
Hair Design Headquarters & Day Spa
Subway
Bistro on the Boulevard Ltd.
Disher Homes Ltd.
Milltown Machine & Fabrication Ltd.
The Wool Emporium
Winsome Inn
Haggarty’s Cove Ventures Ltd.
MechMuffler & Custom Exhaust Inc.
St. Croix Retirement Community
And a BIG thank you to all business owners who let us use their windows!
THANK YOU!!
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Tidiness
“The Dream Team”
From left: Tannis McMorran, Alison Curran, Briana Matheson and Brandon Belyea.
Our Town Council and residents are concerned with the tidiness of our green spaces, vacant lots and
buildings, medians, boulevards, and street signs. We all depend on countless partnerships and
collaborations to ensure our streetscapes are safe, clean and tidy and enjoyed by our community.
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TOWN PRIDE MONTH
In May of each year, the Town of St Stephen celebrates Town Pride month, with one day set aside
for the Town Pride Clean-up Challenge.
Staff & Students from St. Stephen’s University
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AND FESTIVE DECORATING
This initiative is managed by our BIA and the Chamber of Commerce, with the participation of
downtown merchants. They help make our downtown shine brightly during the holiday season.
Starting in mid-November they hang lighted decorations from out lamp posts, and businesses
decorate their windows and storefronts for the festive season.
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CLEAN TEAM
Clean Team Members create and maintain a clean, welcoming and safe environment in the
Downtown core for residents, visitors and tourists. The Clean Team maintains streets and sidewalks;
picking up litter, removing graffiti, painting public items. The Clean Team Members project a
positive image of the Downtown Businesses, and are approachable, friendly ambassadors who’ll
provide information and assistance to the residents, and visitors.
TURF MAINTENANCE
The Town’s turf maintenance program is divided into two separate contracts. One contract is
dedicated to Sports fields, while the other contract deals with Parks and other green spaces. This
includes mowing, regular maintenance and litter pick-up.
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TOWN CLEAN-UP
The Town conducts an annual spring and fall leaf, and yard waste cleanup campaign for the
residential sector. The Town of St. Stephen continues to collect discarded Christmas Trees which are
stored and run through the chipper. This is done is cooperation with the South West Solid Waste
Commission. The mulch is stockpiled and made available for use to the Community.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Neighbor’s in Milltown Height’s got together and strung lights in all the trees throughout the Park in
their area. They shine these lights all year round.
Carman’s Diner: Each summer at Carman's Diner we have fun planting flowers in our window
boxes and watching them grow. It has become a challenge to try to out-do the display from the
previous summer.
This year, however, thanks to some inspiration from social networking sites like Facebook and
Pinterest, we decided to add to our usual floral repertoire. By up-cycling a few old oil barrels and
making an attempt at craftiness, we pulled together the Barrel Family; a colorful flower-headed,
smiley-faced family that has become the season's mascots for our business. Who would have
thought that something so simple could generate so much joy?! We even put on a very successful
“Name the Barrels” contest!
Barrel Family at Carman's
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Introducing Joycie Jardin, Sonny Soleil and Baby Belle:
VACANT STOREFRONTS
As a, Communities in Bloom initiative, we received permission from most downtown business owners
who have vacant buildings in town to put up displays in their storefront windows.
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Municipal Bylaws:
The Town of St Stephen employs a full time By law Enforcement Officer who
receives direction from the Town Council.
Some of our bylaws that pertain to tidiness include:
• L-1 A By Law to regulate the Use of Public Parks
• L-5 A By Law to Adopt a Code Respecting Standards for Maintenance and
Occupancy of Residential Buildings
• L-6 A building By Law
• S-7 A By Law to Regulate the Collection and Disposal of Garbage and other
Material
• S-8 A By Law Regulating Dangerous and Unsightly Premises
• Z-1 The Town of St Stephen Zoning By Law
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Environmental Action
Mayfield Gardens & Landscape and St. Stephen Middle School Compost Program
Mayfield Gardens & Landscape and the St. Stephen Elementary School has worked together to
develop a composting program with their science club. Student members of the club collected
compost material at lunch time from their fellow students in the cafeteria. It was then stored in
containers behind the school. Mayfield would send one of their trucks in each week to pick up the
compost material and bring it back to the greenhouses for composting. The finished compost was
returned to the schools in two projects. The first, students had a tour of the greenhouses and the
opportunity to plant up a flower using compost they had helped create. The second was through our
membership with Canadian Nursery Landscape Association and their Arbor Day program. Mayfield
provided each school in St. Stephen with a free tree. Each tree was planted by Mayfield’s landscape
crew and the compost was used to amend the site soil, again returning the compost back to the
schools. At the time of planting Mayfield’s held outside discussions with the students explaining go
planting practices as well as the benefits of trees to the environment.
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This year Mayfield Gardens & Landscape donated 1000 Marigolds to Communities in Bloom to use
towards the compost project as well as others left it up to the committee to distribute the balance of
the flowers to any group or local association that could make good use of them. The owner Darren
provided the labor of his crew for the sod cutting and tilling equipment to prepare the bed as well a
marine compost to amend the site soil.
Experiential Learning: Planting Marigolds
Mayfield Gardens & Landscape also participates in the Sunflower contest by distributing sunflower
seed to each student in the elementary schools. They encourage each teacher to plant the seeds in
class and have the kids take the plants home for the summer. In late summer/early fall we host the
sunflower contest. Children cut down their sunflower, bring them into the garden center to enter for
a chance to win locally donated prizes. Categories vary tallest, number of blossoms, biggest blossom
etc.
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St. Stephen Middle School Community Garden
The St. Stephen Middle School plants a garden every spring, and neighbors from the Community
take care of it throughout the summer. The students learn how a garden can be both a classroom
and a textbook for formal and non-formal education programs and institutions. It teaches them
about how rainwater is filtered through gardens, helping to keep lakes, rivers and groundwater clean.
It teaches them that gardens restore oxygen into the air and helps reduce air pollution. They learn
how large quantities of organic waste can be used to fertilize gardens, thus helping to minimize a
community’s overall waste output.
The Beet
Local Food for Local People: The Beet, a CSA, is ‘community shared agriculture.’ Food is grown in the
community for the community. The idea is to commit to buy a share of the farms at the beginning
of the growing season and share the harvest together. The Beet sources from more than one local
farm, so you’re assured of getting your share. It’s a great way to access local, organic, healthy food
and interact in your community. As a consumer, you can choose to support a local farmer, and there
will be tasty local vegetables and local fruit or berries every week as they grow! We promise it to be
good, old-fashioned food: safe, non-genetically modified, pesticide and chemical free. We also
compost all of our veggie waste to fertilize new crops.
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St. Croix Vineyard Community Garden
In 2012 Raymond Funk from the St. Croix Vineyard church had an idea to start a community
garden. He gathered some other interested individuals from the church community and started a
community garden. Very basic in its first year, we were excited when several people experienced
success with growing gardens in the first year, and we were able to donate some of the produce to
the food bank.
This year the Vineyard Church has expanded our efforts by incorporating more people from the
wider St. Stephen community, including partnering with the Charlotte County Activity Centre and
the Family Resource Centre in St. Stephen. We've added some perennials along the Victoria Street
side of our garden and are beginning to dream about what kind of things we can do next year.
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St. Stephen’s University
Our History:
On July 15, 1975, six brave students and a small group of faculty and staff launched St. Stephen’s
University. From the beginning, we have seen the difference between training and transformation.
Training has its place. But at its best, education not only teaches people to know more and do more,
it also helps them to become better. The process of being “... transformed by the renewing of your
mind...” is what Jesus lived and taught. It is our continuing quest.
In 1975 the university’s founders purchased an about-to-be condemned building in downtown St.
Stephen, New Brunswick. Gradually, with tender loving care, this once gracious family residence has
been brought back to life as Park Hall, the centerpiece of SSU’s campus. In the Italian Renaissance
Revival style, with an impressive interior four-storey stairway of black walnut, the building dates
from the time of Canadian Confederation in 1867.
SSU’s story includes a vision for restoration and transformation, first of people, but for our
surroundings as well. Very few small Canadian towns can boast a University in their midst. As such,
SSU has a close working relationship with the town of St. Stephen. The university also has academic
programs that reach around the globe, with students returning to St. Stephen each year from studyabroad programs that took them to Paris, Rome, Istanbul, Bangkok and Manila. Planted firmly in
the valley of the St. Croix, looking across the river to welcome our American neighbors, SSU's
original vision for academic excellence continues to inform our life as a Christian learning
community. The world is our campus.
St. Stephen’s University participates in recycling its cardboard, plastics, paper, batteries, and paint
and CFL bulbs. The 2009 graduating class donated a compost container to help increase the
efficiency of our composting efforts. Currently the university is working on various sustainability
projects which will help to convert some of our green space to edible gardens.
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This summer we have been working on enhancing the university’s landscape by redeveloping old
flower beds and planting vegetables in existing gardens which have not been in use for some time.
Children’s Community Garden
The Children’s Community Garden is a joint project of the Charlotte County Family Resource Centre
and Talk With Me Early Language Services. We have been working with children and their families
since March, planting seeds, caring for seedlings, and learning about gardens and composting. Raised
beds were built in June, and the children helped plan seeds and transplant our seedlings.
Each Friday that we visit the garden we will have a number of jobs for the children to help with. We
will weed and water the plants if needed, take pictures of how the garden is coming along, and
measure our pole beans to track their growth.
Besides these activities, each week we will have a theme. The theme for the week will be decided
based on which fruit or veggies are ready that week. For each theme children will have a chance to
taste, or smell, feel watch, or otherwise explore the fruit, vegetables or flower for that week. Themes
will include herbs, strawberries, tomatoes, carrots, butterflies, and bugs in the garden. In addition we
hope to involve families in cooking and preserving activities in the fall, using garden produce.
We hope to continue our project well into the fall, and continue it next year.
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Garden Club “The Charlotte Gardeners”
In 1996 Joan Williams, from St. Stephen decided to start a garden club in Charlotte County. In
September of that year it started and the organizations first meeting was held in November.
“The Charlotte Gardeners” had a variety of objectives in which they have been able to reach during
its time:
1) Promote interest and increase knowledge of all aspects around gardening and related
subjects.
2) Hold garden seminars for the public; started “Charlotte County Blooms Seminars” in 2003
3) To hold meetings with invited speakers who have a particular knowledge.
4) Organize competitions.
5) Enhance communities.
The Garden Club has done a variety of garden tours both public and private from Hartland to
Moncton. They have visited greenhouses, held demonstrations and have had many guest speakers.
Every spring they have a flower exchange/ sale of produce be it flowers or veggies. We plant and
care for two gardens in St. Stephen.
Headquarters Hair Salon and Daily Spa
The best way to make a contribution in fashion is to promote the idea that a fundamental interest in
preserving the environment is itself fashionable. Georgio Armani at Headquarters Hair Design and Day
Spa we honor and incorporate this idea. We are an Environmentally Friendly Salon: ammonia
free, pure, safe and beneficial. We compost the hair; recycle our paper, plastic and returnable’s to
areas provided by our town.
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In 2003, a new $6 million Waste Water Treatment Plant was built, replacing two old lagoons that
were located in the heart of the Town.
Formed in 1996, South West Solid Waste having received approval to build the facility under the New
Brunswick Environmental Impact Assessment process now operates the Hemlock Knoll facility under a
Certificate of Approval issued by the New Brunswick Department of the Environment.
The SWSW staff often present educational programs to schools, community service groups, and conduct
public information sessions at special events in our region.
All wastes, accepted at the South West Solid Waste facility at Hemlock Knoll sanitary landfill is placed in a
containment cell. Below is a photo of cell #5 as the clay layer stage of construction nears completion.
Third party engineers check all stages of work to insure that all stringent specifications are met.
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St. Stephen Farmers’ Market 2007- 2013:
The St. Stephen Farmers Market offers local handcrafters and farmers an opportunity to share their
talents, hobbies and homegrown goods to the community of Charlotte County. Small business is a very
important part of our local economy and is not always easy to sustain for many people. At the weekly
farmers market, our vendors are able to display their creativity and hard work, get their name recognized
in our town and beyond and feel proud that they are a part of helping local commerce. We are local
farmers and craftspeople who love what we do and are proud to grow craft and create for our community
and for visitors traveling through our beautiful province.
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Southwest NB Service Commission:
The Southwest NB Service Commission is responsible for the fibre and plastic recycling program in the
Southwest portion of New Brunswick. This consists of depot sites throughout our district; each school
has their own bin as does the local nursing home and hospital. Our recycling fleet collects the recyclables
6 days a week and brings them to the recycle building located at the Hemlock Knoll site to be sorted,
baled and shipped out for recycling. We collect paper and cardboard products along with #1 (PET) and
#2 (HDPE) plastics.
In St. Stephen there are 3 depot sites consisting of 11 recycle bins, 4 schools each with their own bin, and
16 commercial locations we pick up from. Other recycling taking place in St. Stephen includes:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Various businesses have battery (alkaline and rechargeable), and cell phone boxes for collection.
Ink and toner cartridges are collected by the Charlotte County SPCA, located in St. Stephen.
Others collect for the recycling of tires, used motor oil, antifreeze, used hydraulic and brake fluids,
car batteries, redeemable bottles and cans, metals and pharmaceuticals
One business is set up as a paint depot for the New Brunswick Paint Recycling Program; the paint
is then picked up for recycling.
There is a Christmas Tree Shredding program. The Town collects the trees at curbside they are
shredded and the mulch is for use by the residents.
On an annual basis a computer recycling depot is set up at the Border Area Arena located in St.
Stephen. Residents bring their old computers, laptops, keyboards, mice, CPUs, printers and all
items associated with a computer. We wrap them on pallets and ship them out for proper
recycling. Last year the computers were picked up by the Diabetic Association; sponsored by
Greentec.
Waste Disposal in the Charlotte County Region takes place at the Hemlock Knoll Sanitary landfill; a
second generation landfill.
All wastes accepted at the Hemlock Knoll sanitary landfill is placed in a containment cell.
See the diagram and picture below for detail on our liner system.
Liner System and Leachate Collection
3 Liners in Place
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We have a compacted clay base, followed by a HDPE (#2 Plastic) plastic liner, a “Geonet” liner and then
another HDPE liner.
The solid waste 'cells' are lined with a piping system that will eventually move the raw leachate to our
leachate treatment ponds. By use of aeration the water is cleaned and moved through a series of ponds
and filter beds before the final aeration pond. It is not discharged to the environment until it is tested and
approved by a third party lab.
As of March 2010 the Hemlock Knoll facility has been flaring landfill gas that has been generated from
the organic matter in the entombed waste. Inside the extraction control unit the concentration of methane
and other components are monitored. This plant is automated for safety considerations and to flare only
if there is sufficient volume of gas.
Gas Valve Boxes along the Hill
Flare System
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Other programs offered are:
Household Hazardous Waste Depot is located at our site. Residents have a safe responsible way of
disposing of their household hazardous wastes for free.
There is a White Goods Pick Up Program. This offers residents a quick convenient way of sending their
large household appliances (fridges, stoves, washers, dryers, and freezers) to metal recycling. All they have
to do is call for a pick up date, and set the item out where they would normally set their garbage for pick
up. Our truck will pick it up.
We also present educational programs to schools, community groups and conduct public information
sessions at special events in the region. These programs are on such topics as backyard and vermiculture
composting, the proper way to recycle and the construction and management of the landfill in our region.
Where Does Our Garbage Go?
Atlantic Superstore Pharmacy
Border Transmission
Canadian Tire
Carquest Auto Parts
Carr’s Automatic Transmission
Charlotte County Can and Bottle
Keith’s Building Supplies
King Street Circle K
Milltown Garage
NAPA Auto Parts
OK Tire
Shoppers Drug Mart
St. Stephen Guardian Drug Store
Daniel Higgins Garage
St. Stephen Transport
Downey Sales and Service
Sobeys Pharmacy
FM Carson
Town Hall for Batteries
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Municipal Bylaws:
The Town of St Stephen employs a full time By law Enforcement Officer who receives
direction from the Town Council. Some By Laws
Some of our bylaws that pertain to tidiness include:
• L-1 A By Law to regulate the Use of Public Parks
• L-6 A building By Law
• S-1 A By Law Respecting Disturbance by Noise
• W-2 A By Law Relating to the Water and Sewage Systems
• W-3 A By Law Regulating the Discharge of Water into Drains, Storm and Sanitary
Sewer Systems
• Z-1 The Town of St Stephen Zoning By Law
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Heritage Conservation
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Early History
St. Stephen traces its origin to a group of loyalists led by Capt. Nehemiah Marks, originally from
Derby, Connecticut. They arrived by ship from Halifax in June 1784. Capt. Marks returned to
Halifax seeking to obtain assistance from the British government. He succeeded. Surveyors were
sent out to establish village lots and 100 acre farms. One of these was given to each man residing in
Town. In addition they received farming tools, building materials and sufficient army rations to last
three years.
The site where Nehemiah Marks stepped ashore and planted the British flag has been designated as
a Local Historic Place. The Loyalist Landing is a municipal park with floral gardens and a memorial
clock located on the banks of the St. Croix River near the Chocolate Theme Park & Playground.
The Loyalist Burial Ground served St. Stephen until 1863, and marks the final resting place for these
early pioneers. However it subsequently fell into disrepair. In 2004, Town Council undertook to
transfer legal possession of the Burial Ground from the Anglican Church to the Town. In 2005, the
Loyalist Burial Ground Restoration Committee began work to raise community support and raise
funds to restore the site and provide long overdue respect for these founding mothers and fathers.
The restoration work culminated with unveiling of a memorial stone on August 3, 2008
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Lumbering, Shipbuilding and a Cotton Mill
What had started as a farming community would soon change. England had laid claim to the
surrounding forests which contained tall, straight white pine trees. These trees were important for
England’s shipbuilding industry and especially for making masts. This forest land was first known as
"the King's forests" (and later as “Crown land” when England transferred ownership to the
province). New Brunswick became one of England's main suppliers of timber with Charlotte
County leading the logging sector from the beginning.
As a result, the area grew both economically and culturally, and by 1800, St. Stephen was perhaps
the most important regional port for shipments of timber and lumber overseas. Both sides of the St.
Croix River became studded with numerous shipyards, lumber mills and docks as a "Golden Era"
began. The many docks were crowded with Tall Ships loading lumber bound for Europe.
St. Stephen's economy was centered on the lumber and ship building economy until the market
demand collapsed in the 1870’s. In early 1880 a group of lumber merchants began promoting a large
cotton mill. The St Croix Cotton Manufacturing Company (later Canadian Cottons, Limited) opened
its mill in 1882. The mill was one of the biggest and longest-operating cotton mills in the province
and attracted workers from all parts of New Brunswick as well as from other provinces and
England, Scotland and the United States. By 1950 about 1,000 workers were employed there. The
mill is known in New Brunswick labour history for its record of labour activism, which goes back to
the early years in the 1880s. In the 1950s the workers' union, Local 858 - Textile Workers' Union of
America, played a leading part in community efforts to save the mill from the shutdowns that were
affecting the entire Canadian textile industry. The mill finally closed in 1957. In 2004, Bill Eagan,
whose mother and father both worked at the mill, captured “working life” stories of 24 former
workers at the mill in his book “Woven in Time”. Three years later Bill led a volunteer group to
raise money for a monument honoring the Millworkers. On October 6, 2007, the Milltown Cotton Mill
Workers Monument was officially unveiled featuring a bronze statue. The monument portrays
millworkers sharing a moment together during their workday.
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“Canada’s Chocolate Town”
The heritage of St. Stephen isn't complete without talking about chocolate. It begins when brothers
James and Gilbert Ganong opened a small retail and grocery business in 1873. At first, selling candy
was just a small part of their business. The brothers soon realized they had to specialize in certain
products to gain an edge on their competitors. Selling fresh oysters was one of the things they tried,
as well as making and marketing their own brand of soap. But it was making candy that set the
foundation for what is now Canada's oldest family owned candy-maker. Over the years, Ganong has
made candy and chocolate history by:
• Introducing cinnamon flavored candies with bittersweet chocolate centres (Chicken Bones) in
1885.
• Developing and introducing the first Canadian lollipop - 1895.
• Inventing and introducing the first chocolate nut bar in North America
• Using cellophane packaging imported from France - 1920.
• Introducing a heart-shaped box to hold chocolates - 1932.
• The first 5 cent chocolate bar - 1910.
• Using real fruit, in puree form, to make fruit snacks - 1988
The original Ganong factory occupies a prominent space in downtown St. Stephen. When it became
time to modernize, a new factory was built and began production in 1990. The original factory
building was renovated by its new owner but retains the character of the original structure.
Numerous photos and displays depict scenes from the original factory. Subsequently, In 1999, the
Chocolate Museum opened in the renovated factory building to showcase Ganong's history.
The Chocolate Museum is housed in the old Ganong factory.
St. Stephen's chocolate heritage is celebrated annually during Chocolate Fest, a week-long
celebration overseen by the Chocolate Mousse and his bride Tiffany. The 2012 Chocolate Fest
brochure highlights the events.
In 2000, St. Stephen was officially registered as ‘Canada’s Chocolate Town’ as a mark of the
importance of chocolate in its past and present.
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Ganong Nature Park
In 2002 SCEP Inc. acquired the Todd’s Point property of the late candy maker, Whidden Ganong,
whose wish it had been for someone to take his magnificent 350 acre historic property and make it
available to the public as a “nature park.” After a public fund raising effort the property was
purchased and turned over to SCEP and is now known and registered as the Ganong Nature Park.
The Park is located on a peninsula formed by the St. Croix Estuary and Oak Bay which along with
the Waweig River form the cross, “Ste-Croix-Holy Cross”, the name given to the river by
Champlain in 1604.
Of the park’s 350 acres, 180 acres are intertidal. The park’s beach is one and a half miles in length. There are
numerous field and woodland walking trails. There are different buildings, the largest of which is the three stories
Learning Centre, which can be used for many events such as receptions and seminars. There is a modestly equipped
kitchen and office space as well as public washrooms. The most historic building is the Ganong cottage.
The Passamaquoddy have occupied this area for the past 10,000 years, with the French arriving only
a little more than 400 years ago with the attempt to settle St. Croix Island by Champlain and
Demont. This island is very much visible from the Park.
The land was originally a Loyalist grant to Benjamin Bradford who operated a ferry here in the
early 1800’s, this being the main land route of travel between St. Stephen and St. Andrews
before the days of roads when travel was by foot or by boat, or in this case a combination of
both.
This property was purchase by William Todd in 1885. Todd established St. Croix Stock Farm,
consisting of three barns and the ability to stable over a hundred horses. He bred race horses,
established a quarter mile track. In 1896 a fire struck, wiping out most of the horses and most of the
assets of Mr. Todd. Another Todd venture was the building of a brick factory, with brick
retailing for $1.00 per 1000. Many of the bricks in the old candy factory were manufactured
at the Point.
The Todd’s retained ownership of the property until 1951 when it was purchased by Whidden and
Eleanor Ganong who established Oak Point Farms, growing and selling vegetables and fruit
to the St, Stephen community. As today it was a retreat from the busy world of business. They
both enjoyed the natural setting of the point with Mrs. Ganong recording a list of wildlife. In 1960 she identified 189
bird and animals such as gulls, duck, cormorants, sandpipers, herons, eagles, ospreys, hawks, partridge, owls and
various song birds –field mice, moose, deer, bear, cougars, bobcats, mink. weasels, rabbits, skunks, porcupines,
coyotes, wood chucks, moles fishers, squirrels, chipmunks and raccoons.
Although the property was always in private hands, the owners allowed the general public to use
the space with the Boy Scouts having campouts, the service clubs from town having picnics
as well as allowing company picnics from the soap factory, Ganongs and the Cotton Mill.
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At the Ganong Nature Park at Todd’s Point, we try to honor the tradition of hosting the
community, which has been done for over one hundred years. A hardy welcome is extended to all
to enjoy the peace and tranquility of this wonderful jewel.
LIVE, PLAY, LEARN
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International Festival
The St Croix River serves as the international boundary that separates St. Stephen, New Brunswick
and Calais, Maine. Residents of the two communities have a long and shared history of working and
living side by side. Some residents live in one country and work in the other. Some have dual
citizenship and “international” marriages occur. Before Calais opened its own hospital in the 1950’s,
many Calais residents were born in the Chipman Memorial Hospital. So many births to Calais
parents occurred in Chipman Memorial Hospital that some U.S. officials became alarmed at the
distortion of vital statics for the Calais area. This resulted in the practice of registering these births at
the United States Consulate office in St. Stephen.
At various times over the years the communities have shared utilities, telephone exchanges, an
electric railway, festivals and parades. The fire departments in both communities continue a long
standing tradition of mutual aid. It is unique because there is an “automatic” response from both
departments to structure fires in either community.
Even in wartime this spirit of cooperation was preserved. During the War of 1812, St. Stephen and
Calais were technically at war with each other. Yet no shots were fired across the river. One popular
storey from this wartime period describes how Calais borrowed gunpowder from St. Stephen in
order to allow them to make firecrackers for their Fourth of July celebrations.
International Homecoming Festival honors the friendships and spirit of cooperation that exists
between St. Stephen and Calais. The Festival started in 1974 as a three day celebration put on by the
St. Stephen Rotary Club. It has grown from humble beginning to a weeklong event that includes
concerts, a parade, craft fairs, street fairs, races, horse shows, beauty pageants and so much more
ending with a spectacular fireworks show on the last night. Many class and family reunions revolve
around International Homecoming Festival and residents look forward to the annual event.
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Dover Hill Park
Dover Hill Park is designated a Local Historic Place because of its association with some of its
former owners and for its current use as civic park and commemorative site.
Dover Hill Park is recognized for the owners of this property. Rev. Richard Clarke, the first
Anglican Rector in the area, purchased the land. In 1808, Rev. Clarke built a house on the lot. In
1839, Freeman H. Todd purchased the home, later known as Dover Hill. Mr. Todd acquired
several ships which he used for the West India Trade and established the lumber firm of F.H.
Todd & Sons, which after his death was acquired by the St. Croix Paper Company. He was a
promoter of the railroad and was President of the St. Stephen's Bank. In 1885, Dover Hill became
the residence of his daughter Addie and her husband Charles Young, President of St. Croix Soap
Manufacturing Co. In 1969, the Provincial Government obtained the property and the building
was remodeled for government offices. The building was demolished in 1995. Foundation stones
have been used as a decorative border for the driveway. The site became the Eleanor Ganong
Memorial Garden and was dedicated on October 2, 1997, as stated on a dedication stone. The
wrought iron arch was dedicated in memory of R. Whidden Ganong and Eleanor Deacon Ganong
by Ganong employees in the year 2002.
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St. Stephen is situated along the beautiful St. Croix River.
Low tide
High tide
The Bay of Fundy, home of the highest tides in the world, is often referred to as "one of the marine
wonders of the world". The tides in the St. Stephen area are so high because the St. Croix River is
much narrower than other places along the coast; therefore the water is pushed into a smaller space
while remaining at the same volume causing higher tides.
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Urban Forestry
Planting & Tree Maintenance
The Town of St Stephen’s general practice is to plant a new tree to replace any that must be felled
due to disease or age. St. Stephen is fortunate to have a selection of trees of various ages, many over
100 years old.
Memorial Trees
Planting a tree is a fitting way to mark an event or to create a living memorial for a loved one who
has passed. Over the years, St Stephen has planted several trees, dedicated for loved ones. The
Milltown Elementary School has joined forces with Mayfield Gardens to participate in Arbour Day
tree planting.
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Landscape
The Town of St. Stephen has changed dramatically since the last time we were involved in
Communities in Bloom. Our downtown is still a work in progress, but we are starting to see the
benefits of our hard work. The landscaping of these properties and many more by the Town has
inspired residents and businesses alike to improve their own properties.
The Town of St. Stephen is surrounded by a wonderful natural landscape. The Historic St Croix
River is a perfect backdrop for the Town.
In 1997, we took on an ambitious project of turning a commercial piece of property into a
‘Signature Park’. Dover Hill has become a focal point in our Community, and one that our
Horticulturist takes great pride in.
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Walking Trails
We are fortunate to have some great walking trails throughout town. The most popular is the
Waterfront Trail which runs for 3 km. along the St. Croix, a Canadian Heritage River. The St. Croix
is also the southern border between New Brunswick and Maine so when you look across the river
you see Calais, Maine.. It is a great place to observe the effect of a 27 foot tide; especially on a set of
rapids just upstream of the Ferry Point International Bridge.
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Floral Display
The Town of St. Stephen has a trained horticulturalist on staff, Jennifer Dow. She has been with the
Town since 1997, and her work has really improved the appearance of the town.
Jennifer maintains eight passive parks. Each park is designed to incorporate beautiful flower beds,
using a variety of flowers. One of our signature Parks, Dover Hill was established the same year that
Jennifer joined our staff, and has truly become a destination point for residents who want pictures
for graduations, weddings, flower portraits, etc.
We have fifty-six beautiful hanging baskets that hang from our decorative lamp posts. These baskets
are started at Mayfield Gardens, who plants them and allows them to establish in their
greenhouse. In early June, these baskets are put up by the horticultural staff and are maintained by
them until late September. Jennifer also maintains several floral beds, shrubs and hedges throughout
the community-- six beds are throughout the towns that are not within a park. There are fifty street
planters and several trees along our front streets, making your drive into our town a pleasant one.
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As a Communities in Bloom initiative, our committee started a Community contest. This contest was
open to residents, businesses, and children. The idea was to grow awareness for Communities in Bloom
while tidying up our Town at the same time.
This year Mayfield Gardens & Landscape planted flowers that were in the design of both the
American and Canadian flags to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the
International Homecoming Festival, which celebrates the many years of friendship between the two
communities.
Thank you for vising our town. We hope you enjoyed your stay and we look forward to
to seeing you again soon.
“Canada’s Chocolate Town”
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