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
County	Northumberland
Settled	1807
Incorporated	1966
Government
• Type	Town Council
• Mayor	Jeff Porter
Area [1]
• Land	29.07 km2 (11.22 sq mi)
Elevation	30 m (100 ft)
Population  (2016)[1]
• Total	792
• Density	27.2/km2 (70/sq mi)
• Change 2011-16	0.1%
Time zone	UTC-4 (Atlantic)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-3 (Atlantic)
Area code(s)	Area code 506
Dwellings	425
Website	https://www.discoverdoaktown.com/

History

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.

Demographics

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Doaktown had a population of 808 living in 391 of its 430 total private dwellings, a change of 2% from its 2016 population of 792. With a land area of 29.09 km² (11.23 sq mi), it had a population density of 27.8/km² (71.9/sq mi) in 2021.[3]

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

Historical municipal councils

List of successive mayors of Doaktown

Notable people

See also

• List of communities in New Brunswick

References

External links

• Village of Doaktown