McAdam, New Brunswick facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
McAdam
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Village
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Saunders Road in McAdam with the McAdam railway station in the background.
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| Motto(s):
"Discover our History, Delight in our Nature"
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 McAdam
Location in New Brunswick
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | New Brunswick |
| County | York County |
| Parish | McAdam Parish |
| Incorporated | 1966 |
| Founded by | John McAdam |
| Named for | John McAdam |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipal council |
| Area | |
| • Land | 14.19 km2 (5.48 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 146 m (479 ft) |
| Population
(2021)
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| • Total | 1,173 |
| • Density | 82.7/km2 (214/sq mi) |
| • Change (2016–21) |  1.9% |
| Time zone | UTC−4 (Atlantic (AST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−3 (Atlantic Daylight Time (ADT)) |
| Canadian Postal code |
E6J
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| Area code(s) | 506 |
| NTS Map | 021G11 |
| GNBC Code | DBAQZ |
McAdam is a small village in the southwestern part of New Brunswick, Canada. It covers about 14 square kilometers. In 2021, about 1,173 people lived there.
McAdam started as a few small lumber camps in the mid-1800s. It grew because it was a key spot for trains. Many trains from the Maritime provinces, New England, and central Canada passed through here.
The village was an important stop for passenger and freight trains. It even helped with military trains during the World Wars. A big train station was built, along with a roundhouse and train yard.
However, things changed in the 1950s when trains started using diesel instead of steam. Also, better highways meant more trucks and cars. This made McAdam less important for train travel. The village faced tough times as railway jobs decreased.
Contents
McAdam's History
How McAdam Began
The area where McAdam is today was first settled between 1857 and 1869. This happened after the St. Andrews and Quebec Railway (SA&Q) was built. The first settlement was called City Camp. It was a group of camps where people worked with wood.
By the late 1860s, another railway, the European and North American Railway, was finished. It connected with the SA&Q line (which was now part of the New Brunswick Railway) in City Camp. Because of this important connection, City Camp was renamed McAdam Junction. It was named after John McAdam, a well-known lumberman and politician.
Growth of the Railway Village
By 1871, McAdam was a growing train junction. Its population reached about 400 people, mostly railway workers and their families. In 1879, a new train line was planned to Vanceboro, Maine, which was only 10 kilometers away. A road was also built next to the tracks. Both the train line and road are still used today.
In 1894, some nearby areas were combined to form the Parish of McAdam. The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) built the International Railway of Maine in 1889. This was the last part of the first transcontinental railway across Canada. The next year, CPR leased the New Brunswick Railway for 999 years.
CPR started building a huge station and hotel in McAdam in 1900. It was finished in 1901 and made even bigger in 1911. This station became the most important building in the village. It also became a major employer, helping McAdam grow a lot.
McAdam During the World Wars
Both World War I and World War II had a big impact on McAdam. Trains carrying soldiers to ports like Halifax would pass through McAdam. These trains often stopped at the station for checks and service. This meant more jobs, and the village's population kept growing.
In 1915, a German agent named Werner Horn tried to blow up the international railway bridge. This bridge was between Vanceboro, Maine, and St. Croix, New Brunswick, just west of McAdam. He wanted to stop war supplies from reaching the port of Saint John. But his attempt failed, and the bridge was fixed quickly.
Changes and Challenges
The biggest change for McAdam happened in the 1950s. Trains switched from using steam engines to diesel locomotives. Diesel trains didn't need to stop as often for service. This made the McAdam railway station much less important.
New highways built after the wars also meant that people used trucks and cars more. This reduced the need for the train lines to St. Stephen, St. Andrews, and Woodstock. Local passenger trains from McAdam to these places stopped running in the early 1960s. The station's hotel also closed later that decade.
McAdam was already struggling from these changes and its distance from other job sources. Things got even harder when CPR gave its passenger service to Via Rail Canada in 1978. In 1981, Via cancelled the Atlantic train, which was McAdam's last passenger train. It came back briefly in 1985 but was permanently cancelled in 1994. After that, CPR closed the station.
In 1995, CPR gave the station building to the village. At the same time, it sold its train lines through the village to the New Brunswick Southern Railway.
McAdam Today
Today, people in McAdam have worked hard to raise money. They have renovated and restored the old train station. It is now a museum and a popular place for tourists to visit. In 2009, the village hosted New Brunswick Day to help more people learn about its rich history.
Geography and Climate
McAdam is located in the New Brunswick Highlands, an area with hills and forests.
| Climate data for McAdam | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −3.9 (25.0) |
−2.2 (28.0) |
2.4 (36.3) |
9.4 (48.9) |
16.7 (62.1) |
22.3 (72.1) |
24.9 (76.8) |
23.7 (74.7) |
19.2 (66.6) |
13.2 (55.8) |
5.7 (42.3) |
−1.5 (29.3) |
10.8 (51.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −15.6 (3.9) |
−15.6 (3.9) |
−9.2 (15.4) |
−2.2 (28.0) |
3.5 (38.3) |
8.9 (48.0) |
12.2 (54.0) |
11.0 (51.8) |
6.4 (43.5) |
−1.4 (29.5) |
−3.6 (25.5) |
−12 (10) |
−1.2 (29.8) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 38.8 (1.53) |
36.3 (1.43) |
33.3 (1.31) |
64.9 (2.56) |
88.4 (3.48) |
86.1 (3.39) |
93.3 (3.67) |
96.0 (3.78) |
99.0 (3.90) |
92.4 (3.64) |
107.1 (4.22) |
62.1 (2.44) |
1,176.8 (46.33) |
| Source: Industry and Labour Adjustment Committee, McAdam, New Brunswick | |||||||||||||
Population and People
McAdam's Population Over Time
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1883 | 250 | — |
| 1901 | 714 | +185.6% |
| 1911 | 1,111 | +55.6% |
| 1921 | 1,614 | +45.3% |
| 1931 | 1,946 | +20.6% |
| 1941 | 2,265 | +16.4% |
| 1951 | 2,611 | +15.3% |
| 1956 | 2,803 | +7.4% |
| 1961 | 2,669 | −4.8% |
| 1966 | 2,448 | −8.3% |
| 1971 | 2,224 | −9.2% |
| 1981 | 1,857 | −16.5% |
| 1991 | 1,600 | −13.8% |
| 1996 | 1,570 | −1.9% |
| 2001 | 1,513 | −3.6% |
| 2006 | 1,404 | −7.2% |
| 2011 | 1,284 | −8.5% |
| 2016 | 1,151 | −10.4% |
| 2021 | 1,173 | +1.9% |
The first official count of McAdam's population was in 1901, with 714 people. As train operations grew, so did the population. Many people moved here for jobs. The population reached its highest point in 1956, with 2,803 people. This was almost four times the number from 1901.
However, when the train industry declined, jobs became scarce. The population began to shrink. Fifty years after its peak, the number of people living in McAdam had more than halved.
Recent Population Growth
Thanks to strong community spirit and leadership, McAdam's population grew in 2018 for the first time in a generation. This growth is partly due to the village selling land lots for a very low price ($1). The local campground has also expanded.
More recently, families have been moving to McAdam. They are looking for a small-town home with city services. These include schools, water, sewer, and essential shopping.
Economy and Jobs
| Economy (2016) | ||
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| Rate | Village | Province |
| Unemployment rate | 2.3% | 11.2% |
| Participation rate | 45.8% | 61.5% |
McAdam has different types of jobs. These include manufacturing, professional services, public sector jobs, and healthcare. Tourism is also important. Over 30,000 visitors come to the McAdam Train Station each year.
Manufacturing Companies
Certainteed Gypsum
The biggest employer in the village is Certainteed Gypsum. It directly employs 57 people. If you include contract workers, security, and drivers, the total is over 75 people. The McAdam Certainteed Gypsum plant makes different types of wallboard. These products are sent all over North America.
Soleno Maritimes Inc.
Soleno Inc. makes strong plastic pipes. These pipes are used for storm drains and fittings. They are shipped across Atlantic Canada. The plant employs 25 people. In 2013, the New Brunswick government helped the company with money to update its equipment.
Healthcare Jobs
The McAdam Health Centre is connected to Wauklehegan Manor. It employs about 54 people.
Fun and Recreation
Entertainment History
In 1965, the most popular movie in McAdam was The Sound of Music. It played at the Vogue Movie Theatre. One person watched it 42 times! The movie theatre closed in 1988.
In 1994, the Eatons company filmed a TV commercial at the train station. This was just three months before national train routes stopped.
In 2016, comedian Jonny Harris performed his show Still Standing at McAdam High School. It was shown on CBC.
Places to Play and Relax
McAdam has many places for people of all ages to have fun. These include:
- Youth Centre - Warriors Den
- Outdoor skating rink
- Tennis court
- Basketball court
- Walking trail
- Two gymnasiums
- Weight room
- Two baseball fields
- Two parks
- Seniors club
- Beach
Famous People from McAdam
- Gregory Evans - He was the first Integrity Commissioner for the province of Ontario. This job involves making sure government officials act honestly.
- Heidi Hanlon - A curler who has won the provincial women's curling championship 11 times.
See also
In Spanish: McAdam (Nuevo Brunswick) para niños
