The H.O. Stewart General Store

Description of Historic Place

   The H.O. Stewart General Store and lot are located on Main Street in the Village of Rexton. This one and one-half storey wood framed building was the last small general store to operate on the north side of the Village.

Heritage Value

   H.O. Stewart General Store and lot are designated as a Local Historic Place for its historic function as a supplier of basic goods to the community and as a fixture on the Main Street in Rexton since at least the 1860’s.
   An early deed of that time indicates the property being leased by James Russ whose occupation in the directory of Rexton of 1867 lists him as a merchant and trader. The building has been owned by merchants since that time with a store operating under five different shopkeepers over the years. An advertisement in a local paper of 1918 lists H.O. Stewart’s inventory as boots, shoes, rubbers, men’s hats and caps, and a full line of groceries. He owned the property from 1919 until 1945 when another well known family to the community, the Campbell’s, took ownership. H. O. Stewart General Store was a supplier of basic goods to the community for more than 125 years and a fixture on the Main Street of Rexton.

The Church of the Immaculate Conception

Description of Historic Place

   The Church of the Immaculate Conception is a simple, white, wood framed building located on School Street in the Village of Rexton.

Heritage Value

   The heritage value of the Church of the Immaculate Conception lies in its association with Father Hugh McGuirk and his devotion to the Catholic residents in the Village of Rexton during the years 1848 to 1857.
   Before the arrival of Father Hugh McGuirk to the Richibucto River in 1848, early Catholic inhabitants of Kingston (now Rexton) were attended to by missionaries and later by a resident priest in the neighbouring community of Richibucto. It was under the direction of Father McGuirk that this historic church was built in 1853. He also had a building in the village remodelled for a school, which served the purpose of educating the Catholic children of Rexton until the School Act of 1871.
The belfry and spire were erected in 1897. In 1939, the church enlarged by separating the structure in the middle and a twenty-six foot section added. The church is still in use today

The Brait House

Description of Historic Place

   The Brait House is a two storey, Second Empire style, wood framed house situated on a hill at the south end of the Rexton Bridge, near the intersection of several streets in the Village of Rexton.

Heritage Value

   The heritage value of the Brait House resides in its association with William Brait and his contribution in the development of Rexton.
   The Brait family operated a general store, known as Braits Store, on the south side of the Richibucto River in Rexton and had great political influence during the mid 1800's. The Brait family is given credit for persuading the government of the day to construct the first bridge to cross the Richibucto River in Kingston (now Rexton). The bridge had originally been for planned for a site downriver in Jardineville, The bridge was then erected by William Brait and William Fitzgerald. It became an important section of the main route for the north and south traffic on the eastern side of the province and allowed the village to flourish and develop. The Brait House was built later in the same year of the construction of the bridge in 1850. Local lore suggested the site on a hill overlooking the bridge was chosen to symbolize the families triumph in getting the bridge located in Kingston (now Rexton) thereby adding greatly to the development of the community and the family’s fortune.

The Dr. Lawrence McLaren House

Description of Historic Place

   The Dr. Lawrence McLaren House is a two-storey Georgian style house with a hipped roof from the mid 19th century. It is located on Acadie Street in Richibucto.

Heritage Value

   The Dr. Lawrence McLaren House is designated as a Local Historic Place for its architecture and for its association with the renowned Richibucto surgeon, Dr. Lawrence McLaren.
   This house is an example of a two-storey Georgian style residence. It was built in 1852-53 for Dr. Lawrence McLaren. The master carpenter was William Martin, who, according to the signed contract for the construction of the house, was paid £168 for his work. The building is rectangular in shape and has a hip roof. It still retains its basic original appearance although its windows have been replaced and it is covered with modern siding.
   The house’s interior retains much of its original or ancient detail. The plan of the main level has remained relatively intact and consists basically of a central hall that is flanked on both sides by two rooms. The hall is quite wide and is divided in two by an overhead arch. The staiway to the second floor is located at the end of the hall. The second floor plan has remained intact and consists of a central hall that is flanked by two bedrooms on both sides. Almost all of the interior original woodwork still remains, which includes the doors, the window and door frames, the baseboards and the baluster of the stairway leading to the second floor. The fireplace in the north parlour still has its beautiful wood surround. The house’s cellar is very shallow, being about a metre in depth near the centre; it has a dirt floor and stone walls.
   Dr. Lawrence McLaren was born in Charlottetown, P. E. I., in 1817. He pursued his studies in medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons at Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1834. After his return to Canada, he settled in Richibucto where he practised his profession for 25 years. He married Jane Murray Jardine in 1844. His medical office was located in this residence. His expertise in surgery was widely admired. He was also coroner for Kent County. In 1866, he moved to Saint John, N. B., where he continued his profession. He died in 1892.
   His son, Dr. Murray McLaren, who was born in the house, practised in Saint John where he attained much recognition. He became the federal Minister of Health and was also Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick.

The Royal Bank

Description of Historic Place

   The Royal Bank is a two-storey Boom Town style building with a pointed parapet on the main façade. It is located on Main Street in Richibucto.

Heritage Value

   The Royal Bank is designated as a Local Historic Place for its association with the Royal Bank of Canada as well as with the N. B. Telephone Co. Ltd.
   This two-storey building with its gable end wall facing the street is of the Boom Town style. The Royal Bank of Canada occupies the main floor and an apartment occupies the second floor. The building was constructed around 1937 following the destruction by fire of the previous building which was a store owned by Harry O’Leary. The Royal Bank of Canada moved into the new building as well as the N. B. Telephone Co. Ltd.; the second level was used as apartments.
   Harry’s father, Richard O’Leary, had owned the local telephone company. Richard, together with a Howard Robinson, built the New Brunswick Telephone Company with the amalgamation of various local or regional telephone systems. Richard O’Leary became Vice President of the provincial telephone company.

The Henry O’Leary House

Description of Historic Place

   The Henry O’Leary House is a two-and-a-half storey Victorian structure in the Queen Anne Revival style, with a tower on the front façade. It is located on Main Street in Richibucto.

Heritage Value

   The Henry O’Leary House is designated as a Local Historic Place for its architecture and for its association with the influential merchant Henry O’Leary.
   This impressive dwelling was built to reflect the economic status of its builder. It consists of a two-and-a-half storey building with a Dutch gambrel roof. In addition to the circular tower with a conical roof, the house possesses an extension on the south side and a projecting three-storey central bay on the front façade, both with Dutch gambrel roofs. There is also a veranda on the front façade with cylindrical columns that support the balcony above the veranda. The building retains much of its original detail. On the exterior, the tower still has its original decorative fish scale shingles. The decorative brackets under the eaves are also still extant. The original fenestration is still intact as are some of the original windows. Also extant are the decorative stained glass windows of the dining room and the coloured window panes of the double doors of the front balcony.
   The interior plan of the house has essentially remained intact. Still existing is the original woodwork such as the doors, the door and window frames, the baseboards and the baluster of the stairway leading to the second and third floors with their impressive newel posts. On the second floor, there is a superb hallway door with arched windows. There is also a fireplace with its original marble surround with double spiral side columns.
   In the back of the house stands the old barn that likely dates from the time of the house’s construction. It is depicted in Richibucto’s fire insurance map of 1906.
   The house was built by Henry O’Leary around 1874. O’Leary was born in Ireland in 1836 and came to America at the age of 16. He settled in Richibucto in 1855 where he became a merchant, shipbuilder and entrepreneur in the lumber business. He was also involved in maritime commerce and was an important land owner. At one time, the O’Leary family owned 27 lobster factories in Richibucto and elsewhere along the Northumberland Strait. He innovated in the technique of lobster canning with his system of vacuum sealed cans.
   Henry O’Leary left his mark in the political, economic and social life of Kent County for nearly fifty years. He represented the County at the House of Assembly of New Brunswick in the 1870s. He died in 1897.

The Télesphore Arsenault Residence

Description of Historic Place

   The Télesphore Arsenault Residence is a two-storey Second Empire style house from the early 1870's. It is located on Main Street in Richibucto.

Heritage Value

   The Télesphore Arsenault Residence is designated as a Local Historic Place for its architecture and for its association with the Acadian politician, Télesphore Arsenault.
   The architecture of this imposing building is an eclectic example of the Second Empire style. It has been carefully renovated by its current owners who respected its architectural details of the period. The house was built for Martin Flanagan Junior in the early 1870's. The master carpenter was Mathew Thompson. The Second Empire style is characterised by a mansard roof, but with a hipped upper portion in this example. The building still possesses its original exterior details such as the clapboard finish, the brackets under the eaves and the doors, as well as the door and window frames. The main windows on the first level are bay windows and those of the second level have arched pediments. A porch was added on the south side.
   On the interior, the original woodwork still exists: doors, door and window frames, baseboards and the baluster of the staircase leading to the second floor. There is an impressive double pocket door set underneath an arch between the living and dining rooms. The living room and dining room fireplaces were recently restored. The rear ell, built at the same time as the main house, still exists. This wing also has a mansard roof and its second floor windows have arched pediments.
   Its original owner, Martin Flanagan Junior (1840-1909), was a merchant and had a store in Richibucto as well as in Bouctouche. He married Sarah Jane Hamilton and the couple had eight children.
   Télesphore Arsenault bought the property in 1930. Télesphore was born in Baie Egmont, P. E. I., in 1872 and, at the age of 10, moved with his family to Adamsville, N. B., where he became a farmer. He was active in the administration of Kent County, having a seat in the county’s Council from 1913 to 1925. He was named Sheriff of Kent County in 1926. He moved to Richibucto in 1930 when he acquired the house. That same year, he was elected as representative for Kent County in Ottawa and occupied this position until his defeat in the elections of 1936. He then returned to his occupation as farmer and director of enterprises. He died in 1964.

The Camille Bordage Pharmacy

Description of Historic Place

   The Camille Bordage Pharmacy is a two-storey Boom Town style building. The main floor is reserved for commercial uses and the second floor houses an apartment. It is located on Main Street in Richibucto.

Heritage Value

   The Camille Bordage Pharmacy is designated as a Local Historic Place for its association with the businessman Camille Bordage and its association with a family of entrepreneurs. It is also representative of the evolution of a small business in the town of Richibucto.
   The operation of the pharmacy goes back to around 1933 when the lot on which the building stands was acquired by Auguste Bordage, father of Camille. An oral tradition says that the original building was moved to its present site.
   The building underwent at least three expansions. In 1937, Camille added a few feet to the lot, on the north side and at the rear. This is possibly an indication as to when a small addition, used as an ice cream parlour, was added on the north side of the building. Some time later, this small addition was itself enlarged and a second storey added over the whole building. This second floor housed an apartment in which lived Camille Bordage and his family. In spite of the several additions and renovations, the building still retains its Boom Town appearance. Its fenestration is essentially the same as that which existed in the 1940's.
   Camille Bordage was born in Saint-Louis-de-Kent in 1905. He studied at the Collège Sacré-Coeur in Bathurst, N. B. He married a second time to Audrey Graham, daughter of Jack Graham Esquire of Richibucto in 1938. Camille represented Kent County at the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1964 to 1967. Camille’s father, Auguste Bordage, was a general merchant in the neighbouring village of Saint-Louis-de-Kent.
   The property on which stands the pharmacy was that of the old Phinney tinsmith shop. This enterprise was operated by Zaccheus Phinney in the 1870's and later by his son, Robert Phinney, also a tinsmith, until the early 20th century. The tinsmith shop building was no longer in existence in 1932.

The Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague Church

Description of Historic Place

   The Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague Church is a modern circular building, covered in limestone, with an undulating concrete roof. It is located on Main Street in Richibucto.

Heritage Value

   The Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague Church is designated as a Local Historic Place for its architecture and for its use as a place of worship.
   This architectural gem is representative of a long and ancient tradition of building impressive religious monuments. It is one of the most remarkable churches of the Modern Movement in Atlantic Canada and even in all of Canada. This ultra modern structure was built in 1964-65. Its elegant roof consists of twelve parabolic groin vaults of varying heights in gradation that contains stained glass windows. The form of the building is circular and the walls are covered in cut limestone. Its steeple consists of a separate concrete tower that is joined to the main building by a portico. One can imagine symbols of the sea reflected in the church’s architecture: the undulating form of the roof which resemble the waves of the sea (as well as a scallop shell) and its bell tower that resembles a lighthouse. However, these symbols weren’t the inspiration for the church’s architects. The influence of the Los Manantiales restaurant in Xochimiloc, Mexico, would not have been lost on the architects of the church. The restaurant, designed by Félix Candela and built in 1958, was one of the most publicized examples of modern architecture at the time. Nevertheless, the main stained glass window which rises behind the altar depicts a fishing scene. On the interior, the pews form semi-circles around the altar. They can accommodate 700 people.
   The architectural firm responsible for the church was Bélanger et Roy of Moncton, with Arcade Albert as its design architect. The building contractor for the Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague church was Pelletier Construction Co. Ltée of Trois-Rivières, Québec. The stained glass windows are the work of the Italians Mario Mauro and Carlo Mozardo. The construction cost of the building was around $485,000.
   This church replaced the former one that was built in 1864, when Richibucto was a mission of Saint-Louis-de-Kent. Richibucto became a parish in 1884.

The Presbyterian Church

Description of Historic Place

   The Presbyterian Church is an Italianate building with some elements inspired by Neo-Gothic religious architecture of the period. It has a gable roof with a steeple that sits at one end of the roof. Its arched windows are of the Roman style. The building is located on Acadie Street in Richibucto.

Heritage Value

   The Presbyterian Church is designated as a Local Historic Place for its architecture and for its use as a place of worship.
   This church is a fine example of Italianate religious architecture with Neo-Gothic elements of the late 19th century. It is distinguished by its Roman style windows and its steeple that sits on one end of the roof. This type of steeple, rarely found among protestant churches, is not original but was added in the first half of the 20th century. The building is covered with modern siding in imitation of its original clapboard finish. The church still has its original fenestration complete with its original window frames. The double window with oculus on the front façade has remained intact and still retains its coloured panes. The front porch is not original, having replaced a smaller original porch in 1994 when the building was placed on a new foundation. The main door of the church, located inside the front porch, is original. The steep inclination of the roof, as well as the decorative barge boards and finials that are evident in the historic photographs, reflect the influence of Neo-Gothic architecture of the period.
   On the interior, the building still retains part of the original window frames. Also extant is the original wainscoting on the lower part of the plaster walls with chair rails. The wainscoting consists of narrow vertical sheathing boards that are decorated with a double bead. Exposed roof trusses of the cathedral ceiling consist of chamfered timbers.
   The Presbyterian Church opened its doors in 1888. This religious temple later housed the congregation of the United Baptists which was formed by the amalgamation of the Presbyterians, Methodists and Congregationalists in 1925. It later became a Baptist church and, since 2006, houses the Église Baptiste française (French Baptist Church) of Richibucto.

The Masonic Hall

Description of Historic Place

   The Masonic Hall is a two-storey gabled roof vernacular style building with the gable end wall facing the street. It is located on Main Street in Richibucto.

Heritage Value

   The Masonic Hall is designated as a Local Historic Place for its architecture and for its association with the Freemasons.
   Because the building has been covered up with modern siding, even over the windows, there is little that remains of original exterior details. However, the building still conserves its original form, reflecting the vernacular architecture of a rural institutional building of the time.
   On the second level of the building, where is the Masonic Hall itself, almost all of the original details remain intact: the plaster walls, the windows, the doors and the woodwork. In the centre of the vaulted ceiling is a raised star cast in plaster. The walls are decorated with trompe l’oeil in imitation of panelling. This remarkable state of preservation is due to the fact that this large room was used as storage space for a furniture company that occupied the building since its acquisition from the Freemasons.
   This Masonic Hall is one of the oldest non-residential buildings in Richibucto, and dates back to circa 1867. In the deed between the Masonic representatives of the Saint Andrews Lodge No. 346, signed on September 19, 1866, it is indicated that the lot is “to be used for the purpose of erecting a Masonic Hall.”
   On a detailed map of Richibucto of 1906 (Fire Insurance Plan), the building has the inscription: “Printing 1st Hall Over.” This indicates that there was a printing business on the main floor with the Masonic Hall on the second floor. This is where the weekly newspaper The Review was published from 1889 to 1914.
   The Saint Andrews Lodge, established in Richibucto in 1856, was one of only three Scottish lodges in the province. However, the Freemasons were already present here since 1820 with the constitution of the St. Lawrence Lodge No. 43.
   The Lounsbury Company purchased the building in 1961 to serve as storage space. This same company had acquired the adjoining property on the north in 1947 to construct a building for the sale of furniture, household appliances and automobiles. The two buildings were later joined together.

The John Stevenson House

Description of Historic Place

   The John Stevenson House is a two-storey Second Empire style dwelling from the late 19th century. It is located on Main Street, at the corner of Legion Street, in Richibucto.

Heritage Value

   The John Stevenson House is designated as a Local Historic Place for its architecture and for its association with the Stevenson family.
   The impressive residence of John Stevenson is a fine example of Second Empire Victorian architecture. This style is characterised by a mansard roof, but with a hipped upper slope in this example. The building is very well preserved and maintains much of its original detail. Almost all of its original exterior decorations are still extant, such as the detailed brackets under the eaves and the window frames. The north wall still has its original shingle finish. The original glassed-in front porch and veranda are gone, having been replaced with a smaller open porch in the first half of the 20th century. The two original chimneys have also been removed while a large exterior fireplace chimney was added on the south gable wall.
   The house’s interior has also been very well preserved. Almost all of its original woodwork still remains, such as the doors, the window and door frames, the baseboard and the baluster of the staircase leading to the second floor. The floor plan of the first level has remained relatively intact and consists basically of a central hall that is flanked by two rooms on both sides. There is an overhead arch in the hall and the staircase to the second floor is located at the end of the hall.
In the back of the house is the original two-storey ell with a mansard roof. Further back of the house still stands the old stable or barn. Previously, a one-and-a-half storey extension behind the ell connected the house with the barn.
   John Stevenson purchased the lot in 1884, which indicates the approximate date of the building. However, in the deed, it is mentioned that there was an existing house on the property. This house was occupied by three daughters of Dr. Rufus Smith of Sackville, N. B., these being Elisabeth, Mary and Matilda. They had purchased the property from Thomas A. Wood in 1847. In this latter deed, it is mentioned that there was an existing house on the property built by Wood. Thomas Wood was a teacher and principal of Richibucto’s Grammar School and later became a school inspector. His daughter was the second wife of reverend James Law, father of Bonar Law who was Prime Minister of Great Britain.
   John Stevenson was a surveyor by trade. His son, Leigh F. Stevenson, who was born in this house in 1895, had a distiguished career with the Canadian Armed Forces, acheiving the title of Air Vice-Marshal. Another son, Lieutenant Herbert Irving Stevenson, also had a distiguished military career.

The Lestock DesBrisay House

Description of Historic Place

   The Lestock DesBrisay House is a one-storey Regency style dwelling with a low-pitched hipped roof. It is located on Main Street at the corner of Cunard Street in Richibucto.

Heritage Value

   The Lestock DesBrisay House is designated as a Local Historic Place for its architecture and for its association with the merchant Lestock Peach Wilson DesBrisay.
   The building, a rare example of Regency style, is remarkably well preserved and retains much of its original detail. The original house consists of a rectangular structure with a hipped roof. Two chimneys rise above the two smaller sides of the roof which give the building a perfect symmetry with its facade. Its exterior stucco finish is not original; the original finish was a layer of smooth horizontal boards or planks – a common feature found in early Richibucto houses. The front door has sidelights as well as a fanlight. The house’s windows were recently replaced but the original fenestration remains the same.
   The interior retains much of its older or original detail. This comprises almost all of the woodwork such as the doors, the door and window frames, the panels underneath the bay windows and the baseboards. The old lock with its wooden case is still found attached on the inside of the front door.
The house’s floor plan consists essentially of a central hall that is flanked by two rooms on both sides. The two existing fireplaces, located in each of the two front rooms, apparently replaced the original fireplaces in 1937.
   The original part of the house is of upright plank construction. That is to say, its walls consist of a solid row of vertical three-inch thick planks that are set side by side. This type of construction is commonly found in the older houses of Richibucto. The building’s rafters are axe hewn as are the joists of the main floor. A trim in the framing of the floor of the rear ell indicates the original presence of a cooking fireplace.
   The ell at the rear of the building was added a few years after the erection of the main house. The ell still retains its two dormers which are both located on the south slope of the roof.
According to oral tradition, the house was built by Lestock Peach Wilson DesBrisay (1820-1872), one of the most influential merchants of Richibucto in the 19th century. This would have been around 1841, the year he purchased the property and the same year he married. DesBrisay owned a store and was involved in the exportation of lumber and merchandise. He was also involved in shipbuilding. He owned two sawmills, one located in Richibucto and the other in the neighbouring town of Rexton. DesBrisay also represented Kent County in the Legislature of New Brunswick between 1855 and 1867 and was one of the principal figures responsible for the province’s entering into Canada’s Confederation.
   Another tradition, however, says that the house was built in 1832. If such is the case, it would have been built by Joseph Cunard, brother of Samuel Cunard of the renowned Cunard Lines shipbuilders. Supporting this version is the fact that Cunard purchased the property in 1831.
   The house was later in the possession of two generations of tinsmiths, from 1872 to 1925. Zaccheus Phinney and his son Robert Phinney operated a tinsmith shop that was located at the south east corner of the property, on Main Street.

The McLeod-Mundle House

Description of Historic Place

   The McLeod-Mundle House is a one-and-a-half storey vernacular house with a gable roof that was built around 1831. The house is located on a one-acre lot on Main Street in Richibucto.

Heritage Value

   The McLeod-Mundle House is designated as a Local Historic Place for its architecture and for its association with two notable families of Richibucto, namely the McLeods and the Mundles.
   This house is an example of vernacular architecture with Neo-Classical influences. This venerable dwelling still retains its ancient appearance with its original fenestration. The front façade has five bays which consist of a central door that is flanked on both sides by two windows. This door is located inside a two-storey porch that has windows on three sides. The house still has its ell or summer kitchen at the rear.
   The interior of the dwelling still has much of its old or original detail such as the doors, the door and window frames, most of the panelling under the windows of the main level and the baseboards. On the second level, the small attic doors still retain their hand-forged strap hinges.
The post and beam frame of the main house is of the H-bent type. The timbers are axe-hewn and are joined together with mortises, tenons and wooden pins. In the frame of the main floor there are two trims, located one at each end of the house. These indicate the existence of two original fireplaces. The south one is larger, suggesting that this one was a cooking fireplace.
   The second level of the ell still retains its original plaster walls as well as the original doors and door frames of the side attics. Graffiti on these walls, inscribed in pencil, date back to the 1940's.
The house was built by around 1831 by the Scotsman, William McLeod (1792-1861), who arrived in Richibucto around 1817. A merchant by trade, he prospered in shipbuilding as well as in the export of lumber and merchandise. He was co-owner of the Custom House in Saint John with the renowned brewer Alexander Keith.
   William’s son, George McLeod, was born in the house in 1836. George greatly increased his father’s enterprises and became one of the most important merchants of Kent County. He owned sawmills at Richibucto, Kouchibouguac and Bouctouche. These mills supplied his main enterprise which was shipbuilding. He built ships in Richibucto, Kouchibouguac and Bouctouche as well as on the Saint John River.
   In 1873, George owned more than 3,380 acres of land in Kent County, consisting of woodlots which supplied his mills. He also owned a store in Richibucto which was located across from his residence. In 1870, he built one of the largest wharves in the port city of Saint John.
George McLeod was also a politician and represented Kent County in Ottawa from 1874 to 1878. He left Richibucto in 1879 to establish businesses in Miramichi. He died in Saint John in 1905.
David I. Mundle acquired the property in 1900. He was an important farmer and possessed two other farms consisting of 80 acres, as well as a 100-acre lot at Marsh Point (Morgan Street area). He also operated a horse-drawn taxi service in Richibucto. His son Oswald inherited the property in 1932. Oswald also ran a large fox farm. The house is still in the possession of descendants of the Mundle family.