City history
From its roots in Mi'kmaq territory to its emergence as a vital Atlantic railway hub, discover the time-honored history of Moncton, New Brunswick.
Chapter one
Earliest documented name
"Mi'kmaq territory"
The region surrounding Moncton is part of the ancestral territory of the Mi'kmaq people. While specific Mi'kmaq names for the immediate site were not recorded in early colonial documents, the area was integral to Mi'kmaq life.
Named after the Montreuil family
The name is widely attributed to the Montreuil family, specifically in honor of William Montreuil, an early settler in the region.
Chapter two
The expansion of the Intercolonial Railway necessitated the adoption of standardized time across the Maritimes to synchronize transit schedules.
New Brunswick, including Moncton, participated in the standardized observation of Daylight Saving Time to optimize energy and daylight use.
Chapter three
Moncton officially achieved town status, establishing a formal local government to manage its growing population.
The completion of the Intercolonial Railway transformed Moncton into one of Canada's most critical transportation junctions.
During the war, Moncton served as a strategic staging and supply point for the movement of troops and equipment.
A period of significant commercial and residential development reshaped the city's layout and economic footprint.