History of Bouctouche, Kent, New Brunswick, Canada

Acadian families returning from exile settled in Bouctouche as early as 1784, followed by the English after 1800.

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On May 15, 1786 four couples from the families of Le Blanc, Breau, Bastarache and Girouard, names still common in the area, set off from further down the coast to form a new settlement in Bouctouche.

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1871 - Bouctouche
in 1871 "Buctouche" had a population of 500: in 1898 it was a sub-port of entry and the terminus of the Moncton and Buctouche Railway: Bouctouche also had 1 post office, 12 stores, 4 hotels, 1 butter factory, 1 grist mill, 1 sawmill, 2 carding mills, 1 boot and shoe factory, 1 tannery, 3 smelt packing plants, a quarry, oyster beds, 4 churches and a population of 800.
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Father François-Xavier Joseph Michaud arrived as parish priest in Bouctouche on December 17, 1876. He served until 1903.

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1879 - THE GREAT NEW BRUNSWICK STORM. A TERRIFIC TEMPEST DESTROYS FOUR SCORE HOUSES - THE WATERSPOUT - MANY PERSONS WOUNDED AND SOME KILLED.
St. John, New Brunswick, Aug. 11. - An extra edition of the Moniteur Acadien contains the following particulars of the great storm at Buctouche:

About 1 o'clock Wednesday afternoon the sky was covered with dark, thick clouds, and heavy thunder-claps were heard in the distance. This presaged a tempest, but nobody expected the terrific one that so frightened the peoople of North Bank. Some thick clouds plowed the sky, and two especially, enormously large and black, approached each other from opposite directions, and came into collision at Rich Cove, about two miles above St. Mary's Church. The shock was terrible, forming a waterspout conical in shape and frightful in size. The cyclone, moving toward the east, traversed several small woods, uprooting and raising everything in the course of its passage for a width of two acres. Three farm houses, with barns and stock, were scattered about the fields. After describing a circle toward the north, the waterspout fell upon a barn and... Read MORE...

1890 - Buctouche
"Buctouche, vil., New Brunswick, co. Kent. on B. river, 21 m. NNE. of Shediac. P. 500. Contains shipyards."
The Pocket Atlas and Gazetteer of the Dominion of Canada
John George Bartholomew John Murdoch Harper January 1, 1890 London : J. Walker

1892 - WORK OF SMUGGLERS. Prominent Citizens Charged with Firing Bouctouche to Cover Their Crimes.
MONCTON, N. B.., Sept. 28. Evidence accumulates that the fire which destroyed Bouctouche last week was set by incendiaries who wished to cover up their smuggling. Two young men, one named Renoud, son of the collector of customs, and a
former member of parliament, have been arrested, charged with incendiarism and when the sheriff was taking them to jail he was fired at from the woods, showing the existence of a band of desperadoes. The inhabitants of the village are terrorized and dare not openly give expression to their suspicions.
Oswego, NY Daily Times
Oswego, New York
September 28, 1892

Bouctouche was incorporated as a village in 1966 and as a town in 1985

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Here's a list of places to visit and things to do in Bouctouche:
Le Pays de la Sagouine: Start your Bouctouche adventure by visiting Le Pays de la Sagouine, a living museum that celebrates Acadian culture. Explore the recreated 19th-century village, watch entertaining performances, and enjoy traditional Acadian cuisine.

Irving Arboretum: Discover the beauty of nature at the Irving Arboretum, a lush green space filled with a variety of trees and plants. It's an excellent spot for a leisurely walk, picnicking, or birdwatching.

La Dune de Bouctouche: La Dune de Bouctouche, also known as Bouctouche Dunes, is a must-visit natural wonder. This stunning sand dune stretches along the coast and offers a pristine beach, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing.

Kouchibouguac National Park: Just a short drive from Bouctouche, you'll find Kouchibouguac National Park. This park offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, kayaking, and wildlife viewing. Don't miss the chance to paddle through the park's many... Read MORE...