Municipal Register of Local Historic Places

Café d'la vieille forge

Saint-Jacques, New Brunswick

View of the facade of the "café d'la vieille forge"

View of the facade of the "café d'la vieille forge"

Photo: Société historique du Madawaska

Recognized
2006
By
Local government

The register’s text, word for word

Description

The Café d’la vieille forge is located in the heart of the Saint-Jacques ward of the city of Edmundston, on Principale Street. Built around 1912, the Café d'la vieille forge is a single story example of commercial architecture known as the trading house style.

Heritage value

The Café d'la vieille forge is designated a Local Historic Place for having been a smithy for many years. This smithy located in Saint-Jacques was the only one of its kind in this former village. Between 1912 and 1987, it was handed down from generation to generation, after which, it was sold and turned into a warehouse. It is a rare example of the trading house style from the early 1900's. Its plain rectangular single-story design is apparent today.

The Café d'la vieille forge is also designated for its importance to the development of the Saint-Jacques community. As a smithy, it played an essential role for the citizens of Saint-Jacques as a source for both horse shoeing and nails for construction. Smithies in the Edmundston area were always an essential part of a well-functionning community.

SourceSociété Historique du Madawaska, Site File: Café d’la vieille forge

Character‑defining elements

The character-defining elements that describe the Café d'la vieille forge include:

  • single-story rectangular massing;
  • front façade formed by a parapet wall that hides the roof and accentuates the façade’s dimensions;
  • veranda;
  • rear shop.

End of the register’s text

Location

223 Principale Street, Saint-Jacques, Edmundston, New Brunswick, E7B, Canada

47.42814° N, 68.38483° W

Get directions (opens in a new tab)

Being on the register doesn’t make a place open to visitors. Many are private homes or businesses; please view them from the street.

Loading map…

Nearby

Similar places

Places whose register descriptions are closest to this one.

From the Canadian Register of Historic Places, as last updated on December 12, 2025. The register’s text is shown word for word.