Looking southwest on Water Street
Photo: Province of New Brunswick
- Recognized
- 1999
- By
- Province of New Brunswick
The register’s text, word for word
Description
Water Street Historic District is a business area that runs alongside the Miramichi River for half a kilometre in the former town of Chatham, now the City of Miramichi. This district, comprising upwards of 60 buildings including numerous 19th-century commercial buildings, takes in the section of Water Street between King and Duke streets and Cunard Street between Duke and Water streets.
Heritage value
Water Street Historic District is designated a Provincial Historic Site for its economic activities, its well-known figures, and for the architecture of its buildings.
The heritage value of Water Street Historic District is related to the development of the community through the numerous economic activities that occurred there. The transportation, shipbuilding, lumber, and general commerce industries existed side by side in this district.
Its heritage value is also related to important local figures. For example, Joseph Cunard set up a large shipyard and a flourishing lumber industry there, along with many businesses. The businesses operated by the Bennett, Tweedie, Snowball, Loggie, Peabody, Johnson, Williston, Muirhead, Pallen, and Kerr families also had a major impact on the region’s economic development.
Water Street Historic District is recognized for its architectural value in all of the buildings making up the district. The commercial and merchant architecture reflects the prosperity of this community in the last century. Most of the buildings in this district were built between 1820 and the early 20th century. The various commercial architectural styles from this periods evident in this historic disctrict include Italianate, Foursquare, Classic Revival, Dutch Colonial and Boomtown.
Character‑defining elements
The character-defining elements that describe Water Street Historic District include:
- architectural quality of the district's buildings;
- diversity of building types from the period, including Italianate, Foursquare, Classic Revival, Dutch Colonial and Boomtown;
- variety of businesses or establishments;
- linear sprawl along the river.
End of the register’s text
Location
Water Street and Cunard Street, Miramichi, New Brunswick, E1N, Canada
47.02993° N, 65.47019° 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…
Similar places
Places whose register descriptions are closest to this one.
Water Street Historic District National Historic Site of CanadaSt. John's, Newfoundland And Labrador
Commercial BuildingMiramichi, New Brunswick
Chatham Railway StationMiramichi, New Brunswick
Pallen BuildingMiramichi, New Brunswick
24 Water StreetCharlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Street BuildingSt. Andrews, New Brunswick
From the Canadian Register of Historic Places, as last updated on December 12, 2025. The register’s text is shown word for word.