Petit-Rocher, New Brunswick

Petit-Rocher
Petit-Rocher
Former village
	Petit-Rocher welcome sign
	Seal
	Motto: Ascencio Populi
	Petit-Rocher Location within New Brunswick
	Coordinates: 47°47′36″N 65°42′58″W / 47.79333°N 65.71611°W
Country	Canada
Province	New Brunswick
County	Gloucester
Parish	Beresford
Founded	1797
Village	1966
Dissolved	2023
Area
• Total	4.52 km2 (1.75 sq mi)
Population (2021)
• Total	1,954
• Density	432.2/km2 (1,119/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-4 (AST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-3 (ADT)
Postal code	E8J
Area code	506
Highways	Route 11, Route 134, Route 315

Petit-Rocher (French pronunciation: [pəti ʁɔʃe]; meaning “little rock”) is a former village in Gloucester County, New Brunswick, Canada. On January 1, 2023, it was dissolved as an incorporated village and became part of the new town of Belle-Baie following province-wide local government reforms. The name Petit-Rocher is still retained for Address purposes.

The community is located on the western shore of Nepisiquit Bay, approximately 20 kilometres north of Bathurst. Prior to amalgamation, it was bordered by the former local service districts of Petit-Rocher-Nord (Devereaux) to the north and Petit-Rocher-Sud to the south.

History

Petit-Rocher was founded in 1797 by Acadian settlers. The name refers to a small rocky outcrop along the shoreline and is of French origin. During the 19th century, the settlement appeared under several names, including Little Roche and Madisco, before Petit Rocher became the standard form. The hyphenated spelling Petit-Rocher was officially adopted in 2009.^[1]

As part of New Brunswick’s local governance reform, Petit-Rocher amalgamated with Beresford, Nigadoo, Pointe-Verte, and surrounding local service districts to form the town of Belle-Baie on January 1, 2023.^[2]

Demographics

In the 2021 Canadian census, Petit-Rocher recorded a population of 1,954 residents living in 890 of its 963 private dwellings, representing a slight increase from the 2016 census. With a land area of 4.52 km², the population density was 432.2 people per square kilometre.^[3]

French is the predominant mother tongue in the community , reflecting its Acadian cultural heritage. AS of the last census in 2021, 89% of the population mother tongue is French, 8% mother tongue is English and 3% is both English and French.

Transportation

Petit-Rocher is served by the Ocean passenger train operated by VIA Rail, which runs between Montreal and Halifax. The station operates as a flag stop and is located west of the community. A replica station building was constructed in 2010 following the demolition of the original station in 1990.

Tourism

Petit-Rocher has hosted regional sporting and cultural events, including tournaments organized by the Campbellton–Chaleur Ball Hockey Association during the early 2010s.

References

^ Alan Rayburn, Geographical Names of New Brunswick, Energy, Mines and Resources Canada, Ottawa, 1975, p. 215.
^ "Local Governments Establishment Regulation – Local Governance Act". Government of New Brunswick. October 12, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
^ "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population – Petit-Rocher". Statistics Canada. December 6, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2023.

External links

Petit-Rocher – Acadie-Bathurst

[1] Alan Rayburn, Geographical Names of New Brunswick, Energy, Mines and Resources Canada, Ottawa, 1975, p. 215.

[2] "Local Governments Establishment Regulation – Local Governance Act". Government of New Brunswick. October 12, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2023.

[census2021-3] "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population – Petit-Rocher". Statistics Canada. December 6, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2023.

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