Centreville, New Brunswick, is a former village nestled in Carleton County, Canada. Despite losing its village status in 2023, Centreville remains a vibrant part of the larger town of Carleton North.
Located just two miles from the Maine, US border at the Bridgewater crossing, Centreville is a bustling hub of activity. The town boasts several stores, including Valufoods (formerly Freshmart), a Home Hardware store, and Leon Banks. Shoppers can also find quality ladies' clothing and extensive giftware at two local stores.
Centreville was home to the M&D Convenience Store & Gas Bar until its closure in 2017. The town also houses three churches: St. James Anglican Church, St. Pauls United Church, and the Centreville Baptist Church. Additional amenities include a hair studio, a banking co-operative, and a post office.
Centreville serves as a service centre for smaller communities such as Knoxford, Williamstown, and Tracey Mills. The town is also known for its large farming community and its annual tractor pulls, a popular event that draws crowds from far and wide.
Centreville's history dates back to 1821 when it was founded by Thomas Johnston, an immigrant from Ireland. The town saw the construction of a railroad in October 1896, which was halted due to funding issues but resumed and completed by October 1, 1914.
Centreville was connected to the town of Woodstock via its first telephone line in 1894, with additional lines to surrounding areas added in 1902. By February 1924, the installation of the electric line was completed, bringing electricity to Centreville.
The town's annual tractor pull event, a beloved pastime, began with farmers competing to tow the heaviest weight for bragging rights. Today, it has evolved into a weekend-long event featuring modified tractors and trucks.
On January 1, 2023, Centreville amalgamated with the town of Florenceville-Bristol, the village of Bath, and parts of nine local service districts to form the new town of Carleton North. Despite this, the community's name, Centreville, remains in official use.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Centreville had a population of 508 living in 254 of its 263 total private dwellings. This represented a change of -8.8% from its 2016 population of 557. With a land area of 2.67 km2 (1.03 sq mi), Centreville had a population density of 190.3/km2 (492.8/sq mi) in 2021.
