Hillsborough, New Brunswick, is a charming community nestled in the heart of Albert County. Once an independent village, Hillsborough is now part of the larger incorporated village of Fundy Albert since 2023. Perched on a hill overlooking the Petitcodiac River, Hillsborough is the largest settlement in Hillsborough Parish and is conveniently located near the intersection of Route 910 and Route 114.
Hillsborough's history dates back to around 1700 when it was established as "Blanchard's Village" by Acadian farmers. These early settlers built dykes that are still in use today. Before the Great Expulsion of the Acadians in 1755, the area was predominantly French. Today, few Acadians live there, but several Acadian settlements can be found on the opposite bank of the Petitcodiac River, such as Pre d'en Haut, New Brunswick.
On September 4, 1755, the Battle of Petitcodiac was fought near Hillsborough. This battle was part of the British's efforts to gain control over the region during the Seven Years' War. The site of this historic battle is marked by a National Historic Sites and Monument plaque.
In 1766, a group of settlers led by Matthias Somers, Michael Lutz, Jacob Trietz (Trites), Charles Jones, and Heinrich Stieff (Steeves) arrived in the area. The Steeves family, in particular, has left a lasting legacy in Hillsborough, with the name still common among residents today.
On January 1, 2023, Hillsborough amalgamated with the villages of Alma and Riverside-Albert and parts of five local service districts to form the new village of Fundy Albert. Despite this, the community's name, Hillsborough, remains in official use.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Hillsborough had a population of 1,348 living in 559 of its 590 total private dwellings. This represented a 5.6% increase from its 2016 population of 1,277. With a land area of 12.81 km2 (4.95 sq mi), Hillsborough had a population density of 105.2/km2 (272.5/sq mi) in 2021.
Hillsborough is home to several notable places. The Albert County Chamber of Commerce, the historic New Brunswick Railway Museum, and the Hon. William Henry Steeves House Museum are all located here. Grays Island, a cemetery, is another place of interest. Surrey, another community, was also amalgamated into Hillsborough.
Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or just looking for a charming community to explore, Hillsborough, New Brunswick, has something for everyone.
