Rothesay, New Brunswick, is a charming town nestled in Kings County, Canada. It shares its borders with the City of Saint John and the town of Quispamsis, along the picturesque Kennebecasis River.
Rothesay is strategically located along the lower Kennebecasis River valley. It is served by a secondary mainline of the Canadian National Railway, although passenger service is no longer available. The town's proximity to Saint John and Quispamsis makes it a convenient location for residents and visitors alike.
Rothesay's history is steeped in shipbuilding and the summer home community for Saint John's wealthy elite, which began with the arrival of the European and North American Railway in 1853. The town's name is believed to have been bestowed in honour of the visiting Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, in 1860. The area reminded him of Rothesay, on the Isle of Bute, in Scotland.
In 1870, a Saint John-owned ship named Rothesay made a famous voyage when a 20-year-old woman named Bessie Hall took command of the fever-stricken ship and sailed it from Florida to Liverpool, England.
Today, Rothesay is home to many historical landmarks, such as the Rothesay Common, the Rothesay Yacht Club, and the former train station, one of the last remaining examples of early railway architecture in Canada. The town also boasts numerous places of worship, recreation areas, and local retail outlets.
According to a 2015 Canadian Business article, the top five richest neighbourhoods in New Brunswick are all located within Rothesay. The town is served by the Kennebecasis Regional Police Force and lies in the Anglophone South School District. Schools in the area include Rothesay Park School, Rothesay High School, and Rothesay Netherwood School.
As per the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Rothesay had a population of 11,977 living in 4,873 of its 5,007 total private dwellings. This was a 2.7% increase from its 2016 population of 11,659. With a land area of 34.59 km2 (13.36 sq mi), it had a population density of 346.3/km2 (896.8/sq mi) in 2021.
In 1998, the former incorporated villages of East Riverside-Kinghurst, Fairvale, and Renforth; the town of Rothesay; and part of the community of Wells in the local service district of the Rothesay Parish were amalgamated to form the town of Rothesay. The town motto, Quinque luncta In Uno (Five United In One), represents the joining together of the five founding communities.
While there have been discussions about further amalgamating Rothesay with Quispamsis, these have not proceeded beyond the discussion phase. However, the two municipalities collaborate extensively to share services and facilities.
Rothesay, New Brunswick, is a town that beautifully blends history with modernity, offering a unique experience to its residents and visitors.
