Tide Head, a community nestled in Campbellton, New Brunswick, Canada, is a place rich in history and natural beauty. Once a village, Tide Head has been part of Campbellton since 2023, but its unique identity remains intact.
The history of Tide Head, New Brunswick, dates back to the time when Scottish settlers first inhabited the area. The Moffats, Gerrards, Duncans, Adams, Duffs, Barclays, Christophers, and Ayletts were among the first families to own farms in the area. Notable early settlers include James Aylett, a British subject in the 20th regiment of his Majesty's Army, Thomas Barclay, a Scotsman, and Robert Adams. These pioneers are buried in the Athol House Cemetery near Frasers Mill, which dates back to 1791 and is the oldest British Cemetery in Restigouche County.
The railway that passes through Tide Head was initiated in 1875, with the first train heading west in 1878. The train passes through a tunnel in the hillside of Morrisey Rock, the only active tunnel on the railway system in the Maritimes.
Tide Head was incorporated as a village in 1966, with Jim Adams serving as the first mayor. The most recent mayor of Tide Head was Randy Hunter. On 1 January 2023, Tide Head amalgamated with the city of Campbellton, but the community's name remains in official use. Known as the Fiddlehead Capital of the World, Tide Head is predominantly English-speaking.
Tide Head, New Brunswick, is located on the south bank of the Restigouche River, 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Downtown Campbellton. The village is situated where the tides on the Restigouche River cease to become visible, which is the origin of its name.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Tide Head had a population of 951 living in 419 of its 433 total private dwellings. This represented a change of 1.4% from its 2016 population of 938. With a land area of 19.34 km2 (7.47 sq mi), Tide Head had a population density of 49.2/km2 (127.4/sq mi) in 2021.
