Renforth

Renforth was originally a recreation area in the 1800s for people who visited from Saint John by horse and buggy to enjoy the beauty of the Kennebecasis River. At that time the area now known as Kennebecasis Park was the site of a militia training camp. Nearby the Saint John YMCA established a river front camp in 1899 named the Chalet. The summer community that grew up around it also became known as the Chalet. That named was changed in 1903 to Renforth, to honour the British rower, James Renforth. Renforth died in 1871 following a race between his English team and a local team.

History

Rowing: The Legacy of Renforth (Website)
Fox Farm Road: A Scrapbook History of the Fox Farming Industry in Renforth

Photo Gallery

: Boats on the Kennebecasis River are filled with people waiting to catch a glimpse of King George VI and his wife Queen Elizabeth, as their train travelled through Renforth, 1939.

: Jack Fitzgerald of Renforth served in three wars, the Boer War, World War l and World War ll. He ran Fitzgerald’s Store and Post Office and was an active member of the community. (Courtesy of Joan Fitzgerald)

: Renforth Community Club, 1921

: The Chalet, which gave Renforth it’s original name.

: Renforth train station, 1920s

: Rothesay mayor Bill Artiss and Joan Fitzgerald, former clerk for the villages of Renforth and East Riverside, hold a photograph of Jack Fitzgerald, her father. Miss Fitzgerald, as well as being village clerk, followed in her father’s footsteps in running Colwell’s Store and post office for years, circa 2005.

: Bill McGuire, onetime mayor of Renforth and contributor to countless community endeavours, shares a moment with hockey great Bobby Orr, 18 at the time, June, 1967. (Courtesy Peter McGuire)

: Bill McGuire accepts a trophy from the president of the CNR hockey league, 1954. (Courtesy Peter McGuire)

: Souvenir program from Renforth Regatta, 1971.

: Original Renforth clubhouse, located near the train tracks in Renforth, 1939.

: Aerial view of Kennebecasis Park, 1960s.

: Myrtle Burnham, who had trained as a nurse, turned 100 on July 1, 1980, the same day Canada turned 113. (Courtesy Elizabeth Burnham Lowe)

: The original St. James The Less Anglican Church, Renforth.

: The first service was held at St. James The Less July 13, 1902.

: This aerial view shows the original entrance to the Villa Madonna.

: Silver Fox pelts were very popular in the early 1900s. What is now known as Fox Farm Road in the early 1900s led to the Imperial Ranch, a fox breeding farm. (Courtesy Peggy Kelbaugh)

: Fundy Fox Company existed in the early 1900s, with offices in Saint John and Boston. The head keeper for the company, a Mr Allaby, lived in this house on Fox Farm Rd. The house is still there. (Courtesy Clare Walsh)

: Young men ham it up at Clarence Brown’s garage, across from what was Rothesay Consolidated School, now known as Rothesay Park School. The garage opened shortly after the school, circa 1915. (Courtesy Clare Walsh)

: Colwell’s Store was built in 1946 and operated under different managements, including the Steiner family who bought it in 1984 and ran it for 25 years. (Courtesy Jude Carson)

: The 1921 Renforth Regatta, seen from across a log boom.

: Jessie and Jack Fitzgerald with Jack’s sister, Blanche Carney, at their first store.

: Joan Fitzgerald was administrator for both Renforth and East Riverside Kingshurst for many years and also ran Fitzgerald’s Store and Post Office after her parents. Betty Miller was a well known hairdresser for local residents and also hosted a summer garden party for seniors for many years. (Courtesy Jude Carson)