Editing Miramichi, New Brunswick (section)

==Visitor attractions==
[[File:French fort Cove.JPG|thumb|upright|French Fort Cove]]The [[Miramichi River]] is the centre of all activity. The communities that compose the city line its banks.

[[Beaubears Island]], located in the middle of the Miramichi River between Newcastle and Nelson-Miramichi, is home to two National Historic Sites, Boishébert National Historic Site of Canada and Beaubears Island Shipbuilding National Historic Site of Canada, J. Leonard O'Brien Memorial. The island is recognized for its role in the [[Expulsion of the Acadians|Acadian Expulsion]], and as the former home of a major shipbuilding industry.<ref name=beau>[https://web.archive.org/web/20061024101536/http://www.mightymiramichi.com/breadnmolasses/id172.html "Beaubears Island"], by Joyce LeBlanc. Retrieved August 21, 2006.</ref>

[[French Fort Cove]] is a nature park located between Newcastle and Nordin. It is the former site of a gristmill, lumber mill and shipyard. It is also the former location of a rock quarry which was used to build many local buildings and the [[Langevin Block]] of the [[Parliament Hill]], among others. It is the setting for the local legend of the [[Headless Nun]].<ref>[http://www.frenchfortcove.com/stonequarry.html "Story Quarry"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720051245/http://www.frenchfortcove.com/stonequarry.html |date=July 20, 2011 }}, ''French Fort Cove Nature Park''. Retrieved August 21, 2006.</ref>[[File:Middle Island Miramichi Memorial.JPG|thumb|upright|Irish Memorial on Middle Island]]

Middle Island was used as a quarantine station when, in 1847, [[typhus]] and [[scarlet fever]] spread throughout the ship [[Looshtauk]] as it crossed the Atlantic Ocean. Of the 462 passengers on board, at least 146 people died en route and 96 died while in quarantine.<ref name=middle>{{cite web|url=http://ww2.breadnmolasses.com/2003/id173.html|title=Middle Island Irish Historical Park|work=Bread n' Molasses|access-date=August 16, 2006}}</ref> Initially those who died on the island were buried in caskets, but as the death toll continued to rise personal resting places could no longer be an option. This resulted in large mass graves being placed on the island. Some of these graves were discovered as recently as 1996.

Many people are able to trace their family roots back to the journey taken by the Looshtauk. The island now serves as a tourist location and memorial.

[[Alexander Rankin]] and [[James Gilmour (Miramichi lumber baron)|James Gilmour]] came to the area in 1812 to establish a lumber and shipbuilding enterprise (Gilmour, Rankin & Co.) at Douglastown (then known as Gretna Green). Rankin House was constructed in 1837 as the home of Alexander Rankin and is now a museum containing a collection of objects relating to early life in New Brunswick. It is located in Douglastown on the King George Highway.<ref>[http://www.miramichimemories.com/id9.html "Rankin House"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714101339/http://www.miramichimemories.com/id9.html |date=July 14, 2011 }}, ''Miramichi Memories''. Retrieved August 24, 2006.</ref>

The Miramichi Natural History Museum (c. 1908 to 1909) is designated as a Local Historic Place.<ref>{{CRHP|5311|Miramichi Natural History Museum|20 February 2012}}</ref>

Ritchie Wharf is a park located on the waterfront of Newcastle-Miramichi. It is the location of many events that take place on the river.[[File:MiramichiMarineHospital.JPG|thumb|Marine Hospital]]

The Marine Hospital was built in 1830–1831, and was used to provide care to members of the shipping community involved in the lumber trade. It is the oldest surviving marine hospital in Canada, and now serves as a hall for a local church and the general public. It last opened its door to patients in 1921, and was designated a [[National Historic Sites of Canada|National Historic Site of Canada]] in September 2000.<ref>[http://www.miramichi.org/en/visit-historic-e.asp "Historic Sites"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428134651/http://www.miramichi.org/en/visit-historic-e.asp |date=April 28, 2012 }}, ''City of Miramichi''. Retrieved August 24, 2006.</ref>