The rich history of the Restigouche area dates back to 1534 when Jacques Cartier sailed into the Bay of Chaleur in his search for a sea route to the East. As a result, a bond was formed between the French and the Indians (Mi'gmaqs) who at the time, inhabited the area we know today as Atholville.

From 1534 to 1759, a few French settlers and the native Mi'gmaqs were the only inhabitants of the area. In 1760, Captain John Byron represented British occupancy when the British waged war on the French in "The Battle of the Ristigouche". This was the last battle fought in North American waters to gain control of this continent in the Seven Year War, and the only naval engagement of any account to take place in New Brunswick waters.

The first British settlers were from Aberdeen, Scotland and they established a fishing trade (salmon) at Old Church Point (Atholville). For the next fifty plus years, these few settlers dealt with the hardships of winter and American revolutionaries.

Around 1831, lumbering became of prime importance and consequently the area was rapidly settled. Most people settled in and around Dalhousie and as a result the port became quite a going concern, with fifty-two ships loaded during 1832; mostly lumber and fish being sent to British markets.

The entire area prospered with the building of ships at Heron Island, Dalhousie, Campbellton and Atholville. A sawmill at Walker Brook (Campbellton), built in 1703, was for many years the only mill in the county but later a second mill was built in the western part of Campbellton. In or about 1855, pine became less readily available and most sawmills were switched to shingle mills or canning factories.

By 1890, there were six major shingle mills, one in Dalhousie and five in Campbellton. Fraser Co. eventually acquired some of Campbellton's mills while International Paper Co. acquired the Dalhousie mill.

Lumbering proved to be the main industry throughout the nineteenth century, and prospered as a direct result the surrounding settlements. With increasing population, several complementary businesses flourished. The establishment of the general store, lively stables, blacksmiths, etc. became local conveniences.

In 1875, the International Railway opened, linking Restigouche with Moncton. This marked the beginning of the Industrial Era in northern New Brunswick and brought with it work that increased the population of Restigouche.

The railway industry played an important role during the 20th Century despite reaching its peak around the third quarter. This industry has since suffered a dramatic decline.

Near the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th Century emerged two of the area's predominant municipalities, Campbellton (1889) and Dalhousie (1905). A dramatic fire almost totally destroyed the City of Campbellton in 1910. Later, the balance of the county's municipalities were incorporated, Atholville, Tide Head, Kedgwick, Charlo, Jacquet River, Saint-Quentin and Eel River Crossing in 1966 and Balmoral in 1972.(1)

Today, Restigouche county still depends heavily on the forestry sector from which has evolved modern pulp, paper and lumber mills. Future trends indicate the area will develop a more diversified economy, namely in the manufacturing, service and tourism sectors.