North Rustico, Prince Edward Island
Encyclopedia
North Rustico is a village located in the northern part of Queens County
, Prince Edward Island
, Canada
.
It became an incorporated municipality in 1954. The village is known to locals, as well as many others as "The Crick". The village is part of the Cavendish beaches and the Duneshores Tourism Association, and accounts for a large part of the Island's north shore resort area.
North Rustico is well known for its Canada day celebration every year on July 1. The event usually attracts in excess of 10,000 people, which packs the village quite full, it includes festivities in the park, a parade down main street, as well as a boat parade on Rustico Harbour. The celebration is popular among families, and among teenagers and adults. The day is completed around 10:00 p.m. by a fireworks display over the bay.
with residents commuting to work in the city.
Since the 1996 census, the village has witnessed a population decline of -2% in year-round residents. During the short summer tourist season on Prince Edward Island in July and August, the village's proximity to the Prince Edward Island National Park
results in a temporary population expansion with many visitors staying in nearby accommodations.
The village has 255 dwellings and the median household income is $126,855, compared with the provincial average of $60,512. There are many seasonal homes or cottages owned by non-residents which are occupied for only several weeks during the summer months.
The fishing industry remains the village's most important economic activity, with approximately 40 vessels home-ported in a small craft harbour. Lobster fishing is the main focus for much of the fleet and during May and June fresh north shore P.E.I lobster can be bought in a fish market on the harbour wharves or directly off of the boats."Fisherman's Wharf Lobster Suppers" and the "Blue Mussel Cafe" are popular places to enjoy the fresh seafood of Prince Edward Island .
In the summer, this village is one of the Island's most popular destinations. On a warm summer evening, dozens of people can be found strolling the village's waterfront boardwalk, which overlooks the bay and fishing docks.
population who fled British capture and deportation during the Seven Years' War
(see Great Upheaval
), although English, Scottish and Irish settlers moved into the area during the remainder of the 18th century and throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
The name Rustico comes from Rassicot, who was one of the first settlers from France.
The Farmers' Bank of Rustico
, founded and managed under the leadership of Father Georges-Antoine Belcourt, received Royal Assent for its act of incorporation at the Court of Windsor on April 7, 1864. It is often considered to have been the first community-based bank in Canada
. The bank building was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1959.
Queens County, Prince Edward Island
Queens County is located in central Prince Edward Island, Canada. The county is geographically divided by the Hillsborough River's estuary, a tidal inlet which almost splits the county and Prince Edward Island...
, Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
It became an incorporated municipality in 1954. The village is known to locals, as well as many others as "The Crick". The village is part of the Cavendish beaches and the Duneshores Tourism Association, and accounts for a large part of the Island's north shore resort area.
North Rustico is well known for its Canada day celebration every year on July 1. The event usually attracts in excess of 10,000 people, which packs the village quite full, it includes festivities in the park, a parade down main street, as well as a boat parade on Rustico Harbour. The celebration is popular among families, and among teenagers and adults. The day is completed around 10:00 p.m. by a fireworks display over the bay.
Economy
North Rustico's primary industries in order of importance are fishing, tourism and agriculture. Located 30 km (19 mi) northwest of Charlottetown, the village is increasingly becoming an exurbCommuter town
A commuter town is an urban community that is primarily residential, from which most of the workforce commutes out to earn their livelihood. Many commuter towns act as suburbs of a nearby metropolis that workers travel to daily, and many suburbs are commuter towns...
with residents commuting to work in the city.
Since the 1996 census, the village has witnessed a population decline of -2% in year-round residents. During the short summer tourist season on Prince Edward Island in July and August, the village's proximity to the Prince Edward Island National Park
Prince Edward Island National Park
Prince Edward Island National Park is a National Park located on Prince Edward Island. Situated along the island's north shore, fronting the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the park measures approximately 60 km in length and ranges from several hundred metres to several kilometres in width...
results in a temporary population expansion with many visitors staying in nearby accommodations.
The village has 255 dwellings and the median household income is $126,855, compared with the provincial average of $60,512. There are many seasonal homes or cottages owned by non-residents which are occupied for only several weeks during the summer months.
The fishing industry remains the village's most important economic activity, with approximately 40 vessels home-ported in a small craft harbour. Lobster fishing is the main focus for much of the fleet and during May and June fresh north shore P.E.I lobster can be bought in a fish market on the harbour wharves or directly off of the boats."Fisherman's Wharf Lobster Suppers" and the "Blue Mussel Cafe" are popular places to enjoy the fresh seafood of Prince Edward Island .
In the summer, this village is one of the Island's most popular destinations. On a warm summer evening, dozens of people can be found strolling the village's waterfront boardwalk, which overlooks the bay and fishing docks.
History
The village of North Rustico was founded circa 1790, around a small natural harbour along the Gulf of St. Lawrence coast. The region was home to a remnant AcadianAcadian
The Acadians are the descendants of the 17th-century French colonists who settled in Acadia . Acadia was a colony of New France...
population who fled British capture and deportation during the Seven Years' War
Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War was a global military war between 1756 and 1763, involving most of the great powers of the time and affecting Europe, North America, Central America, the West African coast, India, and the Philippines...
(see Great Upheaval
Great Upheaval
The Expulsion of the Acadians was the forced removal by the British of the Acadian people from present day Canadian Maritime provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island...
), although English, Scottish and Irish settlers moved into the area during the remainder of the 18th century and throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
The name Rustico comes from Rassicot, who was one of the first settlers from France.
The Farmers' Bank of Rustico
Farmers' Bank of Rustico
The Farmers' Bank of Rustico operated in the village of Rustico, from 1864 to 1894. It is often considered to have been the first community-based bank in Canada. Founded and managed under the leadership of Father Georges-Antoine Belcourt , the Farmer's Bank of Rustico was established on April...
, founded and managed under the leadership of Father Georges-Antoine Belcourt, received Royal Assent for its act of incorporation at the Court of Windsor on April 7, 1864. It is often considered to have been the first community-based bank in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The bank building was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1959.