Barnesville, New Brunswick


Barnesville is a scenic rural community in the province of New Brunswick within the country of Canada. There are several small brooks, the Hammond River, and a lake in the area often used for sport fishing. There is one store and three churches. A commercial greenhouse supplies flower baskets for local garden centers and retail stores and employs several people from the surrounding area.
A community garden--Barnesville and Area Community Garden--was formed in the spring of 2015 by a group of local volunteers, with 30 allotments in use and 13 participants in the first year. It is located behind the Presbyterian church. The group offers free and low-cost gardening workshops for the public.
Only one fully operational farm--specializing in beef cattle--remains in the community. However, Weatherby's Peak Berry Orchard is now in its initial stage of planting. The planned 8 acre orchard will include honey berries, raspberries and high bush blueberries. It will also be a source of employment for local residents. Data on population is not collected by Statistics Canada. Barnesville is known for its 'May Run' which is an annual unofficial event when off-road enthusiasts bring their trucks, atvs, and home-made vehicles to drive the backwoods trails. There are various trail systems for atvs in the area. A weekly Kitchen Party often attracts upwards of 70 people, with as many as 20 musicians and singers.

Location

Barnesville is located along Route 820 in Kings County, New Brunswick. Saint John is 40 kilometers away and is the closest city. Hampton is 20 kilometers away and is the closest town. Additional surrounding rural areas include Upham, Primrose, and Grove Hill.

History

Barnesville was settled by John Barnes in approximately 1820. The community was first called South Stream and later changed to honour Thomas G. Barnes, the first postmaster. In 1898 Barnesville was a small farming community and had 1 post office, 2 stores, 2 churches.

Education

Students attend either Loch Lomond Elementary School or Hammond River Valley Elementary School for Grades Kindergarten to Grade 5. Students commute to Forest Hills Middle School or Hampton Middle School for Grades 6-8. And Grades 9-12 at either a high school located in Saint John or Hampton High School.

Notable people