Oxford, Nova Scotia

Oxford
Town

The giant blueberry makes a distinctive entry feature for the community

Seal
Nickname(s): Wild Blueberry Capital of Canada
Oxford

Location of Oxford

Coordinates: 45°43′50″N 63°52′24″W / 45.73056°N 63.87333°W / 45.73056; -63.87333Coordinates: 45°43′50″N 63°52′24″W / 45.73056°N 63.87333°W / 45.73056; -63.87333
Country  Canada
Province  Nova Scotia
Municipality Cumberland County
Founded 1791
Incorporated April 19, 1904
Electoral Districts     
Federal
Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley
Provincial Cumberland South
Government
 • Mayor Patricia Stewart
 • Governing Body Oxford Town Council
Area (2016)[1]
 • Total 10.76 km2 (4.15 sq mi)
Highest elevation 18 m (59 ft)
Lowest elevation 5 m (16 ft)
Population (2016)[1]
 • Total 1,190
 • Density 110.6/km2 (286/sq mi)
Time zone AST (UTC-4)
 • Summer (DST) ADT (UTC-3)
Postal code B0M
Area code(s) 902
Telephone Exchange 447, 552
Median Earnings* $37,734
Website town.oxford.ns.ca
  • Median household income, 2005 ($) (all households)

Oxford is a town in Cumberland County, Nova Scotia, Canada 32 km (20 mi) east of Amherst. The town is directly serviced by Routes 104, 204, 301, and 321.

History

Oxford was founded in 1791 by settler Richard Thompson.[2] The name "Oxford" is derived from the shallow river that was used to enter the town. Early settlers used Oxen to cross, or "ford", the river, and thus derived the town's name.

Geography

Oxford is located at the junctions of three rivers, the largest of which is River Philip. Much of the town lies in a floodplain and floods are common during the springtime. Salt Lake is located between the Black River Road and the Trans Canada Highway. A series of swamps and meadows connect this lake to the River Philip.

Demographics

In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Oxford recorded a population of 1,190 living in 528 of its 597 total private dwellings, a change of 3.4% from its 2011 population of 1,151. With a land area of 10.76 km2 (4.15 sq mi), it had a population density of 110.6/km2 (286.4/sq mi) in 2016.[1]

Industry

Oxford is considered the wild blueberry capital of Canada as it is centred in a large blueberry growing region. Oxford Frozen Foods Ltd., a wild blueberry processor, is the largest employer in the town, processing up to three million pounds of berries a day during peak season.[3] The plant and over 12,000 acres blueberry land are owned by local businessman, John Bragg, who added in 2014 another 15,700 acres in the Acadian region of northern New Brunswick.[4]

Historically, the town was home to a vibrant manufacturing industry with a woollen mill and foundry being key employers.

Transportation

Centrally located in Cumberland County, Oxford is well connected to the provincial and national road network.

The Trans Canada Highway (Highway 104) passed near just south of the town and provincial routes 204, 301, and 321 all travel through town via Pugwash Road, Brichwood Road, Water Street, Upper/Lower Main Street and Little River Road.

In terms of public transport, the town is serviced by Acadian Bus Lines, which stops at the Lower Main Market not far off the highway.

Historically, the town had freight and passenger rail service via CN's Oxford Subdivision,[5] known locally as the 'Short Line', which ran from Oxford Junction to Stellarton. Passenger service was discontinued in 1960 and the line was abandoned in the 1990s.

The abandoned rail line has been reborn as a part of the Trans Canada Trail[6] system. This section of the trail extends 127-km (78-mi) from Oxford to Pictou. It winds through farms, fields and forests for all season recreational use.

See also

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 3 "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Nova Scotia)". Statistics Canada. February 8, 2017. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  2. ↑ http://www.town.oxford.ns.ca/history/index.htm
  3. ↑ http://oxfordfrozenfoods.com/facilities
  4. ↑ acadienouvelle.com: "La production de bleuets sauvages prend de l’expansion au Nouveau Brunswick", 21 Apr 2016
  5. ↑ http://www.novascotiarailwayheritage.com/photos.htm#OXFORD
  6. ↑ http://www.novascotia.com/see-do/outdoor-activities/trans-canada-trail-pictou-to-oxford/1894
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