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HISTORY OF KEMPT ROAD
The construction of Kempt Road, the first land route between the Maritime Provinces and the lower St. Lawrence area brought many residents to the area. As a result, the community became a municipality in 1906.
At the beginning of the VXIII century, the only route between Quebec City and Saint John New Brunswick was throught the Temiscouata portage along the St. John River. After the war of 1812 between Canada and the United States, the expectation of more trouble between the two countries pushed Canadian authorities to chart a new route further away from the American border. It was decided this route would be in the Matapedia valley and would be called Kempt Road. Sir James Kempt, in a letter dated 1829, informed Colonel York that an expedition under the command of William McDonald was exploring the Matapedia Valley and that there was a second expedition further inland, to the east of the Matapedia River. In 1829, William McDonald and surveyor Frederic Fournier explored the region and began planning a route from the Metis road to Officer's Brook, at Pointe-à-la-Croix, on the Restigouche River. This inland road covered 98 miles. Construction began in 1830 under the supervision of McDonald and Major Wolfe. Kempt Road was completed in 1832 and cost 30 000 $. This road, far from being perfect, was nevertheless used by travellers and inhabitants. From Metis to Matapedia, the road was passable. Many travellers who used this route died due to the cold and to bad weather during the expedition. Many also died trying to cross the rivers. To assist these poor voyagers, the government established four posts along the road, each with a guardian.
Following numerous complaints by users on the condition of Kempt Road, the government decided to abandon it in 1857. A new route was chosen from Causapscal to the Restigouche River, along the Matapedia River. This route was called the Matapedia Road and was completed in 1862. One of the conditions imposed by the Maritime Provinces for joining confederation was the construction of a railway linking all of the provinces. In 1868, it was decided to build the railway in the Matapedia Valley.
On July 1st, 1876, the Ste. Flavie to Campbellton section of the railway was inaugurated.
The Ristigouche South East to Causapscal section of Kempt Road will soon be set up as a historical pilgrimage route. A committee is currently planning a project that includes a pilgrim's manual with maps and historical information, interpretive signs, rest areas and a network of accommodation and transportation services. Kempt Pilgrims will learn more about the state of the colony in the early 1800s, on the difficulty of building Kempt Road, on the development it spurred and on its use today. Discover the region on foot. Visit this page again and follow the link to our future Kempt pilgrimage web site. |
