Dorchester in Tantramar, New Brunswick — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)
Bell Inn
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Auberge Bell
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 27, 2019
1. Bell Inn / Auberge Bell Marker
One of New Brunswick’s oldest surviving stone buildings, the Bell Inn was constructed before 1820 of stone quarried on the site. It has filled both commercial and residential functions.
Provincial Historic Site
Construite avant 1820 en pierres extraites du site, l’Auberge Bell est un des plus anciens bâtiments en Pierres du Nouveau-Brunswick encore debout. Elle servait à des fonctions commerciales et résidentielles.
Lieu historique provincial
Erected by Province of New Brunswick.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1820.
Location. 45° 53.936′ N, 64° 31.009′ W. Marker is in Dorchester, New Brunswick, in Tantramar. It is on Cape Road (New Brunswick Route 935) just south of Main Street ( Route 106), on the left when traveling south. Marker is mounted above eye-level, directly on the subject building, near the center of the west façade. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3515 Cape Road, Dorchester NB E4K 2X2, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: 400th Anniversary of 1st Acadian Settlement (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Chandler House (Rocklyn) / Maison Chandler (about 90 meters away); Sir Albert James Smith (about 90 meters away); Freedom of the Village of Dorchester (about 90 meters away); Methodist Church (approx. one kilometer away); 18th Century Anchor (approx. 7.2 kilometers away); Silver Jubilee Lodge and Library (approx. 7.3 kilometers away); Right Honourable Richard Bedford Bennett (approx. 7.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dorchester.
Regarding Bell Inn / Auberge Bell. Canadian Register of Historic Places #5749. After a period of decline and dilapidation, it was restored
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 27, 2019
2. Bell Inn / Auberge Bell
Also see . . .
1. Bell Inn.
After serving at least four decades as a private dwelling and small country inn under various ownership, in 1858 it passed into the hands of William Hickman, later one of Dorchester’s leading shipbuilders. Following extensive renovations, Hickman ran it as an inn in conjunction with his recently acquired stagecoach line between Moncton and Amherst, itself part of a longer line running between Saint John and Halifax Nova Scotia. From then until the completion of the Intercolonial Railroad in 1872 the “Bell” served as Dorchester's only stagecoach inn.(Submitted on March 11, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. A History of the Bell Inn.
With the help of a Canada Works Grant, restoration proceeded apace under the general direction of the Historical Resources Administration in Fredericton and an official grand opening was held on June 28, 1980. There was considerable discussion over how the building should be used. Suggestions included a folklore research centre, an archive for historical record.(Submitted on March 11, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 276 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 11, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
