Description of Historic Place

Block Wharf consists of the vestiges of a wooden wharf visible at low tide in Tracadie Bay near the end of De La Block Street in Tracadie-Sheila.

Heritage Value

Block Wharf is designated a Local Historic Place for its impact on the economic development of the former Village of Tracadie, now Tracadie-Sheila.

Built circa 1870, Block Wharf was 518 metres long and could even accommodate a 68-ton schooner, such as the Eliza Crowell out of Halifax, with its cargo of 500 barrels of fish. It was called the “Quai de la Block” (Block Wharf) because the one-lane road leading up to it was made of wooden blocks. Located in Tracadie Bay, it was surrounded by water that was full of fish and attracted fishermen. The imports and exports that were loaded and unloaded at the wharf were shipped by sea. The W. S. Company and A & R Loggie’s, for example, were involved in the blueberry trade and transported their merchandise by ship. However, the wharf became less important over the years with the bay no longer deep enough to accommodate later large vessels due partially to the silting up of inlets. Nonetheless, Block Wharf is proof that, in the late-19th century, the former Village of Tracadie enjoyed a flourishing marine economy.

Source : Hôtel de ville de Tracadie-Sheila, dossier du lieu patrimonial no. 26

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements that describe Block Wharf include:
- vestiges of the wharf visible at low tide on the bottom of the bay, covering an area of 518 metres by 6 metres;
- location in Tracadie Bay at the end of De La Block Street.