River John, Pictou County
River John, Nova Scotia
River John Geography
- Official Name: River John
- Gaelic Name: Abhainn Eòin
- Geographic Feature Type Category: Populated Place
- Geographic Feature Type: Community
- Postal Code: B0K 1N0
- Latitude / Longitude: 45.751519, -63.059043
- Official Name: River John
- Geographic Feature Type Category: Hydrographic Feature
- Geographic Feature Type: River
- Latitude / Longitude:45.757768, -63.073846
River John Maps
- 1:50k Topographic NTS Maps: 011E11 / 011E14
- 1834 Great Map: Panels 116a
- 1879 Pictou County Atlas Maps: Section 3 / Section 4 / East Johnville / West Johnville
- Nova Scotia Land Grant Map: NS Land Grant map 085
- Nova Scotia 1:10k Topographic Maps: 1045750063000 (River John), 1045700063000 (Fitzpatrick)
- Other Maps:
- 1777 Northumberland Strait Map
- 1841 Amet Sound Map
- 1864 Pictou County Topographical Township Map
- 1872 Northumberland Strait Map
- 1878 Pictou County map
- Mineral Resource Land Use Map 011E11
- Mineral Resource Land-Use Map 011E14
- 1974 Road Map
- Barite Occurrence Map (River John area) [PDF version]
- 1981 Pictou County Street Maps
- 1988 Pictou County Map
- 2020 Pictou County Welcome Guide Map
- Topo-bathymetric survey for Hydrodynamic Modeling – River John – Applied Geomatics Research Group, NSCC
- 2024 Cape John Map
- and more maps located further below on this page …
- Other Maps:
About River John
River John is a located along the Northumberland Strait at the mouth of River John where it empties into John Bay. It was named after an early settler, John Patuguin.
The Mi’kmaq name for the community is “Kajeboogwek” meaning flowing through desert or solitary place. Other early names for the area were Deception River, and John’s River.
The name River John was probably derived from Riviere Jaune. Frederick DesBarres who explored the area in the 1760’s and published maps in the 1770’s, he used the names ” River John” and “Cape John.”
The place may have been settled by George and John Patriquin as early as 1785. George Langile settled here about 1791 and about 1800 George Jeanperin moved here from St. Margarets Bay and bought a farm.
In 1806 there were at least twelve settlers here and in 1809 fourteen settlers petitioned for clear title to their land when the old Philadelphia Grant was escheated.
The Community
A school-house was built by 1818, then replaced by a new school in 1866. A more modern four-room school was built 1906.
The shipbuilding industry began in 1825 and was a major endeavor for seventy years. In 1842, however, an economic decline was being felt, and fishing become the main industry.
A postal way office was established in 1838 and a post office was set up in 1853.
Newspapers published here were The Pioneer in 1878, and The Temperance Herald in 1864.
In July, 1849, a forest fire did considerable damage to the community and surrounding area.
A short railway line was constructed through the area south of the village in 1888.
Population in 1956 was 526.
Westerly is a small rural Locality located within the community, along the north side of the river.
Road and Streets Located in River John
- Barron Road
- Black Street
- Cape John Road
- Cemetery Road
- George Street
- Henry Lane
- Highway 6
- Johnson Street
- MacLean Street
- Mountain Road
- Prince Street
- Queen Street
- River John Road
- River John Station Road
- River Road
- Saint Andrews Street
- Saint George Street
- School Street
- Seniors Drive
- Sergeant Lane
- Wellington Street
Community Links
- River John Community website
- River John Community Action Society
- Community Food and Health Center
- Lion’s Club
- Pioneer Newspaper – not-for-profit community-owned paper
- What’s going on River John (public community group board)
The Rivers
River John is one of the main fresh water rivers in Pictou County, it is comprised of 3 sections, the main portion and two branches (West Branch River John, and East Branch River John) that feed into it.
The main portion of the river originates where the two major branches of the River come together in the community of East Branch. It then flows north through the communities of East Branch, Welsford, Bigney, and River John before emptying into John Bay on the Northumberland Strait.
The 1864 Pictou County Topographical Township Map, has the main Branch or River John labeled as John’s River.
The rivers pass through transitional forests over Carboniferous sedimentary geology blending hardwoods and softwoods. Spruce, Pine, and Fir, with stands of Sugar Maple, Yellow Birch, Red Maple and Eastern Hemlock found through out, provides diverse habitats for a variety of birds, and mammals, and helps maintain cold‑water stream conditions ideal for fish (including Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Stripped Bass, Smelt, Sucker Fish, Eels and more).
The river’s clean water and mixed gradient make it attractive for recreational angling, and is well known for its Brook and Brown Trout fishing, as well as Striped Bass in the harbour. This area is enforced following Provincial regulations and limits. Atlantic Salmon were commonly found in the river but have diminished in numbers over the years.
Main Branch of the River
River John Maps
1777 Map
1834 map – 116a 
1841 map
1864 Map
1879 East Johnville Map
1879 West Johnville Map
Source: Topo-bathymetric survey for Hydrodynamic Modeling – River John – Applied Geomatics Research Group, NSCC
Source:Topo-bathymetric survey for Hydrodynamic Modeling – River John – Applied Geomatics Research Group, NSCC
Sources
Nova Scotia Place Names – T. Brown / Places of Nova Scotia – C. Bruce Fergusson / Nova Scotia Department of Environment / Topo-bathymetric survey for Hydrodynamic Modeling River John Webster & Kodavati / Fish Nova Scotia / Environment Canada /
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