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Our History

1858
1858
St. Stephen Drug Store and Watson House

In 1858, the location was “Watson House” owned by Robert Watson. It was a very large 4-storey brick hotel, taking up a large footprint at the corner of King St. and Water St. (now Milltown Blvd.). The first recognized drugstore in New Brunswick, “St. Stephen Drug Store”, was established in a portion of the building.

The Watson Hotel can be seen on the left side of this photo.

Photo courtesy of Darren McCabe. This image was submitted to the Courier in 1985, by Bruce Robinson.

 

1861
November 6th
James Naismith Born

James Naismith born November 6, 1861 at Almonte, Ontario, Canada

1868
July 3rd
Lyman Archibald Born

Lyman Archibald born July 3, 1868 at Pleasant Valley, Colchester County, Nova Scotia, Canada

1877
May 14th
St. Stephen Fire

• Fire burns down Watson hotel in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, 6 King Street.
• Over 80 businesses and houses burned in the downtown core, including the St. Croix Courier Office. The newspaper would not publish again until June 10th, in which they reported R. Watson had already had a contract to rebuild a 2-story 80×76 brick block with a hall and offices upstairs.

November
St. Stephen Fire

The new brick structure which still exists and replaced Watson House was opened at 6 King St.— retail downstairs and meeting rooms upstairs of different sizes.

1890
James Naismith moves to Springfield, Massachusetts

James Naismith moves to Springfield, Massachusetts to attend YMCA Training School – studies physical educational as a student in a one year course.

Slam Dunk

 

1891
YMCA inhabits second floor of structure in St. Stephen, New Brunswick

 

Lyman Archibald arrives in Springfield, MA

 

Autumn
James Naismith Invents Game of Basketball in Springfield, MA

 

December 21st
First Game of Basketball Played

First game of basketball played at International YMCA Training School/School for Christian Workers (now Springfield College)

1892
Basket Ball: Rules of Basket Ball

The original version of the 1892 edition “Basket Ball: Rules of Basket Ball” was written by Dr. James Naismith, which lists the original 13 rules for the game. The Springfield College Archives and Special Collections has a digital version of the rare edition available for viewing so you can read all of the original structure of the game from it’s creator. Find the digital resource here. 

1893
Spring
Lyman Archibald Graduates

Lyman Archibald graduates from 2 year course at YMCA Training School, Springfield, Ma.

 

June/July
Lyman Archibald Becomes General Secretary

Lyman Archibald becomes General Secretary at the St. Stephen, New Brunswick, YMCA in Canada.

 

October 17, 1893
First Game of Basketball Played On World's Oldest Basketball Court

First game of basketball played at 6 King St as documented in St. Croix Courier

 

1897
YMCA Closes Its Doors

YMCA on second floor of building in St. Stephen closes its doors, soon to be followed by Thistle Athletic Association  

1965
Building in Springfield, MA Demolished Where First Game of Basketball Played
1995
McDonald's Built Where Basketball First Played
2010
May
Structural Fire At St. Croix Vocational Thrift Store

Structural fire occurs at St.Croix Vocational Thrift Store in St. Stephen, New Brunswick (building is rediscovered as former 1890’s YMCA) spared from catastrophic damage.

August
Dedication of Monument on Property to the Creation of Basketball Across Street from Original Building Site in Springfield, Ma
2011
December 22nd
Canada 1st Basketball Inc. Established

Canada 1st Basketball Inc. established (C1BI) – key community volunteers come together to form a committee to start the process of working with the St. Croix Vocational Centre Inc, to help restore protect and promote this historic jewel.

2012
1893 Newspaper Articles Discovered

1893 newspaper articles discovered in St. Croix Courier detailing the arrival of Lyman Archibald and the introduction of basketball to St. Stephen. (2 different articles mentioning Archibald)

2018
October
125th Anniversary Event

125th anniversary event held at site (6 King St) to commemorate the first game played at St. Stephen court.

2019
June 13th
Toronto Raptors NBA Title Win Viewing Party

C1BI holds private function at site to watch Toronto Raptors capture franchise/country’s first NBA title over the Golden State Warriors history watching history.