Welcome to
Rural Municipality of Murray River, PEI
Incorporated 1955 | Population 337 (2021 Census)
Public Input at Meetings of Council
Members of the public are invited to address Council during its meetings. Every agenda has a time for “public presentations, petitions & delegations”. During that time, the public is granted up to 5 minutes per presentation, and Council may ask questions afterwards. That is the only time during a meeting of Council when members of the public may speak. One delegation/presenter will have the floor at a time. Proper conduct is required. For more information, please read the Procedural Bylaw.
You may add your name to the agenda by contacting the municipal office, no later than the Tuesday, one week, before the meeting. Please call 902-741-2009 or email municipalityofmurrayriver@gmail.com If you are sending an email or leaving a voice message, please indicate who will be speaking and the topic(s) to be addressed. The meeting schedule is available here.
Election 2023
The Municipal Government Act and the Murray River Elections Bylaw require certain documents and reports following an election. They include the Election Summary Report and Disclosures of Campaign Contributions and Election Expenses/Surplus from each candidate. Statements which have been received may be viewed here. Candidates not listed here have not yet filed the documents.
Tanya Campbell
Shawn Dawson
Michael Franklin Campaign Contributions Election Expenses/Surplus
Paige Hart
Marvin MacLeod Campaign Contributions Election Expenses/Surplus
Kelly Scott Campaign Contributions Election Expenses/Surplus
Tom Scott Campaign Contributions Election Expenses/Surplus
Our Community
The picturesque harbour community and Rural Municipality of Murray River is located in the southeastern region of Prince Edward Island. This community is on Points East Coastal Drive. As you drive through this quaint town you will find accommodations, restaurants, Post Office, craft stores, service station, Confederation trail, and much more.
There is lots of history in Murray River for you to learn about. Discover information about the boat building and saw mill that was a big part of this village that was located at MacLure’s Dam or just take a walk through the village and enjoy the scenery.
MacLure’s Dam is the largest freshwater pond on Prince Edward Island and probably one of the prettiest. The pond was actually a millpond whose rich history dates back to the early 1800s. Today the pond is verdant with the green of hearty pines serving as backdrops for the marsh grass and cattails that line the banks.
On your visit stop by the wharf and talk to the local fishermen where you will learn all about lobster fishing, the mussel industry and other fishing that is done in the area. If you want a real treat then be sure to attend the Annual Northumberland Fisheries Festival held in July. There are lots of things to do and see in Murray River so be sure to drop by our community and spend a bit of time with us.
History and Updates
History
The Murray River Pines is located by the MacLure dam. This elegant grove of red and white pines highlights one of PEI’s most beautiful settings. This natural area occupies four hectares (10 acres) on the east side of MacLure’s Pond, at the western side of the village of Murray River. Located on Provincial crown land, the stand is one of the best examples of old growth pine forest with some of the trees dating to pre-1870. The trail is approximately two km in length.
• In 1808 the MacLure dam was built to provide waterpower for the gristmill and sawmill. Some buildings are still standing around the dam. Today there is still a depression in the ground, which stretches right to the shore. This is where a shipyard was located which built the MacLure’s vessels before the turn of the century.
• Prior to the year 1940, there were no refrigerators; some households would have large blocks of ice cut out of the dam, which would then be stored in their icehouses. These blocks of ice would be completely covered with sawdust, which would keep the ice in a solid form until late in the summer. This was the only way to keep milk and other perishables as fresh as possible.
• Mussel Mud was also a business at the MacLure Dam. Over time, deep beds of shell and mud built up in the former estuary. These beds were called “mussel mud” and contained neutralizing shell and fertilizer for land, which had become acidic and nutrient poor through years of farming. Mussel mud was a valuable resource that was harvested and sold once the ice was strong.
Enterprising individuals would haul a digging frame equipped with a mud scoop onto the ice and using a horse powered capstan, winched in a rope that lifted a scoop of mud from the bottom to be sold to farmers waiting in line with their sleigh. The heavy ice only lasted a short time so farmers would often deposit the mud along the bank for later movement and get in line for another load.
Rural Municipality of Murray River
Municipal Office
1066 MacInnis Street
Murray River, PEI
C0A.1W0
municipalityofmurrayriver@gmail.com
Phone: 902-741-2009
Hall Rental inquiries:
Contact municipalityofmurrayriver@gmail.com