A good nickname — the one that sticks — is the one that genuinely personifies who you are. Think of those friends in your life who you still refer to by the nickname they acquired in elementary school. Nicknames are endearing and provide a bit of insight into a person’s character, and the good ones transcend time.
The same is true when applied to cities, and if the nickname is the right fit, it’s the name we reference. City nicknames may be informed by local history, predominant activities, geography, architecture, or the nature of the people who live there. Off the top of my head, these immediately come to mind: The Big Apple, Bean Town, The City of Lights, The City of Angels, Sin City, The Eternal City, the City of Dreams, The End of the World*, The Pink City, and the City of Dreams.
These nicknames become the foundation of promotional materials, holiday brochures, quippy slogans and graphic logos. They epitomize the city and lure us to visit. This may have been the case for Karl Creelman when the local paper received a letter on May 22, 1899, proclaiming that he would visit the “Celestial City.”
Unfamiliar to you, dear reader? I thought it might be. Celestial City was not a nickname that I was familiar with either.
So, let’s go back, 120 years back, when you would have in all likelihood received a brochure advertising the Celestial City. Based on the descriptions that I reviewed from various archived documents, I’m confident that you — like Karl and I — would have been enticed to visit. Not wanting you to miss out on an opportunity, I have prepared the following flyer regaling the wonders of the Celestial City as described in the promotional materials of the 1900’s that I’m sure will make you start packing your bags.
You are invited to enjoy:
The Glories of her Forests
The Beauty of her Lakes and Hills
The Music of her Streams
The Sweep of her Great Rivers
The Majesty of her Coast
Come by Train, by Boat or by Motor
Stay for a week, a month, the summer or as a year around resident
Nowhere is scenery more varied and charming
Nowhere is Fishing and Hunting more pleasant
Nowhere is the Climate more Congenial
In these days of stress one likes to get as far away as possible from business cares and yet not be isolated. From a civic standpoint the city enjoys progressive government. There are shady trees on pleasant streets wherever you go, refinement of life and civilization enough to meet all reasonable demands, and yet, one reaches a tree-embowered, peaceful and delightful forest city.
The placid “Celestial” citizen is at peace with all the world. The tranquil river flowing by his door is a mirror of his mind. He is content with his lot, for, if he is secure from sudden attacks of affluence, he is equally safe from the withering disaster that comes from reckless speculation. He is liberal in thought - conservative in action. Perched upon a pinnacle of judicial impartiality, he calmly listens to the evidence as to the doings of the outer world, and then takes time to consider.
If you are of faith, it’s true that the Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists and Roman Catholics, all maintain handsome and commodious church edifices. Strangers receive a cordial welcome at different churches, and in most cases, seating accommodation is free.
Like to shop? Well, there is much in the business that may interest you: in season we carry a choice collection of Ladies’ Fur Jackets of excellent quality and exquisite style in Persian Lamb, Hudson Seal, French Seal, Canadian Muskrat, Southern Muskrat etc. Canadian fur jackets have a distinction of quality and style that will appeal to the most discerning buyer.
Should you wish to explore our historical sites, the Celestial City was a garrison town for nearly a century, the soldier’s barracks and officer’s quarters, erected in 1828, are located in the heart of the city and are objects of much interest for visitors. Many of the older citizens can recall the days when Imperial troops were stationed here, and boast of the prowess of officers and men in the cricket field and tell of the great enjoyment which they derived from hunting and fishing.
A novel feature of the social life is the existence of quite a number of riverside clubs or “Camps”, where the stranger, if he is a “good fellow” as he is sure to be, and fortunate enough to have formed the acquaintance of one of the members, will be entertained in a very agreeable way. These camps are usually built of logs after the most approved woodland pattern, with a large open fireplace at one end; the bill of fare includes the inevitable pork and beans. The scenic surroundings are delightful, and a day spent in one of these rustic retreats will long be remembered by the visitor.
For the solo traveller, don’t despair, should the tourist need a wife to accompany him on the tour of life, he is earnestly advised to pause here. The Celestial girl is a flower by the dusky wayside. She is ice-cream in August and sunshine in April. She is a ripple of laughter on the river of Time. In short, she is the frosting which Heaven has spread o’er the dreary plain cake of earth.
So dear reader, I’m sure you are keen to know the whereabouts of this Celestial City to book your visit. The Celestial City is, in fact, Fredericton, the capital city of New Brunswick. The nickname resulted from a 100-year quarrel with the constituents of Saint John. They wanted their town to be the capital and disparagingly referred to Fredericton as the Celestial City in reference to the Anglican cathedral that dominated the city landscape.
I suspect the nickname didn’t have that “stickiness” factor and perhaps only epitomized the City of Fredericton for a brief time. But it was undoubtedly advertised as the place to be –– placid citizens, a congenial climate, free seats in church and the allure of the Celestial girl!
I did have a lovely visit tracing Karl’s passage through Fredericton, and although my new goals in life are to one day be described as an “ice cream in August”! Until then, I did the next best thing, visited a dairy bar, and enjoyed eating an ice cream in August.
*The End of the World is the nickname for Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world.
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