Our History
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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.
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November 6, 1861 – James Naismith Born
James Naismith born November 6, 1861 at Almonte, Ontario, Canada
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July 3, 1868 – Lyman Archibald Born
Lyman Archibald born July 3, 1868 at Pleasant Valley, Colchester County, Nova Scotia, Canada
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May 14, 1877 – 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.
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November 1877 – New Building Is Contructed
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.
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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.
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1891 – YMCA inhabits second floor of structure in St. Stephen, New Brunswick
YMCA inhabits second floor of structure in St. Stephen, New Brunswick
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1891 – Lyman Archibald arrives in Springfield, Ma
Lyman Archibald arrives in Springfield, Ma
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Autumn 1891 – James Naismith invents game of basketball in Springfield, Ma
James Naismith invents game of basketball in Springfield, Ma
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December 21, 1891 – First Game of Basketball Played
First game of basketball played at International YMCA Training School/School for Christian Workers (now Springfield College)
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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.
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Spring 1893 – Lyman Archibald Graduates
Lyman Archibald graduates from 2 year course at YMCA Training School, Springfield, Ma.
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June/July 1893 – Lyman Archibald Becomes General Secretary
Lyman Archibald becomes General Secretary at the St. Stephen, New Brunswick, YMCA in Canada.
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October 17, 1893 – First Game of Basketball Played
First game of basketball played at 6 King St as documented in St. Croix Courier
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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
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1965 – Building in Springfield, Ma demolished where first game of basketball played.
Building in Springfield, Ma demolished where first game of basketball played.
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1995 – McDonalds Built Where Basketball First Played
McDonalds restaurant Corporation buys property and builds restaurant on site where basketball first played invented in Springfield, Ma
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August 2010 – Dedication of monument on property to the creation of basketball across street from original building site in Springfield, Ma
Dedication of monument on property to the creation of basketball across street from original building site in Springfield, Ma
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May 2010 – 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.
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December 22, 2011 – 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.
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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)
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October 2018 – 125th Anniversary Event
125th anniversary event held at site (6 King St) to commemorate the first game played at St. Stephen court.
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June 13, 2019 – 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.