In the early 1890s “La Nouvelle France” or, as it came to be known, “Electric City” was the name of a very successful, innovative family-run wood milling settlement located over 17 miles inland from Weymouth, NS, and the Sissiboo River. Founded by the Stehelin family from Gisors, France, it was a happy place where people of all cultures, races, religions, and linguistic groups worked and played peacefully together. It was a truly multicultural community, where folks of many varied backgrounds learned about, and socialized with each other, many for the first time in their lives. The community’s impact is still felt today in the area, 130 years later. The Electric City / La Nouvelle France was a fully integrated, internationally successful business and community environment.

The story of this settlement is one of family love and devotion, of adventure and daring, of war and peace, of entrepreneurship and friendship, a truly universal tale.

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The following excerpts are from the book “Electric City, The Stehelins of New France” by Paul Stehelin.

Published by Nimbus, 1983. ISBN 978-1-55109-307-9. The book is available via our offices. Find out more