GRAND FALLS

town, Victoria county, northwestern New Brunswick, Canada. Grand Falls lies along the St. John River, 142 miles (228 km) northwest of Fredericton. Originally a French settlement, it became a British military post in 1790. The town's "Broadway" was the former military parade ground. The original township of Colebrooke, named for Sir William Colebrooke, lieutenant governor of New Brunswick (1841-48), was incorporated in 1896 as the town of Grand Falls. It was named for nearby Grand Falls, a cataract 75 feet (23 m) high, which has been harnessed to provide hydroelectric power for the provincial distribution system. The town is important as a shipping point in New Brunswick's potato-growing industry and produces potato starch and chips (crisps). Pop. (1991) 6,083.