In the 1800s Sackville was the hub of commerce in Atlantic Canada. There were three shipyards here, Purdy, Dixon, and Boultenhouse.

In 1840s Christopher Boultenhouse had a sprawling shipyard at the shores of the Tantramar River. In 1850s two other shipyards were established by Charles Dixon and Henry Purdy.

Over 160 vessels were constructed and launched from Sackville between 1821- 1898. All the shipyards and shipbuilders were active, though nearly half of them were constructed and launched by the Boultenhouse family .

Ships built in Sackville travelled the seas globally. The largest ship was 1468 ton ship Sarah Dixon, which was launched from the Dixon shipyard in 1856.

In that same year Christopher Boultenhouse launched the Sackville's only steam ship, 192 ton S.S. Westmoreland.

Sackville's Shipbuilding Era is an important part of Sackville's history.