Thread: Charlottetown, PEI - Background & What's Ashore

Charlottetown, PEI

According to Micmac legend, the island was formed from a large scrap of red clay that remained after the “Great Spirit” made the rest of the world. The creator fashioned the lump of earth into a crescent shape, endowed it with great beauty and some of his finest landscape work, and then dropped it into the Gulf of St Lawrence, according to the tale. The indigenous people called their home “abegweit” (“land that rides on the surf”).

Prince Edward Island’s first colonial settlement was established in 1720 when 300 French settlers arrived. The community was called Port la Joye and it was the kernel for the community that would later become Charlottetown. The port grew.
In 1864, a momentous meeting in Charlottetown included delegates from all remaining North American British colonies. Heading the agenda, the topic of forming a union was a point of excitement and fear among those in attendance.

The gathering was a success, and three years later, the Dominion of Canada was formed. The date, July 1, is remembered in the annual Dominion Day celebrations. Ironically, PEI leaders feared their comparatively tiny voice would be lost in the cacophony of the union and initially refused to join. Canada’s smallest province held out until 1873 to ratify the pact.

With change coming, islanders decided it was time to settle the hated absentee land ownership situation. The Land Purchase Act of 1875 required the PEI government to buy the land from the British gentry. The pact ensured owners would be compensated. With losses of the American Revolution still a fresh memory, the aristocrats readily accepted. Unfortunately, the island did not fare well in the ensuing years. As other shipbuilding and fishing centers lured young people away, potato farming was finally left as the only viable enterprise. A downward spiral eventually threatened to ruin the economy, so the Canadian government brought in WWI industry to save it. Ottawa continued to give aid even after the war, and today, farming, fishing and hospitality thrive.

Charlottetown, PEI - What’s Ashore

Confederation Landing
The old waterfront is included in the historic celebration of the founding of Canada. The dock at the foot of Great George Street is the hallowed site upon which the Fathers of Confederation landed for the historic 1864 meeting. In the summer, costumed actors recreate the the arrival scene. Relive Canadian history at Founder’s Hall Complex. The heritage attraction offers a self-guided audio tour through the Time Tunnel. The interactive exhibits begin at the 1864 Fathers of Confederation meeting which resulted in Canada’s birth. The center is a short walk from the pier.

Province House
Preserved as a National Historic Site, the three-story Province House was the 1867 meeting place for the Fathers of Canadian Confederation. Marking the center of the capital, the unassuming building is reserved among patriotic Canadian citizens, although it seems an unlikely place for the creation of one of the world’s largest nations. At the time, Canada was smaller. Delegates included representatives from PEI, Quebec, Nova Scotia, recently formed New Brunswick and Ontario. A repeating documentary recounts the historic meeting.

St Paul’s and St Dunstan’s
Completing the civic center quadrangle, St Paul’s Anglican Church was a much more important structure in the colonial days than it is now. The structure was built in 1896 to replace the earlier two churches that had been lost or destroyed. The first was built in the mid-18th century and some of the interior décor was preserved from that period. The imposing St Dunstan’s Basilica, one of Canada’s largest Catholic churches almost overshadows St Paul’s. The structure’s three spires are Charlottetown landmarks, pointing the way to the city center. The lovely German-crafted rose windows is quite detailed.

Beaconsfield Historic House
In keeping with the historic theme of Charlottetown as Canada’s birthplace, the Beaconsfield house has been restored to mint mid-19th century condition. WC Harris, the architectural Harris brother, designed the home for successful shipbuilding magnate James Peake, Jr. The other brother, Robert Harris, painted the historic “Meeting of the Fathers of Confederation”. The garden is as well maintained as the home and from the upper floor you can enjoy an excellent view of the harbor. The home opens daily in summer, but closes on Mondays during the winter months. Victoria Park, just west of the home, is one of the city’s fine public grounds.

Fort Amherst Port La Joye
The first Amherst Port La Joye National Historic site is the island’s most honored site. On the outer Northumberland Strait shore, away from the sheltered inner harbor, PEI’s first permanent European community was established in 1720. The fort fell to British control four decades later, but a French presence was firmly established and the Acadian influence remains today. A video presentation in the visitor center recalls the original settlers and the hardships they faced. The old commons that face the sea were once the main protection for the approach, though only the earthen foundations of the fort remain.

Orwell Corner
The Orwell settlement is a restored 19th-century farming village. An open-air museum, the town was named after Sir Francis Orwell, a colonial-era British Plantations Minister. Visitors are welcomed into a living documentary of period lifestyles in a typical mid-1800’s island community. There is a local smithy, antique schoolhouse and a lovely old farmhouse in town. Some of the buildings are replicas, but they all look authentic. The historic graveyard recalls early, mostly Scottish and Irish, immigrants.

Cavendish
It is located at the western edge of PEI National Park and is the island’s most popular destination. First stop is Lucy Maud Cavendish Home, where the author grew up. Her mother died suddenly at a youg age, so she was sent to Cavendish to be reared by her grandparents. The house is gone, but the haunting foundation and white picket fence entice you into a museum dedicated to her life. Of course you can buy a copy of “Anne of Green Gables” in the gift shop, as well as all over the island. The sweet red-haired girl who, like Lucy Laud, was orphaned at an early age has enchanted generations of young readers. You may be surprised to see Japanese-language editions, but many Japanese children are required to read the book in school, and the site is a place of pilgrimage for every Japanese tourist group. Not far from where she lived, the Green Gables House still stands. The green and white farmhouse was owned by Lucy Maud’s cousins and served as the model for the beloved fictional title home. (In 2004 we did a tour that included going out to the house of Anne gables - very enjoyable.)

(Many of the places are easy to walk to from the pier which we did on this cruise.)

This background information on Charlottetown is much appreciated! I knew absolutely nothing about Charlottetown, PEI!

Do I remember your saying in your Live Report that Charlottetown is a tender port because they are working on the pier? Also, the departure/arrival time depends on the "tide" because a bridge is involved?

LuLu

You read correctly.

At the rate they going, it's going to be a long time before the main pier for docking a ship is completed.