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flag  History of Charlesbourg, Québec, Québec, Canada

Journey back in time to Charlesbourg, Québec, Québec, Canada

(Bourg Royal)

Explore Charlesbourg, Québec, Québec, Canada! Uncover its rich history and discover the stories of the people who once called it home. Dive into old newspaper articles, vintage pictures, postcards, and genealogy to learn more about this fascinating town.

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Charlesbourg, Québec, Québec, Canada - Charlesbourg, Québec, Québec, Canada - Eglise de Charlesbourg, built 1813

The first settlement of Charlesbourg dates back to the 1660s when the Jesuits organized the nucleus of a colony in a place known as the Trait-Carré, meaning "perpendicular." The name Charlesbourg originates from this time from a chapel built at Bourg-Royal, in honour of St Charles Borromée. The village site at the Trait-Carré had a rather characteristic triangular parcelling-out of the land radiating outwards from a central square, in the centre of which the church was located. The land allotted to every tenant would fan out from that point in an isosceles triangular shape away from the town square. In this way, the farmhouses would all be situated close to the town centre, making it easy for everyone to help out and to participate in community-oriented tasks and festivities while being in a position to defend the village against attacks.

www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca

NOTE: In early days, this village was sometimes referred to as Petite-Rivière-Saint-Charles or simply Saint-Charles.



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Charlesbourg Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards

Charlesbourg, Québec, Québec, Canada - Eglise de Charlesbourg, built 1813
Charlesbourg, Québec, Québec, Canada

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Eglise de Charlesbourg, built 1813
Charlesbourg, Québec, Québec, Canada - Charlesbourg (1830)
Library and Archives Canada, Acc. No. 1989-262-21
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca
Charlesbourg, Québec, Québec, Canada

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Charlesbourg (1830)
Library and Archives Canada, Acc. No. 1989-262-21
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca
Charlesbourg, Québec, Québec, Canada - Charlebourg and the St. Charles River, October 28, 1836
Library and Archives Canada, Acc. No. 1983-
Charlesbourg, Québec, Québec, Canada

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Charlebourg and the St. Charles River, October 28, 1836
Library and Archives Canada, Acc. No. 1983-47-128
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca
Charlesbourg, Québec, Québec, Canada - Le Grand Seminare des Peres Eudistes, Charlesbourg (Comte de Quebec)
Charlesbourg, Québec, Québec, Canada

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Le Grand Seminare des Peres Eudistes, Charlesbourg (Comte de Quebec)
Charlesbourg, Québec, Québec, Canada - Cusine de la Tournee du Moulin, Maurice Dubeau, Prop.
Charlesbourg, Québec, Québec, Canada

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Cusine de la Tournee du Moulin, Maurice Dubeau, Prop.

Discover Charlesbourg: History, News, Travel, and Stories

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1541 - At the mouth of the Cap Rouge River, Jacques Cartier founds Charlesbourg-Royal, the first French settlement in America.

fccs.ok.ubc.ca/about/links/resources/canadian-history/prehistory-to-1800.html

Read more about Jacques CARTIER photo of Jacques CARTIER
1542 - Charlesbourg-Royal is abandoned. Cartier meets the sieur de Roberval, who was officially part of the same expedition, in Newfoundland.

fccs.ok.ubc.ca/about/links/resources/canadian-history/prehistory-to-1800.html

Read more about Jacques CARTIER photo of Jacques CARTIER
1659 - Charlesbourg founded

1666 Census - There were 112 people living at Charlesbourg and Notre-Dame-des-Anges on the St Charles river.

www.canadiangenealogy.net/ chronicles/ new_france.htm
1674 - The first recorded Austrian to come to what is now Canada was the Vienna-born Hans Daigle (possibly "Degler" or "Deger"), a soldier in the service of France, who purchased land in Charlesbourg, Quebec in 1674.
Sometime courrier de bois with Des Grosseillers and Radisson, he married Marie-Anne Perroteau in 1685. We know relatively littel of his life and death, and Daigle apparently remained poor all his days. But he became the patriarchal ancestor of the enormous Daigle family of Quebec, and thus can stand as a symbol for the countless unnamed and unknown Austrians who may lurk in the family trees of many Canadians...
A History of the Austrian Migration to Canada edited by Englemann, Prokop and Szabo, 1996
1792 - June 27 - Prince Edward, Duke of Kent intervenes in an election riot
His close friend, Louis de Salaberry, is running in a local election for a seat in the Lower Canadian legislature; with Salaberry in the lead when the Charlesbourg polling station closes, a group of English voters arrive late demanding to be allowed to cast their votes for the English candidate; when a riot breaks out, Edward arrives just as the rioters are pulling down the voting station; addressing them in French, he disperses the crowd with these words: “Let me hear no more of the odious distinctions of French and English. You are all his Britannic Majesty’s Canadian subjects!”; first time “Canadian” is used to describe both French and English cultures in the colony, not just the French.

canadachannel.ca/ todayincanadianhistory/ index.php/ June_27
1832 - The Village of Charlesbourg
is pleasantly and conspicuously situated on a rising ground of considerable eminence about 4 files N. of Quebec, and consists of about 70 houses, well built and mostly of a respectable appearance, to each of which a good garden and small orchard are attached. This village is one of the oldest and most interesting settlements in Canada. It has two churches, one lately built, the other, though smaller and less commodious, is far more interesting, having become the centre of the surrounding farms, whence they all radiate. - The reason of this singular character in the surrounding allotments arose from the absolute necessity to create a neighbourhood, for which purpose each farm was permitted to occupy only a space of three acres in front by thirty in depth. This contiguous and continuous neighbourhood had its peculiar advantages. Population was scanty and labour difficult to be procured; by this arrangement the facility to keep up a road in front of each farm (which it was the duty of... Read MORE...

1873
CHARLESBOURG, the chief town of the county of Quebec, situated in rear of Beauport, 4 miles from Quebec. It has an extensive lumber and general trade, and contains a church and convent. Pop. 800.
Lovell's gazetteer of British North America; J. Lovell; Montreal, 1873
1889 - The Hidden Treasure
Quebec, May 4. - Another complication has risen in connection with the supposed hidden treasure on Madeline street, old citizens now recalling that shortly after the great fire of 1845 a report was current that a poor man named Croteau who resided in the neighborhood dug up or discovered a box of treasure, Croteau's subsequent condition giving strong color to this report. From extreme poverty he suddenly sprang into affluence and purchased a valuable farm and handsome residence for himself at Charlesbourg, three miles outside the city, lent money on interest to the neighbors and lived in good style until his death some years since.
Grand Forks Herald
Grand Forks, North Dakota
May 5, 1889
1890 - Charlesbourg
Charlesbourg. vil., Que., chef-lieu of co. and 4 m. from Quebec, on the St Lawrence.
The Pocket Atlas and Gazetteer of the Dominion of Canada
John George Bartholomew John Murdoch Harper January 1, 1890 London : J. Walker
1895 - Charlesbourg
Charlesbourg, shariz'boorg’, the capital of the co, of Quebec, Canada, on the St. Lawrence, 4 miles below Quebec. It has an extensive lumber and general trade, and contains a convent. Pop. 800.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
Charlesbourg
Charlesbourg, Qué, Ville, pop 70 310 (2001c), 70 942 (1996c), 70 792 (1991cA), area 66.28 km2, inc 1976, following the merger of the cities of Orsainville and Notre-Dame-des-Laurentides, the town of Charlesbourg (1949) and the municipality of Charlesbourg-Est (1928). Charlesbourg is located northeast of QUÉBEC CITY and west of the city of BEAUPORT. This residential suburb of Québec City is the fourth-largest urban centre of the Québec Urban Community. Like Beauport, it has increased by more than 20 000 people over the last 25 years, as a result of the growth in the number of Québec civil servants.

The first settlement of Charlesbourg dates back to the 1660s when the Jesuits organized the nucleus of a colony in a place known as the Trait-Carré, meaning "perpendicular." The name Charlesbourg originates from this time from a chapel built at Bourg-Royal, in honour of St Charles Borromée. The village site at the Trait-Carré had a rather characteristic triangular parcelling-out of the... Read MORE...

Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or simply looking for some local experiences, here's a list of places to go and things to do in Charlesbourg:
Visit the Charlesbourg Heritage Site: Start your exploration by visiting the Charlesbourg Heritage Site. It's an excellent place to learn about the history of the area. The site includes the Maison Garneau, a historic house dating back to the 18th century, and the Saint-Charles Church, an impressive stone church built in 1853.

Take a Stroll in Parc de la Falaise: This beautiful park offers a peaceful escape from the city. It features walking trails, picnic areas, and stunning views of the St. Lawrence River. It's a perfect spot for a leisurely walk or a family outing.

Explore Domaine de Maizerets: This historic estate turned park is a fantastic place for nature enthusiasts. You can wander through lush gardens, admire the impressive manor house, and even go bird watching by the ponds. It's a serene and picturesque destination.

Indulge in Local Cuisine: Quebec is famous for its delicious food, and Charlesbourg is no exception. Try some local specialties like poutine, tourtière... Read MORE...

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Updated: 2/27/2025 8:15:37 PM