History of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada

1719 - Port La Joie established
Three hundred settlers from France, sponsored by the commercial company of the Count de St-Pierre, established the first colony on the island, Port la Joie, at the entrance to the harbor of Charlottetown.

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1758 - Deportation
The Deportation of Acadians from Ile St-Jean (Prince Edward Island) took place. These Acadians were deported to France. It is however interesting to note that some Acadians escaped the Deportation on Ile St-Jean by escaping to Malpèque. The British did not realize they were in hiding in that place and they were never deported. Some of these families are those who would later become the founders of Tignish. The families consisted of Arsenault, Bernard, Chiasson, DesRoches, Doucet, Gaudet, Poirier and Richard.

August: British troops captured the French capital of Ille Saint Jean (Prince Edward Island) when Port La Joie fell. The English built Fort Amherst to replace the French Fort. Andrew Rollo (1703-1765) deported 3,500 inhabitants to France. About 300 people remained in remote and isolated parts of P.E.I. By 1768, Fort Amherst is abandoned and the center for maritime defense is relocated to Halifax. Many Acadians fled to Quebec only to be deported to France and England when... Read MORE...

1768 - October 25 - Port La Joie, the major town in Prince Edward Island, founded by the French, is renamed Charlottetown in honour of Queen Charlotte, wife of George III. Charlottetown, PEI

canadachannel.ca/ todayincanadianhistory/ index.php/ October_25

1816 - Cathedral Basilica of St. Dunstan established at Charlottetown

www.gcatholic.org

1873
CHARLOTTETOWN, the capital of Prince Edward Island, and of Queens co., is well situated on the Hillsborough River, near the southern coast. Lat. 46° 15' N., lon. 63° W. It is well built on a gently rising ground. The principal edifices are the government buildings, post office, court house, market, public hall, athenaeum, exchange, drill shed, Prince of Wales, St. Dunstan's and Methodist colleges, Normal school, convent, lunatic asylum, gaol, and 9 churches-Church of England (2), Roman Catholic Cathedral, Church of Scotland, Presbyterian (2,) Wesleyan Methodist, Baptist and Bible Christian. 1 semi-monthly, 1 semiweekly and 7 weekly newspapers are published in Charlottetown. The town contains, besides what is above enumerated, 3 banks, a savings bank, a woolen factory, iron foundry, ship building yards, &c. The streets, which are lighted with gas, are wide and well laid out. A railway is in course of construction which will connect the capital with the principal towns and villages on... Read MORE...

1873 - June 22 - Prince Edward Island Assembly agrees to petition Britain to allow the province to join Confederation; date later set as July 1, 1873. - Charlottetown, PEI

canadachannel.ca/ todayincanadianhistory/ index.php/ June_22

1895 - Charlottetown
Charlottetown, the capital of Prince Edward Island, and of Queens co, is on the Hillsborough River, near the southern coast. Lat. 46° 15' N.; lon. 63° 7' W. It is well built, and contains the government buildings, post office, court-house, market, public hall, athenaeum, ex change, drill-shed, Prince of Wales, St. Dunstan's and Methodist colleges, normal school, convent, lunatic asylum, jail, and 9 churches. A semi-weekly and 5 weekly newspapers are here published. The town also contains 3 banks, savings-bank, a woollen-factory, iron-foundry, ship building yards, &c. The streets, which are lighted with gas, are wide and well laid out. It is on a railway which connects it with the principal towns and villages on the island. It is a Catholic bishop's see. Pop. (1891) 11,374.
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

1911 - They've Found What Might Be a Sea Serpant's Bones
Charlottetown, P.E.I., Nov. 20 - Bones of a strange animal found at Grand Tracadie Beach are so unfamiliar and puzzling to residents here, that they will be place in the hands of a scientist to determine the identity of the strange skeleton.

Some scientists who have seen the animal believe that it may be the remains of a sea-serpent. It is thought that the find, which was caused by that shifting of the sasnd during the recent heay gale, may prove of great historic interest. The animal measures over eighteen feet in length.
Winston-Salem Journal
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
November 21, 1911

1912 - Falling Window Hangs Boy.
Charlottestown, P. E. I. - Harry Arbing, and 11 year old boy, was killed here by a strange accident.

He went to his school to light the fire, and, not having a key, stood a board against the side of the building and climbed to the window. The board slipped and the window came down on his neck, leaving him suspended there.

A neighbor noticed the boy hanging from the window and hastened to his rescue, but found he was dead.
Portsmouth Herald
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
June 19, 1912

1916
Charlotte town, a city, port of entry, and the capital of Prince Edward Island and of Queens co., is on the Hills borough River, near the southern coast. Lat. 46° 15' N. ; Lon. 63° 7' W. It is Well built, and contains the Provincial Building, court-house, a market, public hall, athenaeum, exchange, drill-shed, Prince of Wales, St. Dunstan's and Methodist colleges, normal school, convent of Notre Dame, lunatic asylum, etc. It has woollen-factories, an iron-foundry, railroad-shops, ship-building yards, etc. It is the seat of an active trade. The Prince Edward Island R. connects it with the principal towns and villages on the island. It is a Catholic bishop's see. Pop. in 1901, 12,080.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

1929 - Church of the Holy Redeemer established in Charlottetown

www.gcatholic.org

1931 - FIRE AT HOSPITAL FOR INSANE KILLS THREE, 300 PATIENTS DRIVEN INTO COLD OF NIGHT.
Charlottetown, P.E.I., Dec. 15 - With two known dead and three missing persons believed also to have lost their lives in the flames, the Falconwood hospital for the insane was in ashes today after a spectacular fire that spread terror among the hospital's 400 patients.

The two known dead were:
DON MacKENZIE, 65, who fell from a top floor window as he tried to grab hold of an extension ladder.
FRANCIS MacDONALD, 35, who jumped from another window.
Three others believed to have perished were WILLIAM McGUINN, MARSHALL SMITH, and an Indian whose name was not ascertained.
The fire, the origin of which was not determined, drove the hospital's 400 patients into the biting cold.
The property loss was estimated to be between $250,000 and $500,000.
The patients dazed, wandered uncertainly about in the light of the fire, but there was no disorder. Many patients, after the shock of their narrow escape had passed, assisted in the work of relief to those of their number who had been... Read MORE...

Here's a list of some of the best places to go and things to do in Charlottetown:
Charlottetown Waterfront: Start your visit with a leisurely stroll along the waterfront. You'll find a beautiful boardwalk with stunning views of the harbor, and it's a great place to enjoy a sunset.

Confederation Centre of the Arts: This cultural hub is home to art galleries, theaters, and the Confederation Centre Art Gallery. Check their schedule for live performances and art exhibitions.

Victoria Row: A charming pedestrian street filled with shops, restaurants, and outdoor patios. It's a great place for shopping, dining, and people-watching.

Province House National Historic Site: Known as the "Birthplace of Canada," this historic building is where the 1864 Charlottetown Conference took place, leading to the formation of Canada. You can take guided tours to learn about its history.

Beaconsfield Historic House: Explore this beautifully restored 19th-century mansion, offering a glimpse into Charlottetown's Victorian era. The house is now a museum, and tours are... Read MORE...