![]() After 1880, the decline of shipbuilding elsewhere on Prince Edward Island and poor returns on shipping due to sluggish international trade undercut the local economy.Ĭharlottetown’s limited prosperity as well as residents’ vigorous opposition to taxes ensured thrift in the provision of community services. ![]() Shipbuilding in the city had virtually endedīy 1870, though ships built elsewhere on the Island were still finished there and the port retained its importance as a distribution point. ![]() In the 19th century, shipbuilding and ship owning were important elements in Charlottetown's economy, which was diversified somewhat by small-scale manufacturing such as tanning, brewing and shoe production. In the aftermath, defence systems which had been constructed prior to the American Revolution were strengthened. In 1775, Charlottetown was attacked by American privateers who looted homes, stole the colony’s official seal and kidnapped two government officials. These functions remain essential elements in the city's economy. As settlement of agricultural areas progressed, Charlottetownīecame a market town as well as a communications and administrative centre. Walter Patterson, who arrived in Charlottetown in 1770, began establishing essential administrative services, but just as significantly commenced work on roads to more distant parts of the colony. John's Island (renamed Prince Edward Island in 1799) from Nova Scotia and to make the little community the capital of the new colony. In 1769, the town's status was enhanced by a decision of the British government to separate St. Sites were designated for a market house, church, courthouse and jail, but it was some time before all of these facilities were provided. The original town plan provided for broad streets on a grid pattern, with the main axis running north from the Hillsborough River, a common for future expansion, andĪ royalty for pasturage and gardening. Via the rivers, and was close to Nova Scotia and a road to Halifax. While the area was distant from the lucrative fisheries, it offered excellent transportation corridors to the interior Laid out a new town site across the harbour, and the community was christened Charlottetown, after Charlotte, wife of King George III. In 1768, however, Charles Morris, chief surveyor of Nova Scotia, The British then renamed the settlement Fort Amherst and strengthened its defences. The arrival of British troops at Port La Joie the following month sealed the fate of its population as they,Īlong with the rest of the French and Acadians on the Island, either fled or were rounded up and deported. Thisĭecision was confirmed by the British when they finally achieved mastery in the region following the capitulation of Louisbourg in July 1758. The Mi'kmaq became involved in the fur trade, which altered their traditional way of life and brought new, deadly diseases.Īfter the assumption of direct control of Île Saint-Jean (the Island's French name) by the French government in 1730, Port La Joie was retained as the administrative centre, even though other locations on the Island showed more commercial promise. With the arrival of Europeans in the Maritimes, To the season, including edible plants, large and small game, water fowl, eels, fish and shellfish, and marine mammals such as seals and walruses.Įuropean settlement in the region dates back to 1720, when an expedition sent by the Comte de Saint-Pierre established itself west of the harbour's entrance at a site named Port La Joie. ![]() Abegweit, as the Mi'kmaq called Prince Edward Island, offered an abundance of food according Nomads, they would have frequented the Charlottetown area as the three rivers offered easy access to various parts of the Island. Around 2,000 years ago the Mi'kmaq established a presence there. Early Indigenous peoples are known to have been on Prince Edward Island as early as 10,600 years ago.
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