Main 
About Charlottetown History Lesson
[ français ]
 |
||
|
Victoria Row, the former market centre of Charlottetown, is home to a wide variety of shopping and dining needs.
|
|
History of Charlottetown
1765
Samuel Holland surveyed St. John's Island. He recommended that Charlotte Town be the capital because "as this side of the Island cannot have a fishery it may probably be thought expedient to indulge it with some particular privileges." Named for Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III of England, the town comprised 270 acres of building lots and 565 acres of common pasture area. The original 500 building lots were situated between the waterfront and Euston Street.
1834
Fanningbank, also known as Government House, was designed by Isaac Smith and built by Smith Brothers and Wright. Fanningbank has been the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor since it was built in 1834.
1843–47
Province House National Historic Site of Canada was erected by architect Isaac Smith. The cornerstone was laid in May 1843 and the first session of the Prince Edward Island legislature in January 1847 marked the official opening of the Colonial Building. In 1864, the Fathers of Confederation met in this building to discuss the union of the colonies.
1855
On April 13th, His Excellency Sir Dominick Day, then Lieutenant Governor, declared the Town and Common of Charlottetown to be a City in the name, style and title of Charlottetown.
1864
Charlottetown hosted the Charlottetown Conference in September, the initial meeting to discuss the union of the colonies that would ultimately lead to the formation of Canada on July 1st, 1867.
1872
Railway legislation was passed and construction of the railway that would connect one tip of the Island to the other began.
1873
Prince Edward Island joined Confederation. Although Islanders had resisted joining Confederation up until this point, the huge debt the Island had incurred building the railway helped convince them to join Canada.
1877
Beaconsfield near Victoria Park, was built from a W.C. Harris design for a prominent shipbuilder, James Peake Jr. The property is open year-round for tours, lectures and special events, and serves as the headquarters for the Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation.
1913
St. Dunstan's Basilica is built and is the fourth Roman Catholic church to occupy this site since 1816. It is built of Miramichi freestone. In 1816 a small wooden church was built on the present site. In 1863, a new larger church was built and replaced in 1896 by a stone cathedral. On March 7, 1913, fire destroyed the church and St. Dunstan's Basilica was built during the First World War.
1964
The Confederation Centre of the Arts is built as the National Memorial to the Fathers of Confederation, who met at the Charlottetown Conference in 1864, to discuss the idea of Confederation. The Centre features the world-famous Charlottetown Festival, Canadian musical theatre and comedy, art, exhibitions, music, dining, shopping and free guided tours.
1993
Great George Street is designated as a National Historic District. It is graced with the visual splendor of Province House National Historic Site of Canada, the seat of Island government and the Birthplace of Confederation. In 1864, the Fathers of Confederation, attending the Charlottetown Conference, landed on this famous street. Departing daily late June to late September from Founders' Hall, Walking Tours of Great George Street - National Historic District with the Confederation Players are available.
2001
Founders' Hall, Canada's Birthplace Pavilion, celebrates its grand opening. The 1906 building was originally the CN railway car repair shop, now it houses Founders' Hall, a 21,000 square foot heritage attraction, restaurant and retail boutique.
