History & Heritage of PEI

Known as the “Birthplace of Confederation”, the island's capitol Charlottetown, is where the idea of Canada was born in 1864.

 

The island was originally occupied by the Míkmaq, a Native American people who called it Abegweit: which literally means 'lying down flat' - a description of the island's shape.

 

Though French explorer (Jacques Cartier) 'discovered' the island in 1534, it remained unoccupied until the French established a settlement in 1720 at Port La Joye, which is just across the harbour from present-day Charlottetown.

In 1745, just 25 years later, the French were expelled by British forces who destroyed two of the three main French settlements on the island, renaming it St John's Island. The island did not stay under British rule long tough, and was traded in 1748 back to France in exchange for a city in India. Ten years later, however, and the British once again take the island, deporting almost all of the French and Acadian settlers.

After the the Treaty of Paris in 1763, the island is annexed to Nova Scotia by the British, for bookkeeping purposes and is divided into lots a few years later. The lots are granted to a few private proprietors who in 1769 lobby together for the island's independence and are granted their own administration and Governor.

1799: the island is renamed to its current Prince Edward Island title, in honour of the Duke of Kent, father of Queen Victoria.

1803: 800 Scottish settlers arrive from Belfast with a booming population growth that by the mid 1800s, accounts for half the island's population.

By 1851, the island had gained more independence from Britain, with an administration that was responsible for everything except foreign trade and defence.

In 1855 Charlottetown becomes the island's first city amid an economical boom due to busy shipyards, that fuel the local economy until 1880 when the industry collapses.

In the 1890s, the economy booms again due to the world-wide demand for silver fox pelts, with a captivity breeding program that is exclusive to the island.

In 1908, the famous Anne of Green Gables is published for the first time, with numerous sequels published during the author's life. The books are still highly successful and have resulted in a thriving tourism industry based on locations in the books.

By the 1920s, traffic between the island and mainland Canada is increasing, with ferries regularly shipping cars, passengers and cargo across the water. This traffic continues to increase as the decades pass, with the economy growing steadily due to trade with the mainland.

In 1969 a plan is signed with Ottawa to propel the island's economy into the modern age, culminating ultimately in the opening of the Confederation Bridge in 1997.

 

With the opening of the Bridge, PEI becomes a world class holiday destination, known for it's beautiful scenery, red sand beaches and a place for families to come together in the summer.