Near Calais in Washington County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)

Building A Community / Tout à bâtir

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 18, 2018

1. Building A Community / Tout à bâtir Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

"...all set to clear the island, to fetch wood, to cut timber, to carry earth & other things necessary for the construction of the buildings."
Samuel Champlain Journal, 1604 (translation)

Pierre Dugua's settlement plans were ambitious. On the island, the colonists built a French-style community with a central square surrounded by houses and service buildings. Here on the mainland, they planted gardens and erected a water-powered mill. As best they could, they prepared for life in the "New World."

At the end of August, the ships returned to France. How do you think the settlers felt, knowing that if the ships sunk, nobody would know where they were?

The French brought many building materials with them. Archeological excavations on the island have uncovered yellow bricks from Normandy.

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«...tous se mirêt à deffricher l'isle, aller au bois, charpenter, porter de la terre & autres choses necessaires pour les batimens.» Samuel Champlain, Journal, 1604

Les

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projets de colonisation de Pierre Dugua sont ambitieux. Sur l'île, les pionniers construisent un village de style français, avec une place centrale entourée de maisons et de bâtiments de services. Ici, sur le continent, ils plantent des jardins et érigent un moulin à eau. Ils se préparent de leur mieux à vivre dans le «nouveau monde».

À la fin août, les navires sont retournés en France. Que pouvaient bien ressentir les pionniers, sachant que, si les navires sombraient, personne ne saurait où ils se trouvent?

[La légende de l'illustration se lit]
Les Français avaient apporté avec eux quantité de matériaux de construction. Des briques jaunes de la Normandie ont été découvertes lors de fouilles archéolgiques dans l'île.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1604.

Location. 45° 7.438′ N, 67° 8.79′ W. Marker is near Calais, Maine, in Washington County. Marker is on the grounds of Saint Croix Island International Historic Site, along the interpretive trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 84 Saint Croix Drive, Calais ME 04619, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Strangers Offshore / Étrangers du grand large (a few steps from this

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 18, 2018

2. Building A Community / Tout à bâtir Marker

marker); Settling on Saint Croix Island / Colonisation de l'île Sainte-Croix (a few steps from this marker); Exploring the Coast / Exploration de la côte (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Saint Croix Island International Historic Site / An Enduring Legacy (within shouting distance of this marker); Trapped For The Winter / Prisonniers de l'hiver (within shouting distance of this marker); Lessons Learned / Leçons durement apprises (within shouting distance of this marker); Saint Croix Island (within shouting distance of this marker); Imagining the Settlement / La colonie telle qu'on l'imagine (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Calais.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Saint Croix Island International Historic Site / Île Sainte-Croix Lieu historique international

Also see . . .
1. Saint Croix Island International Historic Site. (Submitted on October 20, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Saint Croix Island International Historic Site Audio Files for Interpretive Trail

Statue Complimenting Building A Community / Tout à bâtir Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 18, 2018

3. Statue Complimenting Building A Community / Tout à bâtir Marker

. (Submitted on October 20, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 24, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 152 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 20, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.