Downtown in Charlottetown in Queens County, Prince Edward Island — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)
Cutting Edge Design
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Un Plan avant-gardiste
Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, October 13, 2024
1. Cutting Edge Design/Un Plan avant-gardiste Marker
Unlike many New World settlements, Charlottetown was planned before it was built. Importing Old World amenities and new theories of design, the town plan was a chance for Britain to learn from past mistakes. After the site was selected in 1765, Charles Morris was sent from Halifax to tackle the task. On his heels came the surveyor Thomas Wright, who expanded Morris's ideas in 1771. These original plans are still part of the city today. As you explore the city’s historic downtown, try spotting the key elements in Wright’s design: 500 building lots equal in size, wide streets running north from the harbour, four public squares, and a central square for government, court, market, and church.
Contrairement à beaucoup de localités du Nouveau Monde, on a planifié Charlottetown avant de la construire. En y incorporant des commodités des vieux pays et des nouvelles théories en matière d'aménagement, le plan de la ville est alors occasion pour les Britanniques de tirer parti des erreurs commises dans le passé. Après avoir choisi l'emplacement
this page online
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Daring for its day Charlottetown’s original town plan is still visible in the city today.
On peut encore voir aujourd’hui les résultats du plan original de la ville de Charlottetown, un plan plutôt audacieux pour son époque.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.
Location. 46° 13.899′ N, 63° 7.766′ W. Marker is in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, in Queens County. It is in Downtown. It is on Sydney Street near Rochford Street. This marker is located in Connaught Square near Sydney St. and Rochford St. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Charlottetown PE C1A 4B7, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Coastal P. E. I. It is also in Atlantic Canada. Globally, it is in North America and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Charlottetown Hospital (1879-1982) (within shouting distance of this marker); Dundas Terrace (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); Sherman M4A2 Medium Battle Tank (about 210 meters away); Sir Louis Henry Davis (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Evolution of Queen Square / L'évolution de Queen Square (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Peake House (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Pub Politics / Des politiques de taverne (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Black Islanders / Les Insulaires noirs (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlottetown.
Also see . . .
1. History of Charlottetown. The History of Charlottetown can be traced back to the original French military settlement established on the site in 1720. Over the years Charlottetown has grown to become the largest and most important city on Prince Edward Island. (Submitted on November 4, 2024, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)
2. City History. On the northern side of the 500 Lots (the main town site), a 565-acre buffer of land called a common was established for future town expansion. Adjacent to the Common was the Royalty which was a large expanse of 12 acre fields set aside for pastureland. Many changes have occurred over the years, but the basic plan of the 500 Lots, Common and Royalty are still evident. (Submitted on November 4, 2024, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2024, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 101 times since then and 6 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on November 4, 2024, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
