Downtown in St. John's in Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland and Labrador — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)

Sir Humphrey Gilbert

ca. 1537-1583

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, July 2024

1. Sir Humphrey Gilbert Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

A native of Devon and half-brother of Walter Raleigh, Humphrey Gilbert was one of the first Englishmen to propose the establishment of colonies in North America. In 1583 as leader of an expedition to seek a likely place for a settlement, he spent two weeks in this vicinity, claiming the surrounding territory for Queen Elizabeth I, asserting his authority over the fishermen in the harbour and exploring the countryside. He left with plans to establish a colony here the following season but on the homeward voyage his small vessel foundered in mid-Atlantic and he was drowned.

Explorateur né dans le Devon et demi-frère de Walter Raleigh, Humphrey Gilbert fut un des premiers à proposer une colonisation anglaise en Amérique du Nord. En 1583, il dirigea une expédition chargée de trouver un site propice, il passa deux semaines dans la région, prit possession de Terre-Neuve au nom de la reine Élisabeth, imposa son autorité aux pêcheurs du port et explora les environs. Il repartit avec un plan de colonisation pour la saison suivante, mais au cours du voyage de retour, son petit navire échoua, et il se noya.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Erected by Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1583.

Location. 47° 34.035′ N, 52° 42.16′ W. Marker is in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, in Avalon Peninsula. It is in Downtown. It is on Water Street. Located in Harbourside Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 85 Water Street, St John's NL A1C 1A5, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Newfoundland and Labrador’s Avalon Peninsula.

It is also in Atlantic Canada.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

and Acadia.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Newfoundland National War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); 28 Cochrane Street (about 240 meters away, measured in a direct line); Bannerman House (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Bank of British North America (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Former Bank of British North America (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); William Carson (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Masonic Temple (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Fort William / Le Fort William (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. John's.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2025, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. This page has been viewed 47 times since then and 21 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on December 8, 2025, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. photo of the marker within its surroundings. • Can you help?