Annapolis Royal in Annapolis County, Nova Scotia — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)

Annapolis Royal Historic District

L’arrondissement historique d’Annapolis Royal

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 17, 2014

1. Annapolis Royal Historic District Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

English
From its strategic setting, Annapolis Royal has witnessed pivotal events in the history of European settlement in Canada. Located on a former Mi’kmaq meeting place, the townsite and its environs were known as Port-Royal by the French, who occupied the area in 1605. The distinctive Acadian settlement and agricultural patterns later developed on the surrounding marshlands. As the capital of the French colony of Acadia, Port-Royal experienced a tumultuous first century. Its fortifications were repeatedly besieged, captured and rebuilt in the English-French rivalry for dominance in North America. In 1713 France ceded Acadia to Britain. Port-Royal, renamed Annapolis Royal, served until 1749 as the capital of the British colony of Nova Scotia. Annapolis Royal’s richly layered history is embodied in today’s well-preserved townscape. The winding French road which linked the scattered Port-Royal houses survives as St. George Street. The town buildings provide a showcase of 18th and 19th century architecture, from the stately homes of upper St. George Street to the vernacular dwellings of the lower town.

French
En raison de son emplacement stratégique Annapolis Royal a été témoin d’événements décisifs dans l’historie de l’établissement des Européens au Canada. Jadis un lieu de rencontre mi’kmaq, le village et ses environs furent d’abord appelés Port-Royal par les Français qui occupèrent la région des 1605. Plus tard, les Acadiens développèrent leur mode distinctif d’établissement et d’agriculture dans les marais environnants. Capitale de la colonie française d’Acadie, Port-Royal vécut un premier siècle tumultueux. Ses fortifications furent maintes fois assiégées, détruites et reconstruites durant le longue lutte que se livrèrent les Français et les Britanniques pour la domination de l’Amérique du Nord. En 1713. la France céda l’Acadie à la Grande-Bretagne. Rebaptisée Annapolis Royal, l’agglomération devint jusqu’en 1749 la capitale de la Nouvelle-Écosse. La (?)esse architectural de périodes de l’histoire se traduit dans le paysage bien conservé de la ville. Le chemin sinueux qui reliait les maisons éparpillées de Port-Royal pendant le regime français subsiste sous le nom de St. George, Les bâtiments de la ville offrent une vitrine de l’architecture des XVIIIᵉ et XIVᵉ siècles, depuis les imposantes demeures de haut de la rue St. George jusqu’aux habitations vernaculaires dans la bas de la ville.

Erected 1998

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

by Historic Sites and Monument Board of Canada/Commission de lieux et monuments historique du Canada.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Acadian History, and the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1605.

Location. 44° 44.607′ N, 65° 31.193′ W. Marker is in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, in Annapolis County. It is on St. George Street close to St. James Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 253 St George Street8, Annapolis Royal NS B0S 1A0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Nova Scotia’s Evangeline Trail.

It is also in the Maritimes

and 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

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 17, 2014

2. Annapolis Royal Historic District Marker

Click on this image to enlarge it.
Captions (English / French): (clockwise from the center, top) DeGannes - Cosby House, circa 1708. / Maison DeGannes - Cosby, vers 1708.; Old Post Office, circa 1889. / Ancien bureau de poste, vers 1889.; Runciman House, circa 1817. / Maison Runciman, vers. 1817.; Historic streetscape - Lower St. George Street (Bailey House, Robertson Houe, Bonnett House, Murray House), circa 1755-1790. / (no French).; • The dot indicates heritage buildings and site within the historic zone. / • Les points désignent les bâtiments et lieux patrimoniaux situés dans l’arrondissement historique.

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Rose Fortune (a few steps from this marker); Masonic Stone of 1606 (within shouting distance of this marker); Sir William Robert Wolseley Winniett. (within shouting distance of this marker); Sir William Fenwick Williams (within shouting distance of this marker); William Wolseley (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Sieur de Monts (about 120 meters away); Major Erasmus James Philipps (about 120 meters away); Sinclair Inn (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Annapolis Royal.

<i>Post Office, Annapolis Royal, N.S.</i> image. Click for full size.

circa 1905

3. Post Office, Annapolis Royal, N.S.

This is the top middle building depicted in relief on the marker.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 17, 2014

4. Annapolis Royal Historic District Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 778 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 6, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3. submitted on November 7, 2014. 4. submitted on November 6, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.