Share the dramatic story of Saint Croix Island. In 1604, over a hundred artisans, soldiers, and gentlemen sailed here from France in a bold attempt to establish a European colony north of Florida. They built a settlement on an island offshore and . . . — — Map (db m125121) HM
"...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 . . . — — Map (db m125214) HM
"...I set out from Ste. Croix on September 2...with twelve sailors and two Indians to serve us as guides to the places with which they were acquainted."
Samuel Champlain Journal, 1604 (translation)
In late summer Pierre . . . — — Map (db m125217) HM
This model shows the Saint Croix Island colony as depicted by Samuel Champlain. His depiction was idealized. Archeological research has revealed discrepancies in building size and location.
[Sketch caption reads]
Plan for 1604 Saint . . . — — Map (db m125257) HM
"The Sieur de Mons decided to remove elsewhere...to escape the cold and dreadful winter..."
Samuel Champlain Journal, 1605 (translation)
After the terrible winter, Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons, ordered his men to take down . . . — — Map (db m125245) HM
St. Croix Island has been presented to the United States of America as a monument to Sieur de Monts and Samuel de Champlain on the North American continent. The creation of this monument has been accomplished as a result of the public spirit and . . . — — Map (db m125115) HM
"...His Majesty commanded the Sieur de Mons to prepare a fresh expedition..."
Samuel Champlain Journal, 1604 (translation)
The newcomers who landed on the island offshore came from France. Their leader was Pierre Dugua, . . . — — Map (db m125161) HM
In 1604, this was the land of the Passamaquoddy. In June, several families would have been camped here harvesting fish and shellfish. Nobody knows what the residents thought when a large ship landed at a nearby island. We do know they helped the . . . — — Map (db m125159) HM
"During the winter a certain malady attacked many of our people...
We could find no remedy..."
Samuel Champlain Journal, 1604 (translation)
When winter came, treacherous ice made crossing to the mainland impossible. . . . — — Map (db m125238) HM
English:
Welcome On Saint Croix Island in 1604, French nobleman-courtier Pierre Dugua Sieur de Monts established a settlement. This outpost was the first attempt by the French at year-round colonization in the territory they . . . — — Map (db m144495) HM
English: Samuel de Champlain, explorer and geographer on Sieur de Monts' expedition, recorded in late June 1604 that:
”...we entered a river... wherein...we found two islands — one very small and near the western . . . — — Map (db m144496) HM
English:
The Micmac, Maliseet, and Passamaquoddy hunters and traders provided a commercial lifeline for Sieur de Monts' colony. Their first-hand knowledge of the territory allowed these entrepreneurs to control the supply of furs. . . . — — Map (db m144497) HM
English:
Sieur de Monts named the island Saint Croix Island, and Champlain recorded that: "The island is covered with fir, birch, maple, and oak. It is naturally well located... and is easy to fortify... We considered this the . . . — — Map (db m144498) HM
English:”Having found no place more suitable than this island... Sieur de Monts… allowed me to draw up the plan of our settlement."
Seventy-nine men, including noblemen, artisans, labourers, Catholic and . . . — — Map (db m144499) HM
English:
The precise mapping of Acadie in the 17th century was the work of one individual — Samuel de Champlain.
Between May 1604 and August 1605, travelling by barque, pinnace, canoe or on foot, Champlain surveyed and . . . — — Map (db m144500) HM
English:”It was difficult to know the country without having wintered there... Winter came upon us sooner than we had expected..."
Could you survive a winter on Saint Croix Island if...
• dangerous ice cut you . . . — — Map (db m144501) HM
English:"In order to escape the cold and dreadful winter we experienced on Saint Croix Island, Sieur de Monts decided to move the settlement to another location. Having… found no port that was acceptable to us... we outfitted . . . — — Map (db m144502) HM
English:
In 1984, the United States Congress designated Saint Croix Island an international historic site in recognition of the historical significance of the Island to the United States and Canada.
The majestic Saint Croix . . . — — Map (db m144503) HM
