Why did Samuel de Champlain stop at port royal?

Answer 1

Champlain first settled in Canada on the banks of the St. John river in What is now New Brunswick in the very early 1600's. It was not a permanent settlement, just a camp to attempt trade with local aboriginals. After a winter where exposure and disease nearly wiped out his men, he set out in search of a location where he could set up a permanent fur trading center. In the year 1604, he discovered an inlet off of what is now the Bay of Fundy, and along the Basin shore on the north side found the site for his and Canada's first permanent settlement.

After constructing a 'Habitation' trading post, a large square fort like structure, roots were permanently established in Canada for years to come. Some of the original men who settled with Champlain here can be still traced to Canadian families. Including some of his leaders, Winniett and La Tour.

Champlain was so impressed by the natural port that protected him and the beauty of his surrounding, he named the area Port Royal. Over the Coming years, the French and local Miq Maq Indians developed a trust in one another and a friendship that would aid the French in battles with Briton for centuries. The Habitation at Port Royal would be attacked, burnt down, rebuilt and eventually abandoned.

It was the site of many firsts for the yet undeveloped country of Canada, including Canada's first theater and first social club, The Order Of Good Cheer, hosted by Champlain.

Champlain, a explorer, did not stay at Port Royal for many years, soon he had left, to procure other interests for France. He founded Quebec in 1608 and built it into a French empire that would last for well over a century.

At Port Royal a new settlement was laid by the men left behind by Champlain just up the river. In the ruthless battle for ownership of the new land a large garrison fort was carved out of the land at the new Port Royal site. Before long French families had settled in the town adjacent to the fort and beyond in what is now Nova Scotia and the colony was named Acadie and the settlers, Acadians.

Port Royal was the most fought for piece of property in North America for large parts of the 17th and 18th centuries. It changed hands many times, between British and French, but also Scottish an American Privateers. It was during the short Scottish rule, that the name Nova Scotia, latin for New Scotland was first given.

In 1710 Port Royal and Acadia were conquered by the British for the last time. The town Champlain had named over 100 years previous was permanently changed to Annapolis Royal, 'the Royal City of Anne', by Francis Nicholson to honor Queen Anne. Nicholson years later would also conquer and name Annapolis Maryland, the large USA Naval Port.

Annapolis Royal would serve as the head of Government in the British new world, as it had for the French until the founding of Halifax in 1759. To many, this makes the small remaining town of Annapolis Royal, the first Canadian Capital, something not credited in many history books.

The fort grounds in the town were designated Canada's first National Historic site and the town itself has now been designated as well. Because of this, a walk amongst the town, is like a trip back in time.

The original 'Habitation' was long rotted away when the Canadian Government decided to rebuild it in 1939-40. It still stands, itself a National Historic site, a reminder of the footprint Champlain left in the History of Canada.