This park, proclaimed in 1937, is located along the north shore of the Canadian Province of Prince Edward Island, covering 19.2 sq km (7 sq mi).
Early Aboriginal people were the first cultural group to inhabit Prince Edward Island. They relied entirely upon that which they could obtain from the land and sea for their livelihood.
The Mi’kmaqs were here when Europeans began to visit and later settle on the island. They continue to live on Prince Edward Island now. Archaeological digs in the park have found traces left by the major cultures that have existed on Prince Edward Island over the past
10,000 years. Acadians, French, British colonists settled here.
An important Mi’kmaq site in the park is on Blooming Point, a long sand spit forming the north side of Tracadie Bay. An aboriginal burial ground was found on the north side of the point in 1959.
French and Acadian settlers began to farm in the Havre Saint Pierre area in the 1720s. As it was sheltered from prevailing winds and was very close to the rich cod-fishing grounds in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Havre Saint Pierre was considered one of the best “bar harbours” for small boats on the Island’s north shore.
Havre Saint Pierre was first established as a fishing community but farming gradually became more important. The ample supply of fresh water, good soil, wood for fuel and construction and suitable grazing made it a good area for farming.
Two of the most frequently visited historical sites in the park are Green Gables and Dalvay-by-the-Sea National Historic Site.
Green Gables, which once belonged to cousins of L.M. Montgomery’s grandfather, is the farm that inspired the setting of Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables. Montgomery was recognized as a person of national historic significance by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada shortly after her death in 1942.
See map of the park.
We would like to thank the staffs at Prince Edward Island National Park and Parks Canada for providing information for this page.
See also: National Parks of Canada.
