14
Immediately work began to clear the island and neighbouring mainland to construct their dwellings, a kitchen, a storehouse, a blacksmith shop and a chapel. Work went well and by late September construction was complete.15
Champlain's view of the settlement on Isle de Saint Croix1604
16
"The earliest record of skating in North America is credited to this expedition. Besides hunting and downing rabbits in the cold weather, the men went ‘skating on the ponds', according to Port Royal historian Marc Lecarbot." (Dan Soucoup)17
Isle de Saint Croix from air1983
18
By June of 1605 Dugas had already made the decision to move to a more hospitable site. St. Croix Island would be revisited by members of the Port Royale settlement in the following years, but never re-occupied by them.In 1784 the United Empire Loyalists arrived following the American War of Independence. 168 men, women and children left their homes in the new republic of the United States of America to resettle in British North America. These Loyalists founded St. Stephen and Milltown, prospering in their new home.
19
Docks and wharves of St. Stephen, NB and Calais ME1880
20
The area grew both economically and culturally and by 1800 St. Stephen was perhaps the most important regional port for shipments of timber and lumber overseas. Both sides of the St. Croix River were studded with numerous shipyards and wharves as the "Golden Era" began. St. Stephen, NB and Calais, Maine shared lives as "border towns' in a most amicable fashion21
St. Stephen1905
22
To this day, St. Stephen residents take pride in the atmosphere of concord and cooperation with their American neighbours in Calais, a tradition since the War of 1812.23
Former Kirk McColl Church1920
24
When news of the declaration of war reached St. Stephen on June 27, the Methodist preacher, Duncan McColl was able to convince his congregation that the great issues of the day could never be decided at this border juncture, and a truce was arranged which lasted for the duration of the war.The Kirk-McColl Church on King Street reminds later generations of Duncan McColl's contribution to peace.
25
St. Stephen town logo7 May 2004
26
St. Stephen was incorporated as a town in 1871, then five years later its business district was almost totally consumed by fire when eighty buildings and thirteen wharves were destroyed.27
King Street, St. Stephen, NB1930
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