Rarely can you travel in
a straight line from point-A to point-B up here. There’s usually a body of
water or a mountain in the way. Our trip to the Fortress of Louisbourg was no exception. We crossed rivers and a
channel and climbed Kellys Mountain to get there. The 153 mile round trip was
well worth the effort.
About the Fortress
Louisbourg served as a fishing port, a military base and a center of
commerce in the eighteenth century. It was created in 1713, flourished for less
than 50 years, and was abandoned. The fortifications were demolished in 1760.
Canada began a project
to recreate approximately 25% of the original town and fortifications in 1961. After
20 years of work, they have reconstructed about 20% of the fortress as it existed
in 1744.
We traveled from the
Visitor Reception Center to the fortress by bus. We explored on our own.
Highlights
We were particularly
impressed by the guides. They were dressed in period costume and provided an
excellent overview of the history and people of Louisbourg.
We arrived just in time
to view the canon firing. Then we viewed the fort and the village.
A sampling of pictures follow ...
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| Approaching the fortress |
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| Earthen glasis forms outer defenses |
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| Dauphin Gate |
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| Moat at 11:45am |
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Moat at 3:15pm
not very useful at low tide |
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| Musket salvo before canons fire |
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| Canon firing from the King's Bastion Ramparts |
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King's Bastion barracks and
governor's apartments |
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| South end of King's Bastion |
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| Military chapel |
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| Guard house |
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| Bobbin lace making |
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| Recruits being drilled |
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| Sheep graze within the town |
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| Frederic Gate |
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| A period gentleman and his lady |
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| Homes & businesses along the waterfront |
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| Dauphin Demi-Bastion |
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| Des Roches fishing property |
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| This fisherman had quite a sense of humor. |
Of Note
It was hard to remember that what we saw has been reconstructed from millions of artifacts, the ruins of fortifications and buildings, 750,000 documents, and 500 maps and plans copied from archives in France, England, Scotland, the United States and Canada.
We had also planned to visit the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site. We didn't return from the fortress in time to do so.
Tomorrow
We're heading for Risser's Beach Provincial Park (near LaHave) and a visit with Fran Lewis.
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