Castle Hill, Newfoundland and Labrador

Castle Hill is an area containing the remains of both French and British fortifications, overlooking the town of Placentia (formerly known as Plaisance) in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The site was originally established in order to protect the French fishing interests in Newfoundland and the approaches to the French colony of Canada.

History
French forces successfully raided British settlements during times of war while Fort Royal, atop Castle Hill, protected the colony from attack by British warships. In 1713, the French gave up their right to settlement in Newfoundland and established a new stronghold at Louisbourg on Cape Breton Island. British settlers replaced the French and their soldiers garrisoned the fortifications until 1811.

Castle Hill National Historic Site
Designated a National Historic Site in 1968, after years of archeological projects, today the ruins of the fortare managed by Parks Canada, and known as Castle Hill National Historic Site.

Key elements of the site today:

Detached Redoubt (1697) and Fort Royal (1693–1703)
 * Horseshoe Battery – unexcavated remains
 * La Fontaine Battery (1697) – unexcavated remains
 * Remains of the walls of Gaillardin Redoubt (1692),
 * remains of British blockhouse (1762)
 * 6 smoothbore cannons – added 1930s

The visitor center features exhibits about the history of the fort, and the lives of the fishing families and soldiers who lived there.

Legacy
On 28 June 1985 Canada Post issued 'Castle Hill, Nfld., circa 1762' one of the 20 stamps in the “Forts Across Canada Series” (1983 & 1985). The stamps are perforated 12Â½ x 13 and were printed by Ashton-Potter Limited based on the designs by Rolf P. Harder.

Units at the garrison

 * French Army


 * British Army
 * Independent Companies of Foot (1713–1718)
 * Independent Company of Artillery (1713–1726)
 * Ordnance Engineers (Royal Engineers) 1714–1870
 * Phillip's Regiment of Foot – Ex. Independent Coys Placentia, 40th Regiment of Foot, 1st. Battalion South Lancashire Regiment (1718–1764)
 * 1st. Battalion Royal Artillery – Ex. Independent Company of Artillery (1726–1756)