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It has been suggested that [[::Fort Royal (Plaisance)|Fort Royal (Plaisance)]] be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since September 2013. |
| Castle Hill | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1662 |
| Location | Placentia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. |
| Type | Historic fortifications |
| Website | |
National Historic Site of Canada | |
| Official name | Castle Hill National Historic Site of Canada |
| Designated | 1968 |
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.[1]
Castle Hill National Historic Site[]
Designated a National Historic Site in 1968,[2] 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:
- Horseshoe Battery – unexcavated remains
- La Fontaine Battery (1697) – unexcavated remains
- Remains of the walls of Gaillardin Redoubt (1692),
Detached Redoubt (1697) and Fort Royal (1693–1703)
- 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 12½ x 13 and were printed by Ashton-Potter Limited based on the designs by Rolf P. Harder. [3]
Units at the garrison[]
- 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)
References[]
- ↑ Castle Hill National Historic Site of Canada
- ↑ Castle Hill. Canadian Register of Historic Places. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
- ↑ http://data4.collectionscanada.ca/netacgi/nph-brs?s1=1010&l=20&d=POST&p=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.collectionscanada.ca%2Farchivianet%2F020117%2F020117030306_e.html&r=1&f=G&SECT3=POST Canada Post issued 'Castle Hill, Nfld., circa 1762'
- Environment Canada – Parks, Castle Hill National Historic Park brochure, 1987.
- Canning, Jane, The Theory and Historical Development of the Fortifications at Castle Hill, 1974, manuscript on file at Castle Hill NHS.
- Canadian Heritage – Parks Canada, Welcome to Castle Hill brochure, undated (2000 ?).
External links[]
- Castle Hill National Historic Site – official site
Coordinates: 47°15′3.88″N 53°58′17.31″W / 47.2510778°N 53.971475°W
The original article can be found at Castle Hill, Newfoundland and Labrador and the edit history here.