Exploring Annapolis Royal

Monday August 1 2016

We went on another guided tour today, just down the road a piece from the campground is the village of Annapolis Royal. The history of the area was far more interesting than I imagined it would be. In the 1600 and 1700's the area was the center of European colonization, the French called it Acadie and the British knew it as Nova Scotia.

Reproduction of 1600's French trading post, not too shabby!

The only settlement in North America prior to Annapolis-Royal was the Spaniards in St. Augustine Florida. The French established a fur trading outpost here in 1605, it eventually became a village. The people of French descent became known as Acadians. The Acadians were deported after the British gained control here, some of them ended up in Louisiana and became the Cajun's.

Trading Post commander's sleeping quarters

Next stop was Fort Anne, built in 1702 by the British who wanted to establish a Scottish Colony in North America. (Britain ruled Scotland at the time.) Their new Scotland was called Nova Scotia in the charter granted by King Charles1.

Fort Anne, a 1700's British earthworks

We had lunch a short walk from Fort Anne at a German Restaurant and Bakery. The wife half of the ownership welcomed our group. She told a short story of the hard life she and her husband endured in East Germany and of their emigration to Canada after the Berlin wall came down.

German baker

After lunch a visit to a flower garden was scheduled but there was also a parade on Main street and most of us watched the parade. It was your typical small town event that reminded me of the Cecilton Fireman's parade back in my former home in Maryland.

Canada Natal Day parade

The parade was to celebrate Natal Day? No one, not even the Canadians we asked could tell us much of Natal Day. Nearest I can figure from the internet; it is a birthday celebration for the province, not an official Canada holiday it's importance and meaning changes from town to town.