Charlottetown, P.E.I.

Our rejigged schedule allowed us one full day to explore Downtown Charlottetown which was ample to cover all the key sights easily on foot.

Setting out from the house we had rented and just across the street at 91 Water Street was the Bonded Warehouse.  Built in 1859 it was originally used by the customs department to hold goods that excise duty had not yet been paid on. Designed and built as a building to last it survived the Great Fire of 1866 and was actually the point at which the fire stopped and didn’t continue to spread.

Further along the block at the intersection with Queen St is the Merchantman Pub, which did us well for lunch on a couple of days.

The pub is located in the Peake-Carvell building – so named after James Peake who emigrated here from Plymouth, England in 1856 and became a very successful ship builder, owner, merchant and broker and hence the pub name.  He sold the building in 1862 to the Carvell brothers who ran a wholesale business here until 1976.

We walk North along the main thoroughfare of Downtown, Queen Street. Charlottetown must be Canada’s gentlest, most sleepy Provincial Capital.

Side streets offered more beautifully restored heritage properties. This one is Victoria Row, a couple of blocks of Richmond St which has lots of restaurants and bars with patios.

City Hall, situated on the corner of Queen & Kent streets.

Just a couple of blocks off Queen Street are pretty tree lined streets with large homes and Victorian-era town-square parks.

St. James Presbyterian Church

The old fire truck on display outside the Charlottetown Fire Department on Kent St.

The 1st & 2nd World War Memorial.

St Dunstans Basilica

More cute side streets, this one Sydney Street views from Great George St.

This is Province House.  Built in 1847 it was host to the Charlottetown Conference which resulted in the Canadian Confederation and the creation of our country.

Beautifully restored homes on Great George St.

Back along Water Street

Views across the water to Victoria Park

More pretty street scenes as we walk along the South West side of Downtown towards Victoria Park.

We walked past Beaconsfield Historic House.  This home was built in 1877 for James Peake (the merchantman the pub was names after) and it has been restored to it’s late 1800’s style for visitors to walk through.

Soon we reach Victoria Park.

Situated in Victoria Park is Government House, built in 1834 by the same Yorkshireman who designed and built Province House.  It is the official home of the Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island.

Views from Victoria Park back towards Downtown.

After visiting the park we head back into town.  David stops for a which chat with John A. MacDonald, the first prime minister of Canada and that concluded our walk around pretty, little Charlottetown.