Plan Your Vacation Around a Walk Through Saint Croix Island International Historic Site
Information courtesy of National Park Service
The National Park Service preserves Saint Croix Island International Historic site (IHS) as a monument to the beginning of the United States and Canada. In 1604, Pierre Dugua, Sieur de mons, accompanied by Samuel Champlain and 77 other men, established a settlement on St. Croix Island. Preceding Jamestown (1607) and Plymouth (1620), Pierre Dugua’s outpost was one of the earliest European settlements on the North Atlantic coast of North America. More specifically, it was the first attempt by the French at year-round colonization in the territory they called La Cadie or l’Acadie (Acadia). The settlement was short-lived, however, and in the summer of 1605, the French moved to a more favorable location where they established the Port Royal Habitation on the shores of the present-day Annapolis Basin, Nova Scotia.
The experience of the French on St. Croix Island taught them much about the “New World” environment and about interacting with the native peoples. From St. Croix Island, Samuel Champlain explored and charted the coast of Norembegue (Norumbega), including the Bay of Fundy and the Atlantic coast as far south as Cape Cod. The valuable insights gained from both the St. Croix settlement and further exploration formed the foundation for a more successful settlement at Port Royal, and an enduring French presence in North American continuing to the present day.
St. Croix Island IHS has units in both the U.S. National Park Service and Parks Canada. It includes St. Croix Island, as well as two parcels of land on the U.S. and Canadian mainlands. Area Map
Saint Croix Island is a 6.5-acre island in the Saint Croix River, which divides the United States and Canada near Calais, Maine, and Saint Stephen, New Brunswick. The island has a significance much greater than its size. In 1604 a French expedition led by Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons, established a settlement on this island. The events of 1604-1605 on and around this island went on to have a lasting effect on the course of history. This settlement marked the beginning of permanent European presence in North America north of Florida, predating both Jamestown and Plymouth. For this reason, Saint Croix Island is an important historical landmark for both the United States and Canada. In 1984 it was dedicated as an International Historic Site and today is managed and preserved by United States National Park Service in consultation with Parks Canada.
The mainland visitor service facilities (restroom, interpretive shelter, and parking space) are currently accessible to visitors with disabilities.
The site is focused on establishing a quiet atmosphere of respect meant to promote contemplation of the heroism and suffering of the French colonists in 1604–05. A short walk to the interpretive shelter looking onto the estuary and St. Croix Island is recommended. On the Canadian side of the St. Croix River, opposite the island, a Parks Canada summer exhibit is recommended.
Contact them:
By Mail
c/o Acadia National Park
P.O. Box 177
Bar Harbor, ME 04609-0177
By Phone
Visitor Information
(207) 288-3338
Visitor Information (TTY)
(207) 288-3300
By Fax
(207) 288-8813
