Fort O'Brien
Machias, Maine
Also while in the Machias area, perhaps visit Fort O’Brien (aka Fort Machias), overlooking Machias Bay. The fort was originally built in 1775, but was destroyed by the British later the same year. In 1777 the site was refortified, only to be destroyed again by the British in 1814. The earthworks are well preserved at Fort O’Brien and it is a great spot for a picnic.
Minister’s Island
St. Andrews, New Brunswick
Named for Loyalist Anglican minister Reverend Samuel Andrews, who settled the island in 1786, Minister's Island became the personal summer retreat to Sir William Van Horne in 1890. Van Horne, who was responsible for much of Canada’s rail system stretching from coast to coast, built one of the country's finest private residences of this small island. The large 50-room home, constructed of quarried sandstone, is named Covenhoven after Sir William’s father and includes a massive drawing room with an original pool table. Two-hour guided tours are available at a small cost and include a visit to Covenhoven, a tour of the bathhouse with its tidal swimming pool, a tour of the livestock barn, interesting facts and a stop on Shea's Hill for a magnificent view of the Passamaquoddy Bay. There is one catch: You must have your own vehicle and the island can only be accessed at low tide!
Old Loyalist Burial Ground
Saint John, New Brunswick
The Loyalist Burial Ground was established after the landing of the United Empire Loyalists in 1783 and was closed as a cemetery in 1848. Today it is a memorable garden with tree-lined pathways and beautiful flowerbeds. Throughout the grounds find statues of the Canadian beaver, depicting the “hard work, enterprise and tenacious resolve of the city’s founders and those who followed”. Located in the centre of the city, the Old Loyalist Burial Ground is a beautiful spot to sit, relax and take in the city.
Patridge Island
Saint John, New Brunswick
One other interesting historic site in Saint John is Partridge Island – the first quarantine station in Canada and home to the world’s first foghorn, invented by Robert Foulis in the 1850’s. Used as a quarantine station as early as 1785, the largest arrival of patients/immigrants occurred throughout the 1840’s during the Great Famine of Ireland (otherwise known as the Potato Famine). Over 4500 sick people arrived on Partridge Island, however the hospitals could only take in 200 at a time. There are no records of the dead and buried, although it is estimated that as many as 2000 Irish died during quarantine. A Celtic Cross on the island, and a smaller version on Prince William Street, commemorate the Irish immigrants who lost their lives to typhus either on their passage across the Atlantic Ocean or on Partridge Island. Both a National and Provincial Historic Site, public access to Partridge Island has not been allowed since 1993. Today, one lighthouse remains on the island and it can be seen from various points in the Saint John Harbour. Perhaps visit the Irving Nature Park for a look at historic Partridge Island.
St. Mary's Church
Clare, Nova Scotia
St. Mary’s Church, located in Church Point, is one of the finest and most celebrated of Acadian churches and is considered an engineering marvel. Built between 1903-1905, St. Mary’s was built in the form of a cross and is the tallest and largest wooden church in all of North America.
Three Sisters Lamp (aka Trinity Lamps)
Saint John, New Brunswick
The first lamp, an oil lamp, was erected in St. Patrick’s Square at the end of Prince William Street in 1842 and then replaced by a gas lamp in 1847. Then two years later in 1849, a post containing three red gas lamps, visible for three miles seaward, was stationed at the end of Prince William Street. If the three red lamps appeared individually, sailors would know they were heading straight into the harbour, however if only one or two could be seen sailors knew they needed to alter their course.
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