The survey at the "Bar" at Point Verde began on June 20th, 1972. The survey included detailed maps and photos of the area surveyed, an interview with the owner of the property and a history of the surveyed area.

History of the "Bar" at Point Verde

It appears that little is known and less is published concerning the site at Point Verde. In its research the Committee found a collection of newspaper articles belonging to Mr. Gordon Collins, among which was an article entitled "Historic Placentia - Old Forts and Fortifications". The author is J.M.C. and he states the following;

"Point Verde, as the name implies, is, I presume, of French origin meaning the Green Point. It is stated by Prowse that there was a small battery here at one time. Using the very words of the famed historian, 'The smaller batteries on Privecure (Crevecoeur) and Point Verde are of a later date.' The later date being after 1662.

In the grant of land given by Louis XIV of France to M. Costabelle, the governor of Fort Louis at Placentia, in which he causes the said governor to have erected certain lodgements on the peninsula of Point Verde etc., mention is also made of the fact, that in case his Majesty should at any time require any portion of the said land to construct thereon any forts, batteries, parade grounds, etc., the same shall be granted without being held for damages. The grant was made in 1692 and is signed by Louis.

The fort in question would then, in all probability, have been built on that part of land now known as "The Downs", and would, to my mind, have been a very likely place for the French to erect a fort, as it would have command the entrance to the roadstead and harbour".

Interview with Mr. Dominic Rowe, June 25, 1972. Interviewed by Paul Rowe.

Mr. Rowe states that to his knowledge, no previous archaeological work of any kind has been done on the land. The area was fenced off and used for farming for a time, until about 30 years ago. The land has been in his family since 1905. Mr. Rowe has no knowledge of owners previous to that time.

Mr. Rowe has often found evidence of occupation on the site, in the form of copper spikes, small amounts of clay pipe stems and pottery. He has no knowledge of anyone else having found anything of archaeological interest on the site.

No structures of any kind have been built on the land during Mr. Rowe's time. However, there are mounds and piles of angular stones extending all along the meadow, and among the pile of stones there are greater concentrations of brick. It is feasible that each stone pile could have been a building of some sort during the time of occupation.

View pictures of the "Bar". This page has a map that is 47kb in size, so it may take a while to load.