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Louisbourg from its Founding to the Present Day
1689-1713 Wars between France and England, such as the War of the League of Augsburg and the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1713).
1713 The war of the Spanish Succession ends with the signing of the Treaty of Utrecht; Acadia and Newfoundland are passed from France to England. Summer expedition sails to Īle Royale where the settlement of Port St. Louis, later renamed Louisbourg, is established. France and England are at peace for 31 years.
1715 Louis XIV dies on September 1. Louisbourg's population recorded at 746.
1718 Louisbourg selected to become the seat of government and the military stronghold of Īle Royale.
1719 Initial fortifications of Louisbourg begin with work on the King's Bastion. Louisbourg's position as capital made official with the striking of two medals, one gold and one silver, commemorating its founding. They are placed in the foundation of the King's Bastion the following year.
1722 The first contingent of troops of the Karrer regiment arrive in Louisbourg specifically to work on the fortifications.
1723 Louis XV attains majority on February 17.
1725 310 people perish when Le Chameau, a King's ship carrying supplies, money, and dispatches, is wrecked near Louisbourg during a furious gale on the night of August 25.
1732-1733 Smallpox epidemic sweeps through Louisbourg causing the deaths of 151 people. It was carried to Louisbourg on the King's ship Les Rubis.
1734 Masonry Lighthouse, Canada's first, was completed at the harbour entrance.
1736 Masonry Lighthouse partially destroyed by fire. Work begins immediately on it's reconstruction.
1737 Census records Louisbourg's population at 2 023; 65% civilian and 35% soldier.
1738 The reconstruction of the lighthouse is completed.
1740 The War of the Austrian Succession begins in Europe.
1744 In March war is declared between France and Great Britain. In December, the troops in Louisbourg mutiny.
1745 The first siege of Louisbourg. It is captured by the New Englanders, who deport the majority of the French colonists and occupy Louisbourg for the next four years.
1748 The War of the Austrian Succession ends with the signing of the Treaty of Aix-La-Chapelle. Īle Royal is returned to the French.
1749 Louisbourg is reoccupied by the French.
1750 What is probably the first astronomical observatory in Canada is established on the King's Bastion.
1756 War officially declared between France and Great Britain.
1758 The second siege of Louisbourg. The British capture the Fortress and deport virtually all the French inhabitants to France.
1760 British destroy Louisbourg's fortifications.
1768 The British garrison withdraws from Louisbourg; more than half of the civilian population moves away from the town.
1784 Cape Breton is proclaimed a colony of Great Britain; Sydney is chosen over Louisbourg as its capital.
1811 Census records Louisbourg's population at 83.
1895 The Society of Colonial Wars unveils a commemorative monument on the fortress site, in the area of the King's Bastion, before a crowd of over 2 000.
1912 Marconi receiving station is established in West Louisbourg.
1928 The Government of Canada declares the townsite and environs of 18th-century Louisbourg a National Historic Site.
1940 The Fortress of Louisbourg becomes a National Historic Park.
1961 The Government of Canada initiates a multi-million dollar project to reconstruct a portion of the original town of Louisbourg and its fortifications. By 1982 1/5 is reconstructed.
Today, over 280 years since the first settlers arrived in Louisbourg, the reconstructed Fortress stands as a monument to those who lived, fought, and died in an age long past but certainly not forgotten. Millions of dollars and scores of labourers, historians and archaeologists have turned the ruins of one of the most impressive fortified towns in 18th-century North America into one of the continent's most magnificent historical reconstruction.