Discover Ontario's history as told through its plaques

2004 - Now in our 14th Year - 2018

To see what's new on this site, you can visit the Home Page

Looking at this page on a smartphone?
For best viewing, hold your phone
in Landscape mode (Horizontal)

Home Index Subjects Locations Map Missing Search Links Email >

French Settlement on the South Shore

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted September, 2004

Photo by contributor Wayne Adam - Posted September, 2011

Plaque Location

The County of Essex
The City of Windsor
In a park on the south side of Riverside Drive
at the foot of Ouellette Avenue

Coordinates: N 42 19.213 W 83 02.430

Click here for a larger map

Plaque Text

Windsor is the oldest known site of continuous settlement in Ontario. The government of New France, anxious to increase its presence on the Detroit River, offered land for agricultural settlement on the south shore in 1749. That summer, families from the lower St. Lawrence River relocated to lots which began about 6.5 km downstream from here. Along with civilians and discharged soldiers from Fort Pontchartrain (Detroit), they form the community of La Petite Côte. Additional waterfront lots, including this site, were laid out in 1751. These extended from the Huron Mission, located in the vicinity of the present Ambassador Bridge, to the Ottawa village situated opposite the fort. When the French regime ended in 1760, about 300 settlers were living here.

More
Settlements

More
Windsor Plaques

Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

(none yet)

Here's where you can send me a comment for this page.

Note: Your email address will be posted at the end of your comment so others can respond to you unless you request otherwise.

Note: Comments are moderated. Yours will appear on this page within 24 hours (usually much sooner).

Note: As soon as I have posted your comment, a reply to your email will be sent informing you.

To send me your comment, click .

Thanks
Alan L Brown
Webmaster

Note: If you wish to send me a personal email, click .

Home Index Subjects Locations Map Missing Search Links Email >