Sainte-Marie II
Text from the plaque
In the wake of the destructive Iroquois raids of early 1649 the Jesuits abandoned the mission of Sainte-Marie and joined several hundred Huron refugees here on Christian Island, which the Hurons called Gahoendoe and the French Ile-Saint-Joseph. They erected a second, fortified, Sainte-Marie in the summer of 1649. Severe famine and pestilence followed, and when Iroquois raiders reappeared in 1650 the Hurons were unable to resist. At the urging of the chiefs the mission was abandoned on 10 June 1650, and some 300 Hurons made their way with Father Paul Ragueneau to Quebéc.
Transcribed from the marker, not summarised.
Find the place
The County of Simcoe
Christian Island Indian Reserve 30
On Christian Island, on the south side of Kate Kegwin Street
.7 km east of the ferry dock
Also recorded for this place: The County of Simcoe
N 44 49.342 W 80 10.089
Recorded December 2008. Check current access before visiting.
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Visitors' notes
September 16, 2014
Hello, I visited this site last week-end (August 7th, 2014). It does not look very good. At some time in the past, a storm has cut a big and tall tree which has fallen across the south wall, covering the monument which is hardly visible. The tree and all its dried foliage is still there. No indication alongside the adjacent road signals the presence of the site of the fort. The visitor has to ask local people where it is in order to see it. A small house is being built very close to the north wall. The surrounding perimeter, which logically should be kept clean of anything in order to maintain the integrity of the site, is not respected. Who is in charge of that site? Apparently nobody, quite sad when you recall the events which happened there. Regards, Patrick
July 13, 2012
It's so old. Love the rocks.