Walker Trading Establishment
1500 Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bathurst, New Brunswick, E2A, Canada
Formally Recognized:
2000/12/15
Other Name(s)
n/a
Links and documents
n/a
Construction Date(s)
Listed on the Canadian Register:
2005/03/09
Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
The Walker Trading Establishment is an archaeological site where the 18th century home, trading post, shipyard and fishing station of Commodore George Walker was located. The site covers an area of some 14.5 hectares at Youghall Point, Bathurst.
Heritage Value
A protected Provincial Historic Site, the Walker Trading Establishment was named after Scottish-born Commodore George Walker. Commodore Walker was one of the most successful British privateer sea Captains of the mid-18th century. Walker gained sea experience early in his life with the Dutch navy, fighting pirates in the Mediterranean. He later commanded a squadron of six ships, the Royal Family, with some 1000 men under his command. His perseverance in establishing a trading and fishing industry in the Bay of Chaleur region, during the 1760s when many British subjects felt there was a threat from Acadians and their native supporters, contributed significantly to the historic development of New Brunswick’s north shore.
Walker brought men, settlers, and supplies to the area. Attaining the Commission of Justice of the Peace, he administered justice over the area from Restigouche to Cumberland.
From his establishment at the mouth of Bathurst Harbour, he oversaw trade and fishing industries in the area, involving British, Acadian, and Mi’kmaq residents. Through all of this, he won the respect of Acadians and Mi’Kmaq, a rare achievement given the context, and a testament to his honest and compassionate business style. During winter months, his men built ships from 30 to 300 tons in size. His commerce resulted in goods being shipped to markets in London, the Mediterranean and the West Indies. On the return voyages ships bound for Nipisiguit and the region were stocked with exotic goods and supplies.
Source: New Brunswick Culture and Sport Secretariat, Heritage Branch, Site File # 107.
Character-Defining Elements
The character-defining elements of the Walker Trading Post include: - the sand spit on which the post sat with its gentle sloping wide sand beaches; - an unobstructed view of the anchorage and beyond into Chaleur Bay, key requirements for an 18th century fortified post; - surface and subsurface artefacts and buried archaeological features attest to the vibrant history of the site.
Recognition
Jurisdiction
New Brunswick
Recognition Authority
Province of New Brunswick
Recognition Statute
Historic Sites Protection Act, s. 2(2)
Recognition Type
Historic Sites Protection Act – Protected
Recognition Date
2000/12/15
Historical Information
Significant Date(s)
1760/01/01 to 1770/01/01
Theme - Category and Type
- Developing Economies
- Trade and Commerce
- Developing Economies
- Communications and Transportation
- Developing Economies
- Hunting and Gathering
- Peopling the Land
- Settlement
Function - Category and Type
Current
- Leisure
- Park
Historic
- Industry
- Machinery or Other Equipment Manufacturing Facility
- Food Supply
- Fisheries Site
- Commerce / Commercial Services
- Trading Post
- Transport-Water
- Harbour Facility
Architect / Designer
n/a
Builder
n/a
Additional Information
Location of Supporting Documentation
New Brunswick Culture and Sport Secretariat, Heritage Branch, Site File # 107.
Cross-Reference to Collection
Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier
107
Status
Published
Related Places
n/a