Ottawa House By-The-Sea Museum - First European Occupation

The first European to walk upon the shores here, is now andÂ probably always will be, unknown. We know that other explorers reached North America before the 15th century voyages of Columbus and Cabot. Many of these early visitors were probably fishermen and adventurers travelling in secret to our coast to reap the wealth of fish and possibly gold, without paying the king his tax.

However, the first documented European visitor to our shores was Samuel de Champlain in 1607. But even then his 'first' voyage of exploration found evidence that would suggest a much earlier visit by persons unknown.

Samuel de Champlain was the founder of both Acadia and Quebec and was both our first, and foremost, Canadian explorer. He was a native of Saint Onge, France and was a mariner who had the reputation of being a brave, capable and experienced officer. In 1604, he was invited by de Monts to take part in a now famous expedition to Acadia.Â This enterprise had the sanction and support of Henri IV of France. The expedition was organized for the purpose of exploring and settling new lands.Â It may be said to have been the first serious attempt to found a colony in northern North America.

Between 1604 and 1607, de Champlain made several voyages to the region; established a colony at Port Royal and explored much of the eastern seaboard. The Logs of his voyages make for very fascinating reading for in them he describes many details of the inner Bay of Fundy and most of the landmarks he described can still be identified today. For instance, he gave an interesting account of a climb to the top of Cape Split and a nearly disasterous fall by Poutrincourt, one of the expedition's supporting noblemen.

He also records the finding of an cross, made of iron, all covered in moss, and he noted in the log that he was "obviously not the first Christian in the area." He also recorded the finding of quantities of amethyst. Several pieces were collected and later presented to the King and Queen of France. These subsequently became part of the Crown Jewels of France.