Charlottetown is the capital of Prince Edward Island, Canada. Named after Queen Charlotte, the wife of George III, it was founded in 1764.
History[]
Charlottetown as the capital of Prince Edward Island was the seat of several important institutions, such as Queen's Academy, a teachers' college where students could train to get their provincial teacher's licence.
In June 1876, Mrs. Spencer of White Sands travelled to an orphanage in Nova Scotia to bring one girl for herself and one for the Cuthberts of Avonlea. On the way back, Mrs. Spencer and the orphaned Lily Jones and Anne Shirley sailed to Charlottetown and then took a train headed towards Bright River and White Sands. Before getting off at the Bright River station, Anne asked Mrs. Spencer many questions and was particularly interested in what made the Island soil red.[1] Rachel Lynde saw Matthew Cuthbert driving to Bright River and wondered about his destination as he "did not generally go to town that time of year".[2]
In January 1877, the Canadian Prime Minister came to Charlottetown to attend a monster mass meeting of his supporters. People from various parts of the Island travelled there to see him, including Marilla Cuthbert, the Lyndes and the Barrys of Avonlea, as well as Dr. Spencer and Dr. Blair of Carmody.[3]
In February, the Debating Club held a concert at Avonlea Hall. Prissy Andrews recited a poem, wearing real carnations in her hair. The rumour had the Avonlea schoolteacher and Prissy's suitor, Mr. Phillips, had sent for them all the way to Charlottetown for her. That night, Josephine Barry of Charlottetown came to Avonlea to visit her nephew George and his family. While she was staying there, she became friends with Anne Shirley and invited her to her house in the town.[4]
During the summer of that year, the Americans who stayed at the White Sands hotel gave a concert every fortnight in aid of the Charlottetown hospital. They used to ask some of the White Sands people to recite at the occasion.[5]
Under the guidance of their new teacher, the Avonlea school students prepared a Christmas concert with a fundraiser for a new school flag. Mrs. Allan, the minister's wife, planned to send an account of it to the Charlottetown papers.[6]
In September 1878, Josephine Barry invited her great-niece Diana and Anne Shirley for a visit in Charlottetown and promised to take them to the Exhibition. Diana's father offered to take the girls there. They had to leave early in the morning so that Mr. Barry could return on the same day but they did not reach Josephine's mansion Beechwood before it was noon. On the following day, Miss Barry took the girls to the Exhibition, which was the first visit for both of them. Diana had been a bit envious of Jane Andrews and Ruby Gillis who went twice before and were supposed to go that year as well. Several Avonlea residents (namely Josie Pye, Rachel Lynde, Mr. Bell, Harmon Andrews, and Clara Louise MacPherson) managed to win in various categories. After they got back, Anne Shirley mentioned she liked the horse races, flowers and fancywork best, but she also recalled a balloon ride and getting a few cents from Josephine Barry to buy a fortune. On the third day of their visit, Miss Barry took the girls to the Academy of Music to see Madame Selitsky, a noted prima donna, singing, and to a nearby restaurant for ice cream.[7]
In November of that year, Marilla Cuthbert was thinking about having her glasses changed the following time she went to Charlottetown.[8]
In the late June of 1880, the Avonlea students travelled to Charlottetown to attend the Queen's Academy entrance exams. Anne was invited to stay at Beechwood with Miss Barry. Miss Stacy took Anne to the Academy, along with Ruby Gillis, Jane Andrews and Josie Pye, and met the boys in the schoolyard. Students were allowed to go home for lunch and then returned for the rest of the examinations. In the evening, Anne visited the girls at their place and they went uptown for ice cream. A fortnight after the exams, the Avonlea students used to look out for the results in Charlottetown newspapers. The papers were sent by the afternoon train to Bright River and were distributed into the nearby villages by the next morning.[9]
In the summer of that year, the White Sands Hotel guests once again got up a concert in aid of the Charlottetown hospital, and they invited the local talents from White Sands, Newbridge, Carmody, Spencervale, and Avonlea. The Members of Charlottetown Symphony Club were among the performers as well and several Charlottetown residents were expected to attend. A week earlier, Matthew went to Charlottetown and bought a string of pearls for Anne to wear at the occasion.[10]
Shortly before Anne was supposed to start her studies at Queen's, Marilla went to town with Mrs. Allan to pick a fabric for Anne's evening gown in case she would be asked to attend a party in Charlottetown.[11]
In September, Anne Shirley, Gilbert Blythe, Charlie Sloane, Moody Spurgeon MacPherson, Ruby Gillis, Jane Andrews, and Josie Pye of Avonlea started their studies at the Queen's Academy. Given its location, Anne could not stay at Josephine Barry's house, but she would spend her spare hours at Beechwood and attend church with Miss Barry.[12] Ruby and Jane had relatives living in the town who took them in for the duration of their studies. Josie Pye boarded the same place as Frank Stockley. Miss Barry recommended Anne a boarding house owned by a British officer's wife who was known for being careful while picking new boarders. It was located in a quiet neighbourhood and not far from the Academy. During the first few days, Anne felt homesick, but the other girls visited her in her new room and exchanged feelings about their school life.[13]
Later during the school year, Anne became friends with Stella Maynard and Priscilla Grant of various unknown locations in Prince Edward Island. Ruby Gillis used to do her hair up while she was in town. In better weather, the Avonlea students would travel home by train, using the new Carmody branch line. After the Christmas holiday, they decided to stay in Charlottetown and focus on their studies.[14]
In April 1881, Robert Bell of Avonlea sold his farm to James A. Harrison and moved to Charlottetown.[15]
In June of that year, Marilla went to town to see an oculist and have her eyes examined.[16] When Anne learned about her diagnosis after Marilla's return, she decided not to accept the Avery scholarship and stay with Marilla instead.[17]
During the summer holiday, Anne mistakenly sold Mr. Harrison's Jersey cow to Mr. Shearer of Carmody. The Shearers were supposed to send the cow to Charlottetown that evening with the rest of their shipment, and she would later be sold to Mr. Reed of Brighton.[18] After the incident, Anne befriended Mr. Harrison, who confessed he had met an overdressed woman in a Charlottetown store, looking "like a head-on collision between a fashion plate and a nightmare."[19]
In the autumn, the Avonlea Village Improvement Society raised money to get the Avonlea Hall painted. Roger Pye went to Charlottetown to buy the paint. The Improvers sent the message about their choice by Roger's son John Andrew, which later led to a misunderstanding. Eventually, Roger bought the wrong shade, causing a mild scandal in Avonlea. Around the same time, Oliver Sloane went to Charlottetown to buy a bandbox for Marilla Cuthbert.[20]
Some time later, Diana Barry asked Anne to accompany her to the Dicksons as Fred Wright was away in Charlottetown. This request made Anne more aware of Diana's feelings for Fred. The same day, Dora Keith got missing, and Marilla suggested Anne going to Mr. Harrison's to get help. Anne revealed that Mr. Harrison and his hired boy John Henry both went to town and were unable to help.[21]
Near the end of the year, Mr. Donnell went to Charlottetown to bring Warren Sloane an assortment of firecrackers and pinwheels for the latter's birthday celebration the following evening. On the next day, Jacob Donnell passed the package to Warren's son Joe at school. Believing the box was containing nut cakes, Anne ordered Joe to put it in the oven which caused an explosion inside the Avonlea schoolhouse.[22]
In the summer of 1882, Josephine Barry lent Anne her willowware platter. Anne intended to bring it back to Charlottetown herself as she would not trust anyone else. Before she could return it, Davy Keith broke it by accident.[23] Diana Barry later found out the Copp girls of Spencervale had the same platter, so she and Anne paid a visit. Since Martha Copp was away in Charlottetown, her sister Sarah willingly sold the platter to the girls. Anne was supposed to travel to Charlottetown herself with the platter on the following day.[24]
During the early 1880s, the Avonlea residents were believed by some to ignore the Charlottetown newspapers' weather forecast and rely on the local amateur meteorologist, Uncle Abe Andrews.[25] In May 1883, Gilbert Blythe and Anne Shirley published a mocking article titled "Avonlea News" signed by Observer to the Charlottetown Daily Enterprise. The text included a weather forecast attributed to Uncle Abe, prophesying a big storm for May 23 for the large part of the province.[26]
In 1883, Reverend Allan was offered a post in Charlottetown, which he was expected to accept.[27] Around the time the summer holidays started, the Charlottetown call was up before the Presbytery.[28]
Geography[]
Charlottetown is located thirty miles from Avonlea[29] and approximately thirty-five miles from Lowbridge, Glen St. Mary, and Harbour Head. The city has a train line which connects it to stations at White Sands and Carmody through Bright River, Summerside, and Four Winds. Charlottetown is also connected to Nova Scotia by steamer boats from the Charlottetown harbour, and has a boat train service that connects the two main branch lines of Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.
Residents[]
- Mrs. Allan
- Reverend Allan
- Lewis Allen (briefly)
- Jane Andrews (briefly)
- Prissy Andrews (briefly)
- Josephine Barry
- Robert Bell
- Gilbert Blythe (briefly)
- Jem Blythe (briefly)
- Mary Maria Blythe
- Shirley Blythe (briefly)
- Professor Boyd
- British officer
- British officer's wife
- Katherine Brooke (briefly)
- Wilfred Bryce (briefly)
- Alden Churchill (briefly)
- French professor
- Ruby Gillis (briefly)
- Priscilla Grant (briefly)
- Professor Hamilton
- Eliza Lynde
- Eliza Lynde's husband
- Moody Spurgeon MacPherson (briefly)
- Stella Maynard (briefly)
- Carl Meredith (briefly)
- Charlotte E. Morgan's friend
- Romney Penhallow
- Josie Pye (briefly)
- Professor Rennie
- Alice Selwyn
- John Selwyn
- Persis Selwyn
- Sophy Sinclair (briefly)
- Charlie Sloane (briefly)
- Miranda Sloane (briefly)
- Anne Shirley (briefly)
- Frank Stockley
- Frank Stockley's uncle
- Professor Tremaine
- Irene Trent
- Leslie West (briefly)
- Lewis Wilson
Locations[]
- Academy of Music
- Beechwood
- Boarding house
- Charlottetown church
- Charlottetown hospital
- Charlottetown park
- Charlottetown restaurant
- Charlottetown store
- Mary Maria Blythe's house
- Queen's Academy
Behind the scenes[]
Appearances[]
Books
- Anne of Green Gables
- Anne of Avonlea (mentioned only)
- Anne of Windy Poplars (mentioned only)
- Anne's House of Dreams (mentioned only)
- Anne of Ingleside (mentioned only)
- "The Winning of Lucinda" (mentioned only)
- TBA
- TBA
- TBA
References[]
- ↑ Anne of Green Gables (Chapter 2: Matthew Cuthbert Is Surprised)
- ↑ Anne of Green Gables (Chapter 1: Mrs. Rachel Lynde Is Surprised)
- ↑ Anne of Green Gables (Chapter 18: Anne to the Rescue)
- ↑ Anne of Green Gables (Chapter 19: A Concert a Catastrophe and a Confession)
- ↑ Anne of Green Gables (Chapter 22: Anne is Invited Out to Tea)
- ↑ Anne of Green Gables (Chapter 25: Matthew Insists on Puffed Sleeves)
- ↑ Anne of Green Gables (Chapter 29: An Epoch in Anne’s Life)
- ↑ Anne of Green Gables (Chapter 30: The Queen's Class Is Organized)
- ↑ Anne of Green Gables (Chapter 32: The Pass List Is Out)
- ↑ Anne of Green Gables (Chapter 33: The Hotel Concert)
- ↑ Anne of Green Gables (Chapter 34: A Queen's Girl)
- ↑ Anne of Green Gables (Chapter 35: The Winter at Queen's)
- ↑ Anne of Green Gables (Chapter 34: A Queen's Girl)
- ↑ Anne of Green Gables (Chapter 35: The Winter at Queen's)
- ↑ Anne of Avonlea (Chapter 1: An Irate Neighbour)
- ↑ Anne of Green Gables (Chapter 37: The Reaper Whose Name Is Death)
- ↑ Anne of Green Gables (Chapter 38: The Bend in the Road)
- ↑ Anne of Avonlea (Chapter 2: Selling in Haste and Repenting at Leisure)
- ↑ Anne of Avonlea (Chapter 5: A Full-fledged Schoolma'am)
- ↑ Anne of Avonlea (Chapter 9: A Question of Color)
- ↑ Anne of Avonlea (Chapter 10: Davy in Search of a Sensation)
- ↑ Anne of Avonlea (Chapter 12: A Jonah Day)
- ↑ Anne of Avonlea (Chapter 17: A Chapter of Accidents)
- ↑ Anne of Avonlea (Chapter 18: An Adventure on the Tory Road)
- ↑ Anne of Avonlea (Chapter 14: A Danger Averted)
- ↑ Anne of Avonlea (Chapter 24: A Prophet in His Own Country)
- ↑ Anne of Avonlea (Chapter 26: Around the Bend)
- ↑ Anne of Avonlea (Chapter 28: The Prince Comes Back to the Enchanted Palace)
- ↑ Anne of Green Gables (Chapter 29: An Epoch in Anne’s Life)
See also[]
Locations |
---|
Cities |
Boston · Charlottetown |
Houses |
Bonnyview · Echo Lodge · The Evergreens · Glen St. Mary manse · Green Gables House of Dreams · Ingleside · Lone Willow Farm · Lynde's Hollow · Maplehurst · Mount Holly Orchard Slope · Patty's Place · Tomgallon House · Windy Poplars · The Yellow House |
Nature |
Haunted Wood · Hester Gray's garden · Lake of Shining Waters · Lover's Lane · Rainbow Valley |
Provinces |
Manitoba · New Brunswick · Nova Scotia · Ontario · Prince Edward Island · Saskatchewan |
Schools |
Avonlea school · Glen St. Mary school · Queen's Academy · Redmond College · Summerside High School |
Towns |
Bolingbroke · Grafton · Hopetown · Kingsport · Summerside |
Villages |
Avonlea · Bright River · Carmody · Glen St. Mary · Harbour Head · Lowbridge Millward · Newbridge · Scottsford · Spencervale · Upper Glen · White Sands |
Other |
Avonlea Hall · Canada · Four Winds · Hammond Sawmill Old St. John's Cemetery · Over-Harbour · Spook's Lane · Tomorrow |