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10 Historic Images to Discover Charlottetown Through the Decades
March 17, 2025
From the devastation of the Great Fire of 1866 to the bustling business of Queen Square, Charlottetown is filled with clues to its history if you know where to look. The businesses housed in these historic buildings have evolved alongside the city, shaping the city as much as they’ve been shaped by it. These images tell a story of resilience, innovation, and community, each offering a glimpse into Charlottetown’s unique history.
4 city blocks at the bottom of Queen Street were destroyed by the Great Charlottetown Fire of 1866. The fire, a suspected arson, caused £60,000 in damages (over £6 million today) before it was stopped by less flammable brick buildings on Water Street – check out some of the surviving heritage buildings for yourself!
1) JEMS Boutique & the Anne of Green Gables Store
72 Queen Street
2) Piatto Pizzeria + Enoteca & Kettle Black
45 Queen Street
3) Brickhouse Kitchen & Bar
125 Sydney Street
4) Sims Corner Steakhouse & Oyster Bar
86 Queen Street
Once the heartbeat of Charlottetown, people gathered in Queen Square to buy, sell, socialize, and to hear about news and current events. From the public green space hosting events like the Mistletoe Market, to the stage of the Confederation Centre of the Arts, Queen Square continues to be an important gathering cultural space for Islanders and visitors!
5) Confederation Centre of the Arts – View from Current Location of COWS
130 Queen Street – view from 150 Queen Street
Painting Depicting Queen Square
Current site includes Province House and Confederation Centre of the Arts
For over 12,000 years, the Mi’kmaq people have been the traditional caretakers of Charlottetown, a part of Mi’kma’ki. In 1764, Captain Samuel Holland of England designated Charlotte Town—named for Queen Charlotte—as the colony’s capital.
6) Colour copy of an oil painting Charlotte Town, 1836 showing Mi’kmaq family en route to Charlottetown
On view at 111 B Grafton Street
7) Victoria Row
Victoria Row on Richmond Street between Queen Street and Great George Street
8) Craft Beer Corner
156 Great George Street
Many Charlottetown buildings are named in homage to their founders, like the Connolly Block on Queen Street. A successful entrepreneur and generous philanthropist, Owen Connolly’s legacy of success while investing in his community helped shape Charlottetown’s business landscape.
9) Churchill Arms
75 Kent Street75 Queen Street
10) Hunter’s Ale House
185 Kent Street
Hunter’s Ale House, featuring Sterns Launderers & Dry Cleaners
185 Kent St & 234 Kent St
If you liked this blast from the past, check out historic visits and tours on our Attractions & Activities page, or read more about Charlottetown’s heritage and history here.
