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Saint Croix Island International Historic Site
Saint Croix Island, long known to locals as Dochet Island, is a small uninhabited island in Maine near the mouth of the Saint Croix River that forms part of the Canada–United States border separating Maine from New Brunswick. The island was the site of an early attempt at French colonization by Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons in 1604. In 1984 it was designated by the United States Congress as Saint Croix Island International Historic Site. There is no public access to the island, but there is a visitor contact station on the U.S. mainland and a display on the Canadian mainland opposite the island.Use our Calais trip planner to arrange your visit to Saint Croix Island International Historic Site and other attractions in Calais.
The 6.5 acre island measures approximately 200 yd long by 100 yd wide, and is located approximately 4 mi upstream from the mouth of the river on Passamaquoddy Bay.
The island was called Muttoneguis by the Passamaquoddy Nation, which had used or lived there for numerous centuries before European discovery.
French noble Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons, established a settlement on Saint Croix Island in June 1604 under the authority of Henry IV, King of France. This outpost was one of the first attempts by France at year-round colonization in the territory they called l'Acadie. Earlier attempts at Charlesbourg-Royal in 1541 by Jacques Cartier, at Sable Island in 1598 by Marquis de La Roche-Mesgouez, and at Tadoussac, Quebec in 1600 by François Gravé Du Pont, had failed.
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Saint Croix Island International Historic Site reviews
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It does not have the presence of other “National” park/monument but it is an interesting story. There are some great views of the sea and several statues depicting the historic village. more »
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Sometime when you pass a place you just need to turn around and go back. It's a tiny park with a lot of history. Small settlement from 1604 it didn't last long but it was one of Maine's first. Take... more »
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Growing up in Calais Maine was great. It's on the U.S. Canadian border and most people have dual citizenship. The St Croix island was the French attempt for a permanent settlement in North America in 1604 which proceeded 3 year before Jameson town by 3 years. But after a hard winter Champlain to and moved to Nova to Canada to stay which is the first true settlement in North America. You can no longer visit the island but as a kid my brother and I did but we only stayed on the beach. I would love to visit again someday but federal law will not allow it.
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This Place Rocks, Ice floes do not
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