Annapolis Royal is a destination for thousands of tourists each summer. The town stretching along the shore of the Annapolis River is home to beautiful old houses, a boardwalk along the river's edge, historic gardens, a farmer's market on Saturday mornings and a place where you can sit on a bench beside the water and ponder life's gifts. I wandered about the town on a Saturday morning two weeks ago when it was celebrating the 300th-year anniversary of the re-naming of the town. Port Royal was first settled in 1605 and later in the 1630s on the site of present day Fort Anne. It was named Annapolis Royal in 1710.
The pictures below show various representatives in historic costumes from towns throughout Nova Scotia who came to express their towns' congratulations.. This took place at the market.
As on every Saturday morning during the season (mid May to mid October), the market was the focal point, with live music and hundreds of people checking out the various displays of local food, fruit, vegetables and artisan products. On this particular day, it was also known as "Painting the Town" day, when local artists scattered about the town set up their easels to paint a picture of some of the sights around them. These paintings were auctioned off later in the day at the local Legion Hall.
Some of the artists in the pictures below.
Two signs advertising the market and also some advertising for the town
Below, a few of the vendors
Above, a German lady making potato pancakes.
At left, some home-baked breads and on the right, high-bush blueberries
The two pictures below are from the German baker's booth. He is from Dresden and is now making his home in Annapolis Royal.
The old post office just behind the market, circa 1890
Below: The pub beside the market square is a popular meeting place.
Below, centre: the pier across the street from the market with the town of Granville Ferry on the opposite side of the river.
After browsing through the market, I walked down Lower Saint George Street, which begins where the pier and market are situated and which follows the river. The houses are beautifully kept in the style of the era and several are from the 1700s, others somewhat later.
A few of the houses on Lower Saint George Street below.
The picture below right is on the water side as is the house below left.
The picture below left shows the shore on Saint George side of the river and Granville Ferry opposite.
This house on the left, around the curve of the street, has been built recently, but it is generally adhering to the style of older days.
Heading back up Saint George Street towards the south end of the town, one small business after another greets you, making it difficult not to go into every single one. On other occasions, I have done just that. Many of them are gift stores and small boutiques, each offering interesting items. Over the years I have bought many gifts for various occasions. A couple of the stores are below along with some signs.
Below left is a view inside one of the gift stores along the street. The building below right is called The Crooked Floor as the floor is on an incline.
As one walks along, cafes mingle here and there on both sides of the street. I think, though, that I'll leave those, the historic inns and a few last things of interest for another post later this week. Annapolis Royal may be a small town, but its place in Canadian history gives it a lot to talk about. Until then, Adieu!
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