History of the Park
The Battlefields Park, which includes the Plains of Abraham and Des Braves Park, has a rich history beyond the battles that made it famous. From a precolonial meeting place to the biggest events of the 21st century, discover the fascinating story of this historic site.
The Name of the Plains of Abraham
The first mention of the name "Plains of Abraham" appears on a map from 1734, 70 years after Abraham's death. Located on a natural promontory along the North Shore of the St. Lawrence River, the site has been the focus of the development of Quebec City since its founding by Samuel de Champlain in 1608.
Where does the name come from, one might ask. The most probable explanation traces it back to Abraham Martin (1589-1664), a friend of Samuel de Champlain’s, also known as Abraham the Scot, who came to New France around 1620.
Contrary to the usual practice, history has used Abraham Martin’s first name rather than his second name. The name was used quite early, with the toponym “Abraham” having first been recorded in writing back in the 18th century, at which time it was used in reference to various geographical indications. It is found in some notaries’ acts to designate the northern escarpment of the Quebec City promontory. This slope, which is gentler than the cliff facing the river to the south, was called the “côte d’Abraham.” The toponym was also used to name a road. On a map from 1734, “rue d’abraham” is shown running into the “Chemin de La grande allez.”
Following the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759, the toponym "Plains of Abraham" became firmly established in history and entered the common vocabulary of the people of Quebec.
Creation of the National Battlefields Commission
In 1908, with the creation of the National Battlefields Commission, the first section of land acquired to create the Battlefields Park still retained the name of the Plains of Abraham.
Explore the different historical periods to learn more about the history of this territory. New articles will be published soon.
As a meeting place near the St. Lawrence River, the promontory of Quebec attracted numerous visitors and travellers. After the founding of Québec in 1608, the land was progressively settled by the residents. This was also the period in which it gained its name, Plains of Abraham.
The Battle of the Plains of Abraham and the Battle of Sainte-Foy. These two important battles took place during a major war between the French and British empires. In Québec City, they were the most significant events of the siege that beleaguered the city between the spring of 1759 and the spring of 1760. The regiments involved, military strategies, and key figures are included in this section.
After the British conquest in 1760, the Plains of Abraham continued to be a strategic site for the city: it was the site of the American invasion in 1775-1776, the first line of defence against an attack during the War of 1812, and the home of an arms manufacturer in the late 19th century. What were the Plains of Abraham before they became the park of today?
The National Battlefields Commission was formed in 1908 and given a mandate to develop the Battlefields Park as a historic park. Discover the history of how this urban park was developed into the premier gathering place in Québec City and the major events it hosted throughout the 20th century.
