NL Highway Itinerary: Argentia to Whitbourne via route #100

Elevation Chart

Highway Notes

Itinerary

Here is the itinerary for the 45 km between the Argentia ferry dock (from North Sydney, Nova Scotia) along Route #100 to Whitbourne:

From Placentia, it is a short trip by paved highway to Argentia, the terminus for the Nova Scotia ferry which operates between Argentia and North Sydney, Nova Scotia, during the summer. Argentia’s importance lay in its strategic position and ice free harbour. In 1940, the United States Military began construction of a Naval Operating Base and Air Station which served the American and other Allied Forces during the war years. The base closed only a few years ago.

Placentia, is situated on a large beach near a coastal forest area, and in the early days of the seventeenth century was the French capital of Newfoundland. In 1662, the Colonial French fortified this strategic position, on a summit overlooking the ocean arms of “Plaisance”, as the French called it. The commanding site is now at Castle Hill National Historic Park.

The following year Fort Royal was begun as the main defence against the English attacks by sea, and a starting-out point for French attacks on the English capital of St. John’s (three times). After the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, the British moved into Placentia, upgraded the defences, and re-took St John.. Once British supremacy was assured, St. John’s became the capital of the colony.

The fort itself no longer exists but visitors can see its foundations clearly on the site’s rocks and can learn much from the Visitor Centre.

Trans-Canada Highway History

History: Argentia to Whitbourne

Trans-Canada Highway Itinerary Map

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Itinerary Details