Souris

Photo by Cynthia MacDonald

At the far east of Prince Edward Island you will find the little town of Souris, population 1,079. 

Founded by Acadians in 1727, after the Siege of Louisbourg the British Government forced the Acadians to leave; later the area was settled by Scottish and Irish immigrants. It was incorporated as a town in 1910. 

The Mi'kmaq name for this area was Sqoliwe'katik, meaning "Frogs' place". I visited Souris a week and half ago, and here's what I found:

1. Selfie with the town's welcome sign:  Took a picture with the Town's welcome sign on the Veterans Memorial Highway (Route 2). 

2. Visitor's Centre: Dropped by the downtown Visitor's Centre on the Veterans Memorial Highway and got some info on the area.

Souris Historic Lighthouse

3. Museum or heritage centre: Visited the Souris Historic Lighthouse, built in 1880 and overlooking the Town. There you can find information on seaglass and history about the Town of Souris. 

4. Public space: Lots of parks and public spaces overlooking the water. I took a stroll along the boardwalk on the beach at the Town's entrance and saw some surfers enjoying the waves. 

5. Local restaurant: I had some cheesecake and peppermint tea at new Fiddling Fisherman Lookout. From the patio you can look over the town of Souris and watch the ferry traveling to and from the Magdalen Islands. 

6. Locally produced spirit: Although not technically in Souris, I popped into the Myriad View Artisan Distillery in nearby Rollo Bay and picked up a bottle of Strait Vodka and Straight Gin. 

7. Art in public places: Outside the Souris Historic Lighthouse I found a boulder with a sailboat carved into it, a nod to the town's fishing industry.

8. Town swag: At the Souris by the Sea Treasures Gift Shop you can find lots of Souris Swag. I picked up a "Souris by the Sea" print by local artist Carmella Shevarie. 

A little bit of trivia: Souris is the French term for "mouse" and for many years after initial European settlement in the early 1700s this area was plagued by field mice. Ironically the mouse is now the town's mascot.