Summerside is the second largest city in Prince Edward Island, Canada, and the principal municipality in the western part of the province.
Summerside was first settled in 1840 when a wharf was constructed and a road was built to St. Eleanors, which was then the shire town of Prince County. Joseph Pope soon built a shipyard at the wharf, and the town began to grow. Summerside became a seaport from which goods, such as potatoes, were shipped to the mainland. On April 1, 1877 Summerside was officially incorporated. It was officially incorporated as a city in 1995.
The city’s neighborhoods vary from working class (especially in the outlying regions) to upscale and affluent (near the downtown area and parts of the suburban areas). A number of stately Victorian homes near downtown have been converted into bed-and-breakfast businesses. Summerside is well known throughout Canada for its splendid nineteenth century and early twentieth century residential architecture. It has been said that Summerside possesses the largest concentrated collection of built heritage in Atlantic Canada. Its heritage houses have many stories to tell, and represent the stylistic trends which prevailed at different stages in the community’s development. You can take a virtual walking tour of Summerside at the city’s web site – City of Summerside Walking Tour. Prince County Hospital, the county’s largest hospital, and also the one which offers the most services, is located in Summerside. Summerside’s public education services include elementary schools (Elm Street, Greenfield, Parkside and Athena Consolidated), middle schools (Summerside Intermediate School and Athena Consolidated), and a High School (Three Oaks Senior High).
For more information, visit: www.city.summerside.pe.ca