Missaguash River

It had historic significance in the 18th century as the de facto border between French (to the west) and English-controlled territories.

About 1672 a small group of Acadians from Port Royal, led by Jacques Bourgeois, formed a settlement on the south bank of the Missaguash near its mouth named Beaubassin.

The settlers reclaimed the salt marsh bordering the Missaquash for cultivation by constructing dykes to keep out the sea.

The French priest Jean-Louis Le Loutre led Mi'kmaq warriors to burn down the village to force the Acadians to relocate to French-held territory north of the Missaquash.

He wanted to bring French settlers together in a time of increasing national tensions with Great Britain.

Missiguash River at low tide, spring 2009. Nova Scotia to left. In the background is the National Historic Site of Tonges Island , former home in 1676 of the Seigneur Michel de la Valliere , governor of Acadia.