Samuel de Champlain chose the Upper Town as the site for Fort Saint Louis in 1608.
It has remained the city's military and administrative centre because of its strategic position atop the promontory of Cap Diamant.
Military use did hamper growth in the Upper Town for many years, and a movement arose in the late 19th century to demolish the fortifications as obsolete and as an obstacle to urban development.
During 1608, Samuel de Champlain built a habitation where its remains can be found with Place Royale as its centre.
[2] The historic district was established following public debates from 1945 to 1965, concerning the preservation of Old Quebec and the restoration of Place Royale.
[3] The district was established by the National Assembly of Quebec on July 10, 1963 after an amendment to the Historic Sites and Monuments Act.
On December 3, 1985, UNESCO declared the Historic District of Old Quebec a World Heritage Site.
Opened in 1915 by the Canadian Pacific Railway, the châteauesque station is similar in design to the Château Frontenac.