What Summerside is known for

Summerside, the destination's namesake, is Prince Edward Island’s second-largest city, occupying 28.49 square kilometers in Prince County.[1] As of 2024, the city is home to an estimated population of approximately 14,955 residents. In 2016, the Canadian Census recorded 14,829 people, while the 2011 census accounted for 14,751 residents, indicating a minor annual growth rate of 0.11%.[2] A Government of Canada agency known as the Summerside Tax Centre is the largest single employer in Summerside, as it primarily processes the Goods and Services Tax. Another contributor to the city’s economy is Cavendish Farms, which operates in the outlying locality of New Annan. Cavendish Farms is notable for being Prince Edward Island’s largest private-sector employer, maintaining two extensive frozen foods processing facilities in New Annan.[1]

In terms of tourism, Summerside has a range of activities to offer visitors, from museums and theaters to trails and parks. For those who take a particular interest in the city’s entertainment, Harbourfront Theatre is open year-round, featuring concerts, plays, opera, ballet, comedy, and magic shows. Moreover, this venue hosts a variety of festivals and events—said to attract “world-class entertainers.” Likewise, another establishment known as Feast Dinner Theatres offers musical hits and comedy shows for guests while they enjoy a dinner meal. Apart from the entertainment found in Summerside, the city can also give visitors the opportunity to experience its culture at the Eptek Art & Culture Centre, where a collection of island exhibits is showcased. The cultural center also details the history of the city through its programs. Tourists who gravitate more toward the historic nature of Summerside may enjoy a walking tour around its heritage homes and murals. As for more active outdoor pastimes, Rotary Friendship Park can provide the setting for such pursuits, encompassing a 65-acre expanse with 5 kilometers of trails for walking, running, cycling, or snowshoeing.[3]

A diverse network of neighborhoods forms the city, from working class in the outlying regions to more upscale affluent neighborhoods near the downtown portion and parts of the suburban areas. The closer one gets to downtown Summerside, the more Victorian homes that have been converted into bed and breakfasts may be seen. Commonly known throughout Canada for its nineteenth-century and early twentieth-century residential architecture, Summerside reportedly “possesses the largest concentrated collection of built heritage in Atlantic Canada.”[8]

Geography

Prince County serves as the location of the namesake, Summerside, comprising the majority of the destination. Geographically, one of its most prominent features is Malpeque Bay, a sub-basin of the Gulf of St. Lawrence that creates the narrowest portion of the island’s landmass—an isthmus that Summerside occupies. A socio-economic division between East Prince, which is more urban, and rural West Prince informally augments Malpeque Bay’s geographic division. Concerning the region’s rural economic activity, industrial farming for root crops, such as potatoes, constitutes the majority of such practices in Prince County, followed by fishing for shellfish, namely lobster and crab.[5]

The city of Summerside experiences a humid continental climate, and in comparison to other more inland regions of the island, the area has some maritime moderation. Summers tend to be warm and moderate, with the highest temperature ever recorded reaching 92.7°F (33.7°C) in 2013, while the lowest temperature was ranked at -26°F (-32.2°C) in 1930.[1] Generally speaking, temperatures vary within the range of 11°F and 74°F over the course of the year in Summerside. June to September is often considered the warm season when average daily temperatures remain above 65°F. However, the hottest month of the year in Summerside, July, typically experiences an average high of 73°F and a low of 60°F. Regarding the cold season, which lasts roughly from December to March, average temperatures drop below 35°F daily, even further decreasing between 13°F and 26°F during the coldest month, January. These weather statistics suggest that late June to early September have the highest probability of receiving moderate temperatures for visitors who may be interested in engaging in warm-weather activities during their travels to the Summerside Destination.[4]

History

Much of Summerside’s history pertains to shipbuilding, and a man by the name of Joseph Pope was at the forefront of its development. Pope and his son, James Colledge, were prompted to move to Green’s Shore across the bay, with the hopes that their vessels with larger tonnage could be safely launched. On account of his wealth and political prominence, improvements were made to road communications with the village. Eventually, Summerside became a community that actively transported shipments of oats and potatoes. While the maritime industry was fairly significant throughout the 1860s, agriculture and local retailers began to stabilize the economy as well. Maritime activity began to decline upon the departure of those who were skilled in the trade, as they left Summerside to “pursue their professions in the ‘Boston States.’” Circa 1909, Frank Tuplin introduced fox ranching to the area, leading to an overproduction of pelts as its popularity increased. From 1910 to 1914, these years were recognized as the “boom years” for the fox industry in Summerside, with buyers traveling from Paris and Leipzig. After the collapse of the fox industry which followed the war in 1945, wartime economics, chronic over-production, changes in women’s fashion, and new chemical dying techniques had surpassed the production of pelts in terms of economic value.[6]

The current name of Summerside derives from an inn that was established in the city and named Summerside House. Having been established by Joseph Green—the youngest son of Daniel Green, who established the city in 1780—the inn became the namesake of Summerside. Although, initially, Joseph Green had called Summerside Green’s Shore. Since then, the city has emerged as a fishing port and summer resort for tourists.[7]