Picture courtesy of coin.ca
In the southeast corner of Confederation Park, opposite the city hall, Ontario Street, Kingston
Commemoration
One of the most influential and controversial figures in Canadian history, Frontenac was born at St-Germain-en-Laye, France. As a member of the noblesse d'épée he was able in 1672 to secure the appointment as Governor- General of New France. Devoted largely because of self-interest to promoting the colony's territorial expansion, Frontenac established a series of fortified fur-trading posts extending into the interior of North America, the first of which, Fort Frontenac, was constructed near here in 1673. He quarreled incessantly with other officials, however, and as a result was recalled in 1682. Reappointed seven years later, Frontenac successfully defended New France from attacks by the Iroquois and English and continued, until his death in Quebec, to expand the western fur trade.
Background
Frontenac had Fort Frontenac built in what is now Kingston as part of his, and New France’s, fur trading efforts. His relations with native communities were as fraught as those with his own countrymen. In 1696, at the age of 74, he led a force from Montreal to try to end years of desultory warfare with the Iroquois. He had better relations with the Hurons.
While the elite of France and New France had troubles with him, the people of New France loved him and mourned his passing.