Souris, a charming town nestled in Kings County, Prince Edward Island, Canada, is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Located near the northeastern tip of the province, Souris offers a rich history, stunning landscapes, and a vibrant community.
Souris was founded by Acadians in 1727 as a fishing settlement at the mouth of the Souris River. The town's name, which is French for "mouse," was inspired by several plagues of field mice that damaged crops in the area during the 1720s-1760s. The town's mascot is, fittingly, a mouse.
The town's name also shares roots with the Souriquois and the Souris River. The term "Souriquois" was used by the French (Acadians) to refer to the Mi'kmaq, the first inhabitants in the area. The Mi'kmaq had an encampment at the head of the Souris River.
The first white settlers, several Acadian families, arrived in 1740 but were forced out by the British after the Siege of Louisbourg in 1758. In 1765, the British government divided the island into 67 lots, with Souris being lot #45, spanning 20,000 acres. Scottish settlers arrived in the area as early as 1772, followed by English and Irish settlers around 1810.
Souris was incorporated into Prince Edward Island on November 14, 1910. The town boasts many well-preserved historic buildings, including the Matthew and MacLean Building, Souris Customs House and Post Office, and the McQuaid Building.
The town has a well-developed harbor for fishing boats and boat repair. Since the 1960s, Souris has hosted an interprovincial ferry terminal for the service to Quebec's Magdalen Islands. The MV Madeleine II, operated by the Coopérative de transport maritime et aérien (CTMA), provides this service.
As of 2016, Souris spans a land area of 3.47 square kilometers. The town is part of the Appalachian Region, which includes southern Quebec, Gaspésie, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland. The region features many physiographic units with a peneplain that slopes from the highest point in the northwest down in a southeastward manner towards the ocean.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Souris had a population of 1,079 living in 480 of its 533 total private dwellings, a change of 2.5% from its 2016 population of 1,053. The town has a population density of 298.9/km2 (774.1/sq mi) in 2021.
In 2016, the population was composed of 13.7% of persons aged 14 years and under, 57.3% of persons aged 15-64, and 33.6% of those aged 65 years and over. English was the first official language for 93% of the population. The ethnic origins from most to least listed are: Canadian, Scottish, Irish, English, French, German, North European, Indigenous, Guatemalan, Mexican, and Czech. Approximately 30-34% of the population has a postsecondary certificate, diploma, or degree.
