MapleSquare

Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the Fredericton area was used for seasonal farming by the Mi'kmaq and Maliseet peoples. The "principle village" of the Native Americans, Aucpaque, was located a few kilometres up river from the site of the present day city.

In 1692, the French Joseph de Villebon built Fort Nashwaak, which was abandoned eight years later. The second European settlement came in the form of Pointe-Sainte-Anne (Ste. Anne's Point), which was founded in 1732 by Acadians fleeing British-held Nova Scotia. The settlement was burnt to the ground in 1755.

In 1783, United Empire Loyalists settled in Ste. Anne's Point after the American Revolution. This year is regarded as the founding of the City of Fredericton. About 2,000 Loyalists settled in the area, including several army regiments.

In the following year, New Brunswick became a separate colony from Nova Scotia and Ste. Anne's Point became the provincial capital. The founding of King's College in 1785 coincided with the renaming of the settlement to "Frederick's Town", in honour of the second son of King George III of the United Kingdom. From this name came the present "Fredericton".

In 1848, Christ Church Cathedral was built; this allowed Fredericton to achieve city status. In the 20th century, the city's industries gave way to universities, reinforcing Fredericton's education- and cultural-centric feel. In 1945, Gibson (present Devon) was amalgamated into the city, and was followed in 1973 by the bedroom communities of Nashwaaksis, Marysville, Barker's Point, and Silverwood.