National Historic Site at the mouth of the LaHave River, just 20 miles from Oak Island. Originally established as a French stronghold in 1632 by Isaac de Razilly, a high-ranking Knight of Malta who arrived with 300 elite men and sailed into Mahone Bay.
About This Site
Fort Point is a National Historic Site at the mouth of the LaHave River in LaHave, Nova Scotia, approximately 15 miles south of Oak Island. The site marks the location of the French stronghold originally established in 1632 by Isaac de Razilly, a high-ranking Knight of Malta who arrived in Nova Scotia with 300 elite men and founded the French colony of Acadia. De Razilly served as the first governor of Acadia and maintained close ties to the Knights of Malta throughout his brief tenure, which ended with his unexpected death in July 1636. The site has been recognized as historically significant since the 19th century and today functions as a museum and interpretive centre documenting the early French colonial presence in the region.
Connection to Oak Island
In Season 13, Alex Lagina, Peter Fornetti, Judi Rudebusch, and Emiliano Sacchetti traveled to Fort Point to meet local historian and author Joan Dawson. Dawson confirmed that the Venetian trade beads found on Lot 5 of Oak Island were the same type Isaac de Razilly would have used for fur trading with the Mi'kmaq people. She noted that de Razilly wrote to the leader of the Knights of Malta suggesting they establish a monastery in Nova Scotia, that he sailed into Mahone Bay with two local priests, and that a journal from the expedition describes an island filled with oaks.
Dawson also confirmed that several of de Razilly's possessions, including chests, went missing after his unexpected death in 1636. When shown the French flintlock plate found on Lot 8 of Oak Island, she considered it consistent with de Razilly's well-armed forces. Emiliano presented a volume from researcher John Edwards' book series containing Masonic codes, Hebrew writings, and a hand-drawn map of Oak Island; Dawson recognized the author Josephus and stated that such a book was exactly what a Knight of Malta would have kept in his library. The visit strengthened the connection between de Razilly's Acadian colony and early activity on Oak Island.
Fieldwork Notes
Visited during Season 13 by Alex Lagina, Peter Fornetti, Judi Rudebusch, and Emiliano Sacchetti. Local historian Joan Dawson identified Venetian beads as consistent with de Razilly's trading practices, confirmed his expedition sailed into Mahone Bay, and noted that his possessions went missing after his death in 1636. She also connected the flintlock plate and John Edwards' book to the Knights of Malta tradition.
