Timeline of Port Louis
The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Port Louis on the island of Mauritius. Prior to 20th century 1606 - Dutch settlers start to use this area as a harbour which they call Harbour of Tortoises, after their initial 1598 settlement at Port de Warwick in Ferney, Vieux Grand Port. 1721 - French in power on Isle de France; Noord-Wester Haven (harbor) renamed "Port Louis." 1729 - Hôtel du Gouvernement built. 1735 - Development of Port Louis begins (approximate date). 1749 - Le Réduit (fort) built near Port Louis at Moka. 1772 - Bagne Prison built. 1774 - Line Barracks or Casernes Centrales is inaugurated after start of construction in 1740. 1782 - construction begins.(de) 1790 - Thomas Enouf becomes mayor of Town of Port Louis. 1791 - Foundation of Collège National or Collège Colonial in Port Louis. This would later become Lycée Colonial and eventually the island's first Royal College. 1794 - Town renamed "Port de La Montagne." 1795 - Town renamed "Port Nord-Ouest." 1803 - Captain Matthew Flinders is arrested during a port call to repair his ship Cumberland as Governor De Caen believes he is a British spy. 1805 - Mosque constructed.