Old Town Lunenburg, founded in 1753, is the best remaining example of planned British colonial settlement in North America. It was developed as a model town, with a rigid grid and wooden houses. The town grew into an important seaport and shipbuilding centre. Lunenburg was named in honour of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, (George August of Hanover) who was also the ruler of Brunswick-Lunenburg. During the French and Indian War, several small forts which ringed the town were garrisoned