Art in Pen and Ink

LE CANAL DE LACHINE - Montréal

2011-04-03T16:45:00.000-07:00

’idée ne date pas d’hier. Dès 1670, on proposait de creuser un canal. Idée reprise une dizaine d’années plus tard. Le but était double : les moulins de Montréal avaient besoin d’eau et la navigation vers « les pays d’en haut » en serait facilité. 1689, on commence les travaux. L’attaque de Lachine par les Iroquois met fin au projet. Reprise en1700. Autre arrêt l’année suivante par manque de fonds.

En 1821, les marchands avaient besoin du canal. Il fut alors achevé en 1825. D’abord ouvert pour les bateaux à fond plat, il dû être élargi par deux fois pour permettre à de plus gros navires de passer. Il fut aussi une source importante d’énergie électrique pour les diverses manufactures qui s’établirent le long du canal. On dit qu’avant la grande crise de 1929, près de 15,000 navires l’utilisaient chaque année. Mais trente ans plus tard, pour permettre aux transatlantiques de se rendre jusqu’en Ontario, la Voie maritime du Saint-Laurent pris la relève.

Ce fut le déclin jusqu’en 1997 alors que Parcs Canada (qui l’administrait depuis 1978) mit de l’avant un projet de revitalisation du canal. Depuis 2002, de nombreux bateaux de plaisance le traversent à la grande joie des curieux. Aujourd’hui, il est devenu une fierté pour Montréal.

Il mesure 14,5 kilomètres et relie le Vieux-Port et le lac Saint-Louis. Sa piste cyclable est fort achalandée. Des activités diverses ont été mises sur pied afin de permettre à la population de profiter de cette richesse patrimoniale. Ainsi on peut y faire une croisière fort instructive d’une durée de deux heures. Des randonnées avec guide à bicyclettes sont également organisées, des rallyes photos, des visites commentées à pied pour en découvrir l’histoire, des expéditions en bateau dragon, des locations de pédalos, bateaux à moteur électrique et d’autres activités sont mises à la disposition des curieux de l’histoire.

FRENCH UNION BUILDING - Montréal

2010-04-28T09:55:00.000-07:00

429 rue Viger E.

This beautiful residence should be called Jacques -Felix Sincennes House, the owner's first name. It was built in 1867. In his youth, Sincennes learned about the navigation business, later became ship-owner, businessman and even touched on politics.

There was no steam navigation on the Richelieu River. J.F. Vincennes brought together the necessary funds and built a paddle boat/wheel and a barge to transport products of all sorts from the Richelieu river to Montreal and on the river. The success was such that Vincennes had to quit his position of captain to become first Secretary and then President of the company, the Compagnie du Richelieu. The latter took expansion but soon had to face competition and finally the two rivals formed new company that became the Steamship Lines in 1913.

Sincennes became Deputy in Richelieu from 1857 to 1861. He was also appointed judge. He lived his last years in Montreal.

The French Union took possession of the building in 1909 and organized conferences, fairs, exhibitions for many years, hence the current name of the building.

In front of the building, two statues have been erected. On the left side, Marianne, a symbolic figure representing the French Republic. It is a work of Paul Romain Chevré who survived the sinking of the Titanic. As might be expected, the other one is the statue of Joan of arc. This building is located in the Square Viger, an exceptional heritage sector. Therefore, it is protected for future generations.

EDWARD-WILLIAM-GRAY / HOUSE AND WAREHOUSE

2010-04-24T17:57:00.000-07:00

427-429, rue St. Vincent

This three floor house as well as its neighbor was built in 1785 by Edward William Gray, one of the first civilian British to settle in Montreal. Being a merchant, he was also Sheriff Deputy, grand provost, notary, lawyer, justice of the peace and station master. This house along with the building of the 437 would be the only commercial buildings dating from the 18th century. Gray lived the largest building while the smallest served as a warehouse. The exterior of these two witnesses of the past suffered almost no change. In 1810, E.W. Gray died and his wife kept the house until 1825. Then a nephew and partner, Frederick William Ermatinger who was also Sheriff, became owner for two years.

Séraphino Giraldi, hotelkeeper and shopkeeper, bought it in 1828. It was then used as a small barrack, and after the construction of the law courts on Notre Dame Street, the tenants were rather men of law. One of them was the famous George-Étienne Cartier. Giraldi died in 1869, due to debts not paid, the Jacques-Cartier Bank became the owner of the building.

A printer, Adjuteur Carmel, rented the place in 1880 then purchased it later. He and his family staided there until 1919. A doctor followed, Stephen Langevin, in 1954. He also made different changes among them the slope roof which was changed to aflat roof. Then restaurants and breweries occupied the house. Bernard Beaudoin became owner of it in 1954 and his estate kept the building until 1970. A fire damaged the building in 1968 and Mr. Beaudoin restored it giving it its original appearance.

In 1969, the building was classified an historic monument.

H0TEL RICHELIEU - Old Montreal

2010-04-24T17:29:00.000-07:00

443, rue Saint-Vincent

This building has had several names in its history, sometimes Hotel Richelieu, sometimes Club-Williams, at other times building Le Devoir and even the morgue of Montreal. It all began in 1858 or 1861, the past is sometimes nebulous.

Built by Roch Jacques Séraphino Giraldi, innkeeper and merchant, the building was leased and five law firms occupied parts of the building. Among these were George - Étienne Cartier, the "Father of Confederation", Severus Rivard, who has been Mayor of Montreal. The Giraldi estate retained its ownership of the building until 1873.

Joseph Béliveau bought the House to enlarge his hotel which was known as Hotel Richelieu. Three buildings formed the Hotel that was well renowned. The current building number 443 is the only one that remains.

Among the different owners, there was Isidore Brien dit Durocher. He was a U.S. Army veteran. It is said that he would have participated in the Secession war. During this war, several French Canadian enrolled. Some of them it is said, enrolled in a unit, received the sum that was offered to those who volunteered, then at the first opportunity they deserted to enlist again in another Regiment. After a few attempts, they came back with an interesting sum of money... and definitely richer than before!

From 1889 to 1910, a French lady was also the owner of the building without ever having seen or set foot in it, Mary Alice Beatrice Isabeau Saveuse de Beaujeu. Her husband was the owner of the hotel and she inherited it after his death and his children continued owning it for fifteen years. In 1925, the Government of Quebec became the owner.

A private club occupied the premises in 1912, the Jacques-Cartier Club where enthusiasts could engage in billiards, chess, cards and dominos. The Devoir was another owner from 1914 to 1924. The Morgue followed in 1969, but working conditions were far from ideal. It is said that corpses were disappearing mysteriously. The forensic laboratory, the third most ancient in the world and the first in North America, as well as the offices of the coroner also occupied the building.

Changes were made to the building. A fourth floor was added. The Interior also was adapted to printing conditions. Among the VI P who stayed at the hotel Richelieu, it’s worth mentioning Sarah Bernhardt, although other sources mention that his troupe members were those who slept in the Hotel while she lived in a different one.

HOBOKEN N.J. ELKS LODGE

2010-04-04T17:53:00.001-07:00

440, Place Jacques-Cartier, Old Montreal

2010-04-04T17:36:00.001-07:00

BASILIQUE-CATHEDRAL OF MONTREAL

2010-03-20T16:10:00.000-07:00

The Cathedral of Montreal has two names: Saint-Jacques and Marie-Reine du Monde. It is said to be the third largest church in Quebec. Bishop Ignace Bourget, second Bishop of the city, chose to build a replica of the Papal Basilica in scaled model, approximately one-third of that of Rome. Due to our winters, some architectural elements have been omitted. The construction began in 1875 and the consecration took place in 1894. Originally known as Cathedral Saint-Jacques, Pie XII formally recognized it under its current name. The Cathedral became a minor Basilica in 1919.

Those who go to Rome may see statues of the twelve apostles on the façade of the Basilica. In Montreal, there are thirteen copper statues of saints given by parishes. Inside the Cathedral, certain elements of the Vatican are also reproduced, for example the canopy on top of the altar. Many paintings recount the history of Montreal. A chapel contains the remains of the Bishops of the city as well as a recumbent effigy of Bishop Bourget.

The Canadian Zouaves who participated in the crusade to defent the Papal States are engraved on several marble plates. One hundred thirty-five young men enrolled in 1868. There was a total of more than five hundred of them but only three hundred eighty eight went in Italy. The Zouave Association, founded in 1899, worn the 1868 uniform and weapons until the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1984. They used to accompany all catholic and nationalist celebrations until that moment. But with the Quiet Revolution of the 1960s, the Association has gradually declined and exists no more.

The organ was originally built by the Casavant Brothers. Redesigned several times, it has now four keyboards and eighty-seven stops. Bach would be delighted to play on it.

On the right side of the façade of the building, a monument was erected to honor Bishop Bourget. On one of the basic scenes, the Bishop can be seen visiting Canadian Zouaves in an Italy camp.

In 2006, the Federal Government has proclaimed the Basilica Marie-Reine-du-Monde “national historic site of Canada”.

LE CHATEAU DE RAMEZAY - Montreal

2010-03-20T14:11:00.000-07:00

One would like that our old historical buildings remained intact as they were when built. Most of them have evolved, sometimes have been rebuilt after a fire, expanded or transformed. It Is the case with the Château Ramezay. Claude Ramezay was Governor of Montréal (he had been Governor of Trois-Rivières before) and he had his house built in 1705-1706 on a three feet thick stone walls. After a fire in 1754, the house was rebuilt and enlarged in 1758 in part on its original foundations. It is at the end of the 19th century that it was baptized the “Castle”.

As the majority of our witnesses of history, the Château Ramezay has had several vocations in its three hundred years of existence. First house of the Governor, it has been leased to the King to accommodate the Intendant and became in 1745 offices of the Compagnie des Indes which had the monopoly of fur exports. ThehHouse later became residence of Governors, military headquarters under the English occupation, courthouses, school of medicine and finally Museum in 1885.

It was more beautiful (to my taste) a few years ago with its stone walls. Then, probably to protect the walls against the weather, it has been covered with mortar. The turret on the east side is not original. It was added in 1903.

A few years after the opening of the Museum (1895), a very nice collection of the society of archaeology and coin currency was exposed. It grew over time. The Nantes room did not exist originally. It is only in 1957 that rich mahogany panels were brought to cover the wall of this room which took the name of Nantes Room. The panels came from a building of Nantes in France which had belonged to the West Indies Company.

The basement is also very interesting to visit. We are invited to relive the daily lives of our ancestors of the 18th century. We can see furniture, kitchen, oven, and even models dressed as to the days of the past. Native American prehistory is also present through everyday objects showing a culture that was adapted to an environment not always clement. Temporary exhibitions vary exploiting a variety of themes.

Mr. de Ramezay had also a garden. In the year 2000 the Museum made a reconstruct of it if not identical, at least in the style and content of the gardens of the nobility.

Visiting the Chateau Ramezay is a must.

ST.NICOLAS CHURCH - Montréal

2010-03-12T19:24:00.000-08:00

452, Notre-Dame East

The original building was called Greek Syrian Orthodox Saint-Nicolas Church (with its French correspondence) or Saint Nicholas Cathedral. Before, a three-storey building occupied the land but was demolished for the construction of the Church built between 1910 and 1912 in spite of the bankruptcy of the contractor and the financial problems of the Syrian Community. A Lantern Tower was to crown it, but it was sacrificed because of lack of money.

The fire damaged the Church in 1931 but mainly the building next to it. Later the two bell towers disappeared without apparent reason it seems. Then the Syrian congregation left the place in 1949 and delocalized in Villeray, another district of Montreal. The Belgian community then occupied the premises. Since the beginning of 2000, the building has been transformed into condominiums.

As this building is located in the historic district of Montreal, it is protected for the future generations

THE PAPINEAU HOUSE

2010-03-05T19:36:00.000-08:00

440, de Bonsecours St.

I t seems, according to a Louis J.A. Papineau’s letter written in 1894, that the first Papineau to set foot on the soil of New France in 1686-1687 had fled France because he was a Huguenot or Calvinist and therefore Protestant. He would be the ancestor of all the Papineau family.

A Joseph Papineau “dit Demontigny” possessed a land on Bonsecours Street. He had a wooden house built on the site. Colonel John Campbell bought everything and built a stone house in 1786. He was responsible of the Indian Affairs in Montreal. His house was two stories high. Acquired by the Papineau family in 1809, Louis-Joseph became the owner in 1814.

Changes were necessary when the Bonsecours Street was lowered by nearly two meters. The basement of the building became the ground floor and it was decided to extend the remains up to the nearby house and a carriage entrance was fitted out to allow access to the backyard. Louis-Joseph Papineau, well known for being one of the Patriots revolt executive heads had fled in exile for several years. During his stay in France, the home was transformed into the Exchange Hotel, and then Arcade Hotel. On his return he took again possession of the building but for a short time, preferring to settle in Montebello.

Then a few hotels occupied the building: the Empire Hotel, the Rivard Hotel, the Bonsecours Hotel, the Royal Hotel and even restaurants. The House underwent major changes. Two brick storey were added and disfigured it. The Papineau family remained there until 1919. Thereafter several owners followed.

In 1964 a savior arrived in the person of Eric McLean, a journalist who became a member of the Order of Canada. He was concern of the conservation of the heritage buildings. Following an old drawing of Rosewell Corsica Lyman, he gave the building its appearance of the 1830s. The Interior was also rejuvenated. It’s worth mentioning that nineteen tapestry layers have been removed. Mr. McLean remained forty years in this house that was designated a historic monument in 1965 and became property of the Government of Canada in 1982. The House is now leased to individuals. At the door, a commemorative plaque certifies that Joseph Papineau and his son Louis-Joseph have lived there as well as their descendants.

ÉDIFICE DE L’UNION NATIONALE BELGE - Vieux-Montréal

2010-02-26T19:40:00.000-08:00

452, Notre-Dame East

The original building was called Greek Syrian Orthodox Saint-Nicolas Church (with its French correspondence) or Saint Nicholas Cathedral. Before, a three-storey building occupied the land but was demolished for the construction of the Church built between 1910 and 1912 in spite of the bankruptcy of the contractor and the financial problems of the Syrian Community. A Lantern Tower was to crown it, but it was sacrificed because of lack of money.

The fire damaged the Church in 1931 but above all the building next to it. Later the two bell towers disappeared without apparent reason it seems. Then the Syrian congregation left the place in 1949 and delocalized in Villeray. The Belgian community then occupied the premises. Since the beginning of 2000, the building has been transformed into condominiums.

As this building is located in the historic district of Montreal, it is protected for the future generations

THE GEORGE-ÉTIENNE CARTIER HOUSE

2010-02-19T19:13:00.001-08:00

458, Notre-Dame St.

This residence belonged to a man who played a crucial role for the future of Canada, Sir George-Étienne Cartier. It is in fact two semi-detached houses built between 1836 and 1838 for Arthur Ross, lawyer. His mother occupied the section next to Berri Street in 1839.

In 1848, George-Étienne Cartier was the new owner. His family lived at the Berri-Notre-Dame corner until 1855 when they all left the city. A lawyer rented the House but Cartier came back in 1862 and bought the nearby home to occupy it. After the death of Cartier in 1873, the estate retained the two houses until 1951. Another tenant occupied the other part , A.G.A. Ricard who was a doctor and member of the Medical Office of the Notre-Dame Hospital.

After 1871, the house was rented to different people. It was first a particular hotel and then in 1880 a store of the Ministry of the militia followed by a hotel which took the name of Grand Pacific Hotel. It goes without saying that the inside of the building was then transformed. Another major change occurred a few years later when the Berri Street tunnel was open. The section overlooking the Berri Street was truncated more than three meters; the roof became an attic roof and a balcony was built.

Because of the 1901 fire, renovations were again brought and a change of name, the Grand Pacific Hotel became the Dalhousie Hotel and then the Royal Rooms in the 1930s.

The Federal Government finally bought the home in 1973. Other restorations took place and the property became a museum dedicated to G.E. Cartier who played an important role in the history of the country and, since 1985, his career is highlighted in this now Victorian style house.

George-Étienne Cartier is often called “the Father of Confederation”. It is certain that his role in the creation of this system of Government is very important. His political career began in 1835 when he became a lawyer. It is closely linked to the Patriots being a member of the Sons of Liberty and even participating at the Saint-Denis battle. Exiled in the United States, he soon returned to Montreal and practiced law.

He also played a large role in the development of education in the province. As close as 80 % of the country people could neither read nor write, so he put in place a series of reforms including the establishment of a Council of public instruction as well as Normal Schools. The teachers saw their working conditions improved and the first pension system was introduced.

In 1848, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the United-Canada. He soon became the most influential politician of the East part. The idea of a Federation of the provinces was gaining ground and Cartier traveled to London in the company of A.T. Galt and J. Ross to convince the Queen Victoria. In 1864 he went to the Prince Edward Island in the company of other delegates to set the foundations for a Confederation, which became reality in 1867. He then became Minister of Militia and Defense.

Great negotiator, his services were required for the purchase of the Rupert’s Land and the Northwest Territory, the creation of the province of Manitoba and he was very active in the negotiations with British Colombia which led to its entry into Confederation. He is the one who introduced a bill for the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railroad.

In 1919, a monument has been erected in his honor on the Mountain Park on Park Avenue. It has been recently renovated. Do the “Tam-Tam” enthusiasts gathering there every Sunday of the summer have a thought for this great man?

FRANK SINATRA POST OFFICE - HOBOKEN N.J.

2010-02-13T16:02:00.001-08:00

THE DALHOUSIE TRAIN STATION

2010-02-13T15:58:00.000-08:00

Its architecture does not have the scope of the Viger station, perhaps because it was built a few years earlier, in 1883-84 and it was not the same architect. To build it, it has been necessary to demolish several houses, including a firefighter barracks. It is from this station that the first Canadian Pacific train left in the direction of Winnipeg on June 28th,1886, travelling at about 38 kilometers per hour.

Its role as a station from Montreal to Western Canada was short and ended with the construction of the close Viger station-hotel in 1898 (we see the Viger station on the left side of the sketch turrets). In 1929, it was used as a warehouse for the company. Later a fruit auction was held in it for a while. Montreal bought it in 1984 and began major restorations; in particular the roof resumed its original form. The National School of Circus made in it its pirouettes from 1986 to 2003 and it is now the Eloize Circus that took over.

Why the name of “Dalhousie”? It was given to honor George Ramsay, Baron Dalhousie. He was a military and appointed Governor General of British North America in 1820. It is said that he had an irascible character and an authoritarian view of the political system. As the legislature was dominated by the French Canadians, he often had trouble with the latter and even dissolved the House. It is also opposed the representatives of the Catholic Church. He has finally been transferred to India non-without having been severely blamed for his administration here by the London House of Commons.

THE JEFFERSON TRUST COMPANY - Hoboken N.J.

2010-02-09T18:03:00.000-08:00

313-315, First Street

In February 1986, this beautiful building, built in 1912, was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Jefferson Trust Company was founded in 1905. The businessmen who founded it have seen their bank prospering at the same pace as the city was growing. But the Great Depression of 1928 and the following years provoked its failure.

Different owners occupied the space. In the 1980’s, Hoboken Brownstone Company renovated meticulously the building. Civic organizations, theatrical organizations and art groups used it for all kind of activities and cultural events.

When I saw it in autumn 2009, the building was under reconstruction. The façade and one wall were still standing and the renovation was going on. It seems that it will contain 53 units with parking and gym.

LA PLACE D'ARMES

2010-02-07T17:51:00.000-08:00

It is called "Place d'Armes", but originally it was the "place of the parish council", a public square, property of the Sulpicians. It soon became a place of social meetings and official proclamations. It is in 1721 that military maneuvers were transported on this land, thus giving its current name. In 1760, the French army a deposed arms at the feet of the English conqueror. Place d'Armes remained the property of the Sulpicians until 1836 when the City bought it.

The place had to adapt to all kinds of circumstances and events. On it was set up a tank and a fire pump and even a bust of King George III. It became a hay and wood market. It has been the event violence. In 1832, three francophones were killed there by the British army. The year 1837 saw confrontations between the “Fils de la Liberté” and Doric Club members. After its acquisition by the city, the site became a public garden and a fountain was installed. The fountain has been replaced by a monument in memory of the founders of Montreal: Maisonneuve and Jeanne-Mance. Charles LeMoyne, Lambert Closse and his dog Pilote and even one Iroquois have found a place on the monument. Many events were celebrated: a winter “fête” in 1884, many carnivals and of course the annual ceremony of the Foundation of Ville-Marie.

Later, the garden gave way to concrete, public urinals were constructed underground but closed in the 1980s, it seems. In 1960, the place took the aspect we see now.

In 2007, a few transformation projects of Place d'Armes were studied. International teams came to present their plans of redevelopment of the site. The improvements finally began in 2009.

Tourists invade the place with joy and do "click-click" with their cameras without taking much time to really see the monument or the Notre-Dame Church. Back home, perusing their photos, they will revive their short stay with us.

THE TOWER CLOCK - Montréal

2010-01-30T11:45:00.000-08:00

The Tower Clock, also called Remembrance Tower at the end of the Victoria pier, indicates the hour with its four dials installed on its sides, but they do not always give the right time, it seems. The first reason is that little scoundrels succeed sometimes to stop the six meter pendulum and the second one being that the heat slows down the mechanism. The small hand measures 1.20 meter and the other one two meters. One hundred and ninety two stairs give access to the summit of the tower. A beautiful view expects the slightly breathless visitors...

It was built in 1921-22, after the First World War. The builders had two goals: to honor the memory of the Merchant Navy sailors died during the war (sixty-nine thousand soldiers and sailors would have lost their lives) and to guide vessels entering the port through a Lighthouse lamp. This lamp has been replaced by an Observatory when the tower was restored in 1984, the same year when it was open to the public. An interpretation centre was installed along the stairs. It has been declared a historical monument in 1996.

I read somewhere that there would also be legends about the Tower... The lovers kissing near the Tower would live an eternal love. Those who visit the town and approach the Tower would be sure to come back to Montreal. These are beautiful legends. They bring us back to prehistoric times when mystery impregnated everybody’s life.

HOBOKEN - ST PETER & ST PAUL CHURCH

2010-01-24T06:34:00.000-08:00

The Saint Peter and Paul Church in Hoboken is a Roman Catholic church in the Archdiocese of Newark. It was built in 1889 on Hudson St. in the city of Hoboken N.J.

THE COLD WAREHOUSE - - Montréal

2010-01-22T15:42:00.001-08:00

1, Avenue du Port

The Cold Warehouse, a fourteen-storey building, was built in 1922. It is not its seniority which gives it importance but rather its role in commercial infrastructure of the city which is a key witness in the evolution of the old wharf.

The refrigerated warehouse has played an important role because this is where perishable foodstuffs in transit, meats, fruit and vegetables, were kept. Ammonia compressors provided a constant temperature. On the roof, four towers hid a fire protection system. The warehouse has worked until 1965 and one of the towers was used to store brine. Thirteen years later, in 1978, any commercial operation had ceased. The building was vacant for several years.

In 1996, the Government of Canada recognized it as an historic monument. A contractor began the transformation of the building into condominiums. It was a bankruptcy. Finally the Real Estate Management Trams has completed the project and 207 housing units were created. The transformation of the warehouse took place under supervision to keep intact its historic cachet. The old tours on the roof became four penthouses that have a castle look, with a magnificent view on the river and the city. Of course the interior had to be adapted to the new vocation of the building. On the outside, the making of windows in the brick walls resulted in a loss of authenticity and originality.

It is now known as L’Héritage.

DUMAS HOUSE - Old Montreal

2010-01-09T17:10:00.000-08:00

445, rue Paul East

Built in 1757, therefore under the French regime, the Dumas House is among the oldest witnesses of Montreal history and the only example of a small-scale house within the ancient city fortifications. Even if it is now known as Toussaint Dumas’s house, he was not the first owner.

Eustace Prévost was a cooper and acquired the land in 1750. He had this one story house built including the ground floor. The basement was a workshop for the manufacture of barrels and casks. He lived there until in 1777. The Prévost family kept the House until 1823. The son, Charles, added a floor in 1798.

A merchant, Toussaint Dumas lived in the premises in 1823. His son Norbert, lawyer, bought the House in 1839. It was used as a source of profit, two apartments being leased. The building remained in the family property until the 1950s. It housed an innkeeper, then a shoemaker, Thomas McCormick and Joseph Ayotte. The House is divided into four units since 1880. Renovations were held around 1885 and others in 1970. Today the building houses two condominiums and is part of a protected environment.

PIERRE DU CALVET'S HOUSE - Old Montreal

2009-12-20T12:30:00.000-08:00

401, Bonsecours Street

The houses built under the French regime are rather scarce in Montreal. Pierre du Calvet’s house was however built shortly after the English conquest in 1770 but strangely in the French style. It is located in front of the Notre-Dame du Bonsecours chapel. Several years ago it housed a cozy coffee shop where we used to drink a delicious coffee. Then its vocation changed several times during its history. Its stone walls are very thick and exceed the roof to form a firewall, which was mandatory at the time due to a large fire that had destroyed many little houses in the city.

Its constructor, Pierre Du Calvet, a Huguenot (so a protestant) arrived in Montreal in 1761, two years after the battle of “Les Plaines d’Abraham”. He was coming from Acadia where he lived a few years before. Originally the house was three times larger because he had built a warehouse on the back yard on St. Paul Street. Thus Du Calvet could boast that “in the first and second floor, there are 20 beautiful rooms and at least half as that could be built on the third floor”. Being a protestant merchant, he was permitted to get administrative positions then reserved only to Protestants. He was appointed justice of the peace.

His problems started after the invasion of the U.S. troops in 1775 - 76. He was accused of selling food to the rebels and was kept in prison for three years without any trial. He then traveled to the United States, to London and Paris to defend his case and be reimbursed for the goods the American army had stolen him. The US Congress finally accepted to compensate him for half of his claims (he was luckier than the Ursulines Sisters of Trois-Rivières!). In travelling to England in 1786, he perished in the sinking of the vessel.

The House has had several owners as one can imagine. Even Jacques Viger, the first mayor of Montreal, acquired it. The building has been used as hostel, grocery, barbershop, restaurant and even furniture museum. It has also been part of the Pierre Du Calvet Hotel as a restaurant. Now a sculptor uses it as a show room. Needless to say that we don’t go anymore to celebrate our three o’clock “coffee-cult”!

BUILDING ALFRED – TURGEON

2009-12-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

311, rue Saint-Paul East

Built in 1860 by the lawyer Joseph - Octave - Alfred Turgeon, this building is also known by three other designations: Inn Félix-Villeneuve, hotel Bonsecours and hotel Payette. It is primarily a hostel that occupied the place then followed restaurants and groceries as well as the hotel Bonsecours owned by Félix Villeneuve. The place became a pension under a new owner, Napoleon Lefebvre, a jeweller who owned it from 1875 to 1892 while his succession retained it until 1912.

Many grocery stores have opened their door on the ground floor for nearly a century while the upper floors sheltered tenants. Legault and Masse, a grocery store in wholesale and retail, did business from 1931 to 1960 but Narcisse Legault was already present on the premises since the beginning of the 1920s. From 1970s, the same restaurant occupied the place for 20 years. Today, a similar trade operates on the first floor while the upper ones have been turned into commercial condominiums with offices.

The building was not much transformed since its construction. As it is located in the historic Borough of Montreal, it is protected by the provincial legislation and is under the municipal jurisdiction.

HOBOKEN.: ERIE-LACKAWANNA TERMINAL

2009-12-06T16:17:00.001-08:00

Built in 1907, this Beaux-Arts style train station is a real beauty. Its four story façade is covered with copper that oxidized in a beautiful dark green. The stained glass representing floral and Greek revival motifs were designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

The original 225 foot clock tower had to be dismantled at the beginning of the 1950s. Fortunately, a new one has been erected in 2007 replicating the original.

The Erie-Lackawanna Terminal has witnessed a few “firsts”. It’s here that Thomas Edison, in 1930, was at the controls of a regular service electrified train departing for the first time from Hoboken to Montclair NJ. It is also said that the Terminal was the first to install a central air-conditioning device in a public space.

The Terminal has also been used for a few movies: Funny Girl, Three Days of the Condor, Once Upon a Time in America, The Station Agent, Julie and Julia and a few others.

STEVEN GATE HOUSE - HOBOKEN N.J.

2009-12-02T20:02:00.001-08:00

NOTRE-DAME DE BON SECOURS CHAPEL - Montréal

2009-12-02T19:59:00.000-08:00

Twelve years after the founding of Montréal, Marguerite Bourgeoys built the first sanctuary of the city. It was a small wooden chapel thirty feet by forty around 400 yards of the city limits. It lasted only a few years due to its destruction by fire. The founder of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame rebuilt the Chapel, this time a stone one and slightly larger. She asked everyone to bring a stone, inviting also the workers to give a few days of work. It was in 1673.

On a trip to France, Marguerite Bourgeoys returned with a small statue of the Virgin eight inches high. This statue came from a Belgium Castle where it had been worshipped for more than a century. In the 1754 fire, the statue was saved and it became an object of profound veneration. In 1771, it was decided to rebuild a new chapel on the same foundations , thus saving a place coveted by the British army to build barracks.

But the chapel was still a small one. At its side the Bonsecours Market had been built in great style to cause the admiration of the passengers arriving by boat. It has been in the same spirit that it was decided to reshape the chapel. The front on the Bonsecours Street was added as well as an “outgrowth” facing the River. A monumental statue of the protective Virgin of sailors was placed facing the river but the top of the support proved too weak and had to be shortened. It was in 1893.

In the nineteenth century the chapel became a place much frequented by sailors. Miniature ships have been suspended in the vault in thanks to the Virgin Mary for having rescued these sailors in dangers at sea. In 1831, the miraculous statue disappeared without anyone knowing where it was. It was found again in 1894 in a niche of the sanctuary. It is now on the left side altar. Marguerite Bourgeoys also are returned in the chapel in 2005, on the 350e anniversary of the Chapel. She is now buried under the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours statuette.

HOBOKEN. - FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY

2009-11-27T06:52:00.000-08:00

The Library was built in 1896-97 on Church Square Park. It was the third library in New Jersey. It contains a very important historical collection of books, photos, publications, original documents and even council minutes related to the history and culture of the city of Hoboken.

The dome was originally sheathed in copper. Being a Historical Building, in 2008 a grant was given to repair, restore and rehabilitate it. It is a very active site with lots of activities for the citizens of Hoboken of all ages.

PARTHENAIS-PERRAULT I - Montréal

2009-11-27T06:38:00.000-08:00

401-403, Place Jacques-Cartier

Built at the same time as its neighbour of the Jacques-Cartier Square, this house bears the names of the two owners, Louis Parthenais and his son‑in‑law Augustin Perrault. Erected in 1812-1813, this corner unit was rented to François Papineau, a merchant. Various shops followed: grocer, innkeepers, hardware shops.

The wall on the Plaza and the one on St-Paul Street have been rebuilt inn stone and the ground floor windows enlarged in 1842 at the same moment as the neighbour’s house. A physician, Victor Perrault was the owner from 1855 to 1901. Then his daughter kept the building until 1919. A tobacco merchant was occupying the house since1869, Léon Larue. At first he was a tenant, but later he bought the building of the Perrault heirs in 1919. While Larue occupied the corner of the building, several other tenants lived in the other section of the house:, a laundry, taverns and restaurants and even a footwear merchant. The LarueTabagie was replaced by a candy store and then from 1940, taverns and restaurants have been serving beer and meals.

In 1961, automobile being more and more important in the sector, the city decided to build a parking lot and to expropriate several historical witnesses for this purpose. Fortunately, before the damage became a reality, a law was passed in 1964 declaring the Old Montreal a historic district. Farewell parking. The House was then rented in 1966 and restored the next year. Nowadays a souvenir shop occupies the ground floor.

Being in the historic district of old Montréal, this building is now preserved by the law as being part of Montreal Heritage.

HOBOKEN - CITY HALL

2009-11-23T08:29:00.000-08:00

The site was formerly occupied by a public market and has been donated by Colonel John Stevens. In 1883, the middle part of the building was built. The City Hall was enlarged in 1911. Two wings at the front were added plus a jail at the back. The original mansard roof became a third story which was used as an armory during WWI. The main entrance is original. In 1976, the City Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places thus protecting it for future generations.

The building houses the mayor’s office of course plus different others: clercks offices, Municipal Court and others. A display of art works in relation with the city has been installed on the second floor.

At the top of the City Hall two golden eagles keep an eye on the city. It seems they were given names. One would be called Hobo. We can easily guess the other one’s name.

PARTHENAIS-PERRAULT II- Montreal

2009-11-20T16:19:00.000-08:00

407-413, place Jacques-Cartier
There are actually two houses built side by side in 1812 by Louis Parthenais and son‑in‑law Augustin Perrault. Both were traders in potash, a valuable product obtained by maceration of hard wood ash. It was used for the laundry soap manufacturing, cleaned the sand in the manufacture of glass and even to make permanent colors on printed cotton.

Louis Parthenais owned the 407 building while Augustin Perrault was the owner of 413. After the death of Louis, Augustin bought Louis’ parts from the heirs in 1841. His son Francis became the owner in 1855. After that the heirs of the Perrault family kept it until 1919.

Originally, the 407-413 was rented and a hostel and a tavern occupied the places. It has been rented during almost the entire history of the building, but with different tenants. It bore the name of Hotel St-Louis from 1890 to 1915. Transformations took place in 1842, the façade was rebuilt with stones and broader Windows installed on the street floor.

Between 1979 and 1980, the building has been restored to its original condition. A restaurant still occupies the ground floor. Fortunately, it is now protected by provincial and municipal laws

HOBOKEN - ENGINE #3

2009-11-14T08:00:00.000-08:00

NELSON HOTEL - Old Montreal

2009-11-12T08:15:00.000-08:00

417-425, place Jacques-Cartier

Besides being known as Hotel Nelson, the building has three other names: Auberge de l’Amical, Jacques-Cartier Hotel and Roy Hotel. Built in 1865 by a merchant Amable Cyprien Prévost, the building remained in the family until 1927. First two traders occupied the ground floor, a grocery store and a pharmacy. Hotel Jacques - Cartier was receiving its customers in the upper floors. A change of vocation occurred between 1875 and 1880 with the coming of The Grand Trunk, a railroad company.

After the departure of The Grand Trunk, the building was back to its former hotel function until the end of the 20th century. There were a few years of vacancy and a new owner, Philias - Arthur Benoit took possession of the house in 1927. At this moment, the name of the building was changed into Hotel Nelson, name that has been retained for almost forty years. A last name surfaced in 1980, the Auberge de l’Amical. At this moment, its role as a hotel ended. The Benoit family remained owners until 1997.

A restaurant now occupies the ground floor and offices the upper floors. On the South wall, the name "Hotel Nelson" is still printed and reminds us not of the Admiral Nelson who dominates on top of its column on the plaza Jacques-Cartier, but rather the doctor and patriot Wolfred Nelson who also has been Mayor of Montreal in 1854 and deputy. On November 23th 1838, in the battle of St-Denis, he was at the head of the Patriots who won a victory against the British army.

JACOB-WURTELE HOUSE / HOTEL VANDELAC

2009-10-30T17:44:00.000-07:00

431-433, Place Jacques-Cartier / 250 Le Royer Street

This three floors and a half house was built in 1804. The first owner, Jacob Wurtele of German origin, was an innkeeper. On this site existed a wooden house that was destroyed to build a new one. Since Wurtele had another residence on Place Royale, it is possible that at the beginning the Jacques-Cartier Square House was leased. We know however that in 1810, he received his clientele there and was living in it. He died the following year. His wife kept the house and operated the hostel until her death in 1819.

It is Thomas Del Vecchio who became owner of the house in 1822. He also had another hostel, the Three Kings Inn and the Italian Museum on Royal Place. A floor was added to the building in 1825 by Del Vecchio, so it seems. Until 1912, the heirs still owned the hotel which changed name a few times.

A fourth floor was added to the building around 1900 and stables were built in the back yard. Then Pacific Vandelac came. He was an innkeeper/Tavernier. The Vandelac family has been trading in the house for 50 years.

A parking for cars had become necessary according to municipal leaders. So the city of Montréal expropriated several buildings to this end, including the Wurtele House in 1961. A "miracle" saved these historic jewels. The old Montréal as a heritage to be saved and protected for the posterity was finally decided. The parking lot issue was forgotten. Between 1968 and 1973, the fourth brick floor disappeared and the house recovered it original look. Now the ground floor houses a restaurant.

THE ANTOINE MALLARD HOUSE - Montréal

2009-10-30T06:40:00.000-07:00

At the North-West corner of Place Jacques-Cartier and Notre Dame Street, lies a very useful house to tourists because the city has opened in it a Tourism Office. It also houses the Montreal historical society. The building was built in 1810 by Antoine Mallard.

New techniques for stone cutting were imported from Britain in the early 19th century. It was possible then to produce smooth stones. Antoine Mallard was among the first to use this new system and therefore built his home in the French architectural style. He was a rich man. Following the paternal tradition, he was a butcher. Later he began to manufacture soap and candles using potash. He daily used to pick up the ashes of houses, ashes he used for the manufacture of soap. To this trade he added the making of candles he sold to important merchants of the city. Little by little, he left his son-in-law take the business over and became a person of property buying several lands in the ancient fortified city and even the Seigniory of island Bouchard.

The first tenant of this house was a lawyer, John Boston who stayed in the building until in 1815. Small traders followed, shoe repairers, a grocer, even innkeepers. A new soap and candle manufacturer succeeded then, Andres William Hood. He became owner of the House in 1861. Napoleon Lefebvre, a jeweler, bought it in 1885. The building remained in the family until 1967.

And there has been a somewhat special occupant in the person of Stanislas Valley. He opened the Silver Dollar Saloon and he is said to have encrusted in the floor some three hundred and fifty pieces of a US dollar. It was a pleasure for customers to be able to “walk on money”. This fun lasted until 1918, year of the closure of the Silver Dollar Saloon. Several shops settled in the House including Silver Dollar Sweets and the United Cigar Store. The Canadian Heritage of Quebec took possession of the building in 1969 and subsequently gave it to the city of Montreal.

The House underwent various transformations that do not always respected its style. Sloped roof had been replaced by a Victorian style garret. Stone walls were covered with artificial stones multicolored and brilliant. In 1983, the city of Montreal restored the building to what it was originally.

MONUMENT IN HONOR OF NELSON

2009-10-28T08:24:00.000-07:00

This column was erected in 1809-1810 to pay tribute to a naval victory won by Admiral Horacio Nelson at Trafalgar in Spain. He had died four years earlier. The very "British" anglo-canadiens wanting to strengthen the English presence in the country, they had this column erected 33 years before the London one. This is the most ancient Memorial monument in Canada, the first having been erected to honor George III in 1770 but mutilated five years later.

Time has rather been hard with this monument. Inspired by the ancient Trajan column, the base presents bas-reliefs illustrating some of the Admiral battles. These bas-reliefs were made in Coade Stone, an artificial stone manufactured in England. What we see are now copies. In 1826, the monument was painted in blue to protect it from the weather. Repairs were held in 1851. Twenty years later, other alterations were made to the bas-reliefs and in 1900 new repairs had to be done. In 1978, the Nelson statue was removed and replaced two years later with a copy.

Horacio Nelson was a great naval commander. He began his career as a deck-hand and went up to become Admiral. The battle of Trafalgar in Spain was his greatest success but also his last. His fleet caught twenty-one enemy ships, sank one and captured seven thousand prisoners. But above all Nelson ensured the mastery of the seas to England. During the battle, he was fatally wounded by a bullet fired by a certain Robert Guillemard, fusilier. As he had wished to be buried instead of being thrown into the sea as was the custom, his body was put in a barrel of brandy. In Gibraltar, they moved it in a lead coffin filled with wine spirits. Nelson was therefore buried in England.

MARS FIELDS - CHAMPS DE MARS - Montréal

2009-10-23T18:11:00.000-07:00

Saint-Antoine Street(corner Gosford)
For the Romans, Mars was the God of war. They also named the place where the Roman army exercised "Champs de Mars." It is therefore not surprising that several cities have dubbed the same name their military exercises land.

The field first belonged to Lambert Closse, a young hero in the Iroquois war, at the beginnings of the city. Due to the Indian attacks, to protect the burgeoning town, a first wooden palisade was built between 1687 and 1689. In 1712, because of the confrontation between France and England, the construction of a stone wall around the city was ordered by the king, but its building began only in 1717 and ended twenty years later. There was the exterior wall, the escarp and the inner wall, counterscarp with a gap between the two and it was more than three kilometers long and 6.4 meters high. It was conform to every French wall: small doors, loopholes, eight large doors and even drawbridges. In 1744, some improvements were made. But not a shot was fired when the British Army captured the city in 1760.

At the beginning of the 19th century, it became useless and prevented the expansion of the city, so the wall was destroyed in 1812. Then the "Champs-de-Mars" became a place for parades and military exercises and the citizens invaded it for walks and to attend hangings. It is said that everybody had to attend these events and bring their children to complement their moral education...

Different events occurred on the site. On November 22 1885, a large crowd gathered to protest against the hanging of Louis Riel. In the 1890s, a public market was put up on the fields. Then before the first world war, in 1915, rumors circulated the there was to be a compulsory conscription. It aroused many stirrings among the French Canadians and on July 26, violent speeches against the enlistment caused some brawls. The army intervened and several arrests followed. In 1926, the municipal council decided to use this land as a parking area. In 1990, Nelson Mandela’s speech attracted a large crowd. From 1986 to 1991, archaeological excavations were done to study and reveal the remains of the ramparts.

In 1991, a patriotic surge resulted in a better conservation of the remains of the ancient fortifications. In the gap between the two sides of the wall, archaeologists had discovered frogs, muskrats and even turtles bones. What we see today are replicas of the old ramparts reconstituted from the old walls stones to remind everyone a page of Montreal history.

THE JACQUES-CARTIER BRIDGE

2009-10-22T19:55:00.000-07:00

The Jacques-Cartier Bridge has style. It is said that more than 43,000,000 cars go through it each year. As says our national anthem, its "history is an epic". It began in 1874 when some important citizens saw the need for a bridge between Montreal and the South shore. Because of lack of money, the project did not realize.

Finally, in 1925, began the construction of the bridge that was called at that time "South Shore Bridge." In 1930, at the moment of its inauguration, the name was changed for “Havre Bridge” because it had been built with the support of the Commissioners du Havre. The year 1934 being the four hundredth anniversary of the discovery of Canada, because of the popular pressure, the Governor of Canada gave the bridge its current name, Jacques-Cartier Bridge. Until 1962, the travelers had to pay to cross the bridge.

Originally, and according to the plans, the bridge was not supposed to end near De Lorimier Street but rather near the Bordeau Street. But the laws of expropriation were not like the present ones. So a certain owner of a SOAP factory, Hector Barsalou(to keep his name secret !) refused to sell his land. So a curve has been added to the bridge. A capsule containing 59 objects was placed in the cornerstone built into the pillar near the place called “au pied du courant”.

On a Québec trip by bus, the driver was telling to two beautiful girls seated in the first seats that Montreal had four Eiffel Towers placed at the top of the main span of the bridge. He added: "They were given as a gift by France for the Montreal “world exhibition” in 1967. That’s a legend. On the original plans, the small towers already existed. Anyway, the legend is lovely...

THE BONSECOURS MARKET - Old Montreal

2009-10-17T16:05:00.000-07:00

When it was built in 1845-47, the Bonsecours Market was the symbol of a growing city. They wanted it magnificent, spacious with large rooms to prove the good taste and liberality of the Montreal citizens. Its cast iron porch columns were made in England and its silver dome had a proud appearance. As one of the most beautiful buildings of the city, it is not surprising that it has been classified historical and a heritage monument.

But the ground on which it was built has also a story. Charles Le Moyne, Bigot, John Molson (father and sons) occupied the land. After its construction, the market had varied occupations. It has been used as a city-hall for over 25 years, public meetings were held there, used as a theatre, room banquets, ballroom, police station, hotel and it also welcomed the Parliament of Canada-United. For over 100 years until 1963, it was the main public market of Montreal. Farmers and gardeners of some 25 miles around came to sell their fresh products. The appearance of the supermarkets power ended this era.

As one can guess, the fire also played its part. The dome had to be rebuilt. Today, having been renovated, the Market Bonsecours welcomes all kind of artisan crafts: art, fashion, accessories, jewelers and furniture. The second floor is used for exhibitions, balls, official receptions and different activities. Restoration is also present in an XVIIIe century atmosphere. Visiting the Bonsecours Market is a must.

VIGER TRAIN STATION - Montréal

2009-10-09T13:55:00.000-07:00

Between 1896 and 1898 on the South side of Saint-Antoine Street, this magnificent heritage building was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway Co and used as a railroad station until in 1912 before becoming a hotel in 1935. Later it sheltered the employees and offices of the Federal Government followed by those of the city of Montreal until 1950. A new owner appeared in 2006.

There is an obvious similarity between the Viger Station and Quebec Château Frontenac. The two buildings were built by the same Bruce Price, an architect famous for his New York skyscrapers. It gave birth to a Canadian architectural style called “castle style”. It’s a mixture of the Loire castles and Scottish manors architecture. The President of the Canadian Pacific, William Van Horne, commanded the construction of the Viger station. The orange briks came from Scotland (!) and the gray stones from Montreal.

Its history is not without a few incidents. For example, on December 31, 1909, about a hundred people, present to say goodbye to family and friends going to Quebec City, were hit by a terrible gas explosion (gas was used to illuminate the cars at that moment). It was said that they were “projected in the air and that about “30 were more or less injured”. Total: 22 wounded. There was little damage however. The wharf pave was broken almost totally. The cause of the explosion has never been discovered.

Nine years earlier, same date and same time, another incident had occurred. While the train was moving, a man was beheaded. The head was found about two feet off the track. Was it a suicide? An accident? Another mystery for Sherlock Holmes.

The future of the station seems to be totally different. A $ 400 million project has been proposed: eight new buildings would be erected including an 18-storey tower, the old station would again be used as a hotel and two luxury residential and commercial structures would be build one on each side of the actual station. Consultations are underway. What will this building be in the future? History will tell.

RASCO HOTEL - Montreal

2009-09-29T19:42:00.000-07:00

293 Paul East
It started with Francesco Rasco, an Italian, known sometimes as François when speaking with French speaking people and at other moments as Francis with English speakers. He opened first a confectionery and bakery in a building of an Italian fellow at the corner Place Jacques-Cartier and the St-Paul Street. Then he signed an eight year contract with John Molson to be in charge of an hotel at the corner of rue Bonsecours and St-Paul. It was in 1825. The hotel also housed a Masonic Hall and included eighty furnished rooms, a billiard room and a restaurant in the style of the Royal Palace in Paris. The hotel soon was called Masonic Hall Hotel. This happened when John Molson was appointed “venerable porte-épée” of the great Masonic Lodge of the Province of Lower Canada. But the agreement between the two men lasted only one year.

It was between 1834 and 1836 that finally Rasco built his own hotel on St-Paul East Street. It was said to be the most luxurious hotel establishment of the country. A Neo-classical building (that is with items from Greece and ancient Rome architecture), it was the pride of Montreal located in front of the Theatre Royal housed in a wing of the Bonsecours market. Its five floors could receive hosts in 150 rooms. A concert hall, a Ballroom and a high class restaurant were part of the Hotel. Rasco received people of importance like Charles Dickens and his wife in 1842. Dickens took advantage of his stay in Montreal to present a play in the theatre in front of the hotel. Only those invited could see the representation and even Dickens had a role in the play. It was a great success.

In 1844, Francisco Rasco sold his hotel to John Donegani (another Italian) and returned to his native country. As can be expected, fire was part of the history of the building. Today the room occupied by Dickens as well as all the other rooms are unrecognizable. Renovated on several occasions, the building lost little by little its initial style and was stripped of its architectural design. It was vacant between 1960 and 1981. It has even been proposed to demolish it to build a parking lot! Fortunately a bylaw changed all the Old Montreal into a patrimonial area. In 1982, the city took charge of the hotel and restored it.

PLACE JACQUES-CARTIER

2009-09-15T19:23:00.000-07:00

It was a trail used by Indians. After the foundation of Ville-Marie (the first name of Montreal) the Marquis de Vaudreuil built a “Castle” which subsequently served as a residence for French Governors and, under the English occupation, used as College for boys. In 1803, a fire destroyed it. Now on the ground, granite tiles trace the location of the Castle and the ancient fortifications.

After the fire, the place became a market. Two days a week, farmers were selling their products. All around, stone buildings were erected, hostels for visitors, shops for various products, artisans’ workshops. At a stone’s throw away, the Bonsecours Market opened its doors in 1847, which led to the disappearance of the Place Jacques-Cartier market. That’s when Place Jacques-Cartier got its name. However farm products were still sold. A few years later, the hotels made their appearance and so did restaurants and shops. Even a shoe factory moved there in 1867. The market survived two days a week until the 1950s as an extension to the Bonsecours market.

Today, the place is always lively, especially in summer course. A kiosk supplies flowers, artists draw cartoons or portraits, animators and acrobats, musicians and craftsmen entertain the tourists. The old buildings host restaurants that offer tempting menus.

But where is Jacques-Cartier? His statue should be here but indeed it is in Saint-Henri Park! In 1893, a patriotic revival resulted in the creation of a monument honoring Jacques-Cartier. Made of welded bronze sheets, water infiltration produced significant damage to the statue that was repaired in 1963. In 1979 it collapsed. In 1992, a copy was put in the park while the original was kept in the Saint-Henri Metro station.

Who is overlooking the Place on the high column? Horacio Nelson. Experienced sailor, after participating in the war of American independence on the British side, he defeated the French fleet in 1798. But he is especially famous for his victory against the Franco-Spanish coalition in Trafalgar, Spain, in 1805 that gave England the military superiority on the seas for a very long time. He died during the fight and was sent back in England in a barrel of brandy. The British Montreal merchants had this monument installed in 1810, some 33 years before the London one! To show their pride, our “British-Canadian” named “Trafalgar” an important building on Côte-des-Neiges, a staircase which faces it and provides access to the mountain, two squares, and an avenue. One is victorious or he is not! All men are equal and therefore all nations. But some are more “equal” than others.

Will one day Jacques-Cartier has his own monument on this place that bears HIS name? To do so will require courage and History will tell us who had it.

GRAND TRONC BUILDING - Montréal

2009-09-01T14:19:00.000-07:00

MAISON GRAY-rue St-Vincent MONTREAL

2009-08-28T09:47:00.000-07:00

JEAN VAUQUELIN (PLACE VAUQUELIN-MONTRÉAL

2009-08-25T09:51:00.000-07:00

Do you know the Square Neptune? Its name was changed several times. It was located between the City Hall and the first Palais de Justice, where Place Vauquelin is today. Under the British domination the Jesuit’s building had been transformed into a prison with 50 cells in the underground. It was an unhealthy location. Criminals of all kinds were crammed there, murderers, thieving, men, women or prostitutes with their children. A single meal per day was served. The Champs-de-Mars was used for the hangings. In the 1803 fire, the prison was destroyed but not the underground cells. A new prison was built in Le Pied-du-Courant.
Finally a new Palace of Justice was built on the place. It does not exist anymore but the underground cells still remain. In 1858 the place became Square Neptune, with a fountain where throned a small statue of Neptune. In 1924, the Square received a new name Place de l’Hôtel because of the new construction of the City Hall. Finally, its actual name Place Vauquelin was given in 1930.

A beautiful monument took place sponsored by the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste. Captain Jean Vauquelin participated in the defense of the city of Quebec in 1759. The following year, he brought a fleet to Quebec to provide the French army with supplies. But a few days later, an English fleet arrived before the city. In attempting to draw away two English frigates, its Atalante frigate was stuck in Neuville. The two English ships shot around 800 cannonballs on the French ship. Injured, taken prisoner, he was released because of his courage. He then returned to France. The monument represents Vauquelin defending its frigate reduced to a state of wreckage.

Why has this location been chosen for this monument? It has been chosen because in front, on Jacques-Cartier Square, stands the Nelson column. Who was Nelson? He was the Admiral who defeated the Franco-Spanish fleet in Trafalgar, thus preventing Napoleon to attack England. Nelson died during battle. The French-Canadian elite therefore wanted to counterweight British dominance symbol. Two heroes are facing one another. Courage belongs to all nations; the two monuments seem to say.

PEOPLE'S BANK - MONTREAL

2009-08-22T19:24:00.000-07:00

MAISON DE LA SAUVEGARDE = MONTRÉAL

2009-08-21T15:37:00.000-07:00

L'ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE- MONTRÉAL

2009-08-19T06:08:00.000-07:00

¸PALAIS DE JUSTICE #1 MONTRÉAL

2009-08-17T16:19:00.000-07:00

There are three courthouses in Montreal. The first one is located close to the City Hall on the Notre Dame Street. In fact, the “real” first one built in 1823 no longer exists. It was destroyed by fire in 1844. On the same location, but much larger, another one was in built. That’s the building still existing and it is known as the “first” Palace. It is very beautiful and majestic with its columns that suggest an air of ancient Greece. Its architecture gives an impression of a temple, of something sacred, an image that was given then to justice.

It was inaugurated in 1856. At that moment, the building was one story lower and the dome did not exist. These additions were made from 1890 to 1894. It has been used as courts up to 1971. However, in 1922 the criminal cases were transferred at a new Palace in front of the first one. It will be discussed in a next page. Only civil cases were kept. A tunnel connected the two Palaces. Now it hosts offices of the city of Montréal.

PALAIS DE JUSTICE #2 MONTRÉAL

2009-08-17T07:05:00.000-07:00

A second law courts was built from 1922 to 1925 in front of the first that did not match anymore the needs of the city which was taking more expansion. Beside the archives were endangered to be destroyed by an eventual fire. Three architects created it but the Palace is named according to the third one only, Palace Ernest Cormier. It was build in Neo-classical style with columns on the facade remembering the Church La Madeleine of Paris. Justice was still giving the image of the temple, of worship. The criminal cases were transferred from the first palace to the second one. The two buildings were linked by an underground corridor. In addition to the courtroom, there were also dormitories for jurors, premises reserved to the police, and of course cells for prisoners and rooms for judges and lawyers.

On the magnificent bronze door six bas-reliefs illustrate justice through the ages. On one of them a Latin expression can be read: “Dura lex sed lex”, otherwise said, the law is hard but it is the law. On the fronton another Latin sentence can be read “Who violates the law look in vain for it assistance”. Some criminals seem to get away with...

The building has had several vocations. As the third law courts building was completed in 1972, the second one hosted the national archives of Quebec. Then the Conservatory of music moved there as well as the conservatoire of drama. Finally, Justice came back. The Court of appeal of Quebec, after appropriate renovations, took possession of the building.

SMITH HOUSE MONTREAL

2009-08-16T14:22:00.000-07:00

HÒTEL RICHELIEU MONTREAL

2009-08-15T06:08:00.000-07:00

STORE/WAREHOUSE T.TIFFIN MONTRÉAL

2009-08-14T16:48:00.000-07:00

MONTREAL (QUEBEC)

2009-08-13T19:56:00.000-07:00

Montreal was officially founded in 1642. A small group of fervent French, under the leadership of Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve, set up in the island. Their aim was to convert the Indians to Christianity. But the next year, the Iroquois began to attack the small city. The Indian raids ceased in 1701 when many tribes signed the “Great Peace Treaty of Montreal”.

The city evolved under the French administration. The main activity was the fur trade, a very lucrative activity. In 1759, Quebec City fell under the British power and the next year, Montreal surrendered without a single shot. The French authorities left the country. The French traders and merchants could not sell anything anywhere. The Scots came, some with money, but all of them bold and daring and with every possible opportunity to trade in the whole British Empire. And so they did.

The City evolved following the modern inventions. While the fur trade was still flourishing, all kinds of trades were possible because of the British Empire. The possibility to build higher changed the look of the City. Electricity, transportation, trains, boats, they all helped to adapt the city to the changing world.

Luckily the Old Montreal Port was preserved in its original state because the city-center moved gradually to the North, mainly on Sherbrooke Street. Montrealais and tourists are thus happy to visit an environment full of yesterday life and history, partly French, partly English and a mixture of both.

ÉGLISE NOTRE-DAME MONTRÉAL.

2009-08-13T19:54:00.000-07:00

They saw great. They even hired an architect from New York, James O'Donnell. He had to build the church two or three times larger than the largest churches of America, nothing less! It was in 1823. The Notre-Dame church remained the largest religious temple in America for very long. Its constructor converted to Catholicism before dying but could not see his finished work. He is buried under the Basilica and a marble plaque indicates the place.

Notre-Dame Basilica is not the first church built on the same location. A smaller one had been erected in the center of the current Notre-Dame Street and enlarged a few times. As the population increased, it was then decided to build a larger and more beautiful construction which ended around 1830.

A chapel dedicated to Notre-Dame-du-Sacré-Coeur was added in 1891. A criminal fire destroyed it in 1978. The Church was fortunately saved. The Chapel was rebuilt in 1982 and seems very popular for the celebration of marriages.

The decoration was done in the style of the Sainte-Chapelle of Paris after 1870. The vault is decorated with gold stars. If one takes a guided tour, he will hear the guide give the exact number of stars. The stained glass windows, made in France, describe the history of Ville-Marie. The two towers are not exactly the same height. The West Tower “Perseverance” is 63 meter high while its companion “Temperance” is 61 meters. The brass “Gros Bourdon”” of the perseverance Tower weighs only 11, 263 kg and sings for special occasions. As to temperance, it houses a 10 bell carillon.

Sad or happy events happened during its history. Pope John Paul II visited it in 1984. It hosted the great international Eucharistic Congress in 1910. Celine Dion and René got married in it. Funerals of important people have been celebrated there: Sir George - Etienne Cartier, Maurice Richard, Pierre-Elliott Trudeau and other characters that marked our history.

As the church maintenance costs a lot, tourists are invited to give a donation. But when a mass is celebrated…

MONTREAL TOWN HALL

2009-08-11T06:43:00.000-07:00

Built between 1872 and 1878, we would like that it was kept as seen nowadays. Unfortunately, it has also suffered the horrors of the fire in 1922. The Firefighters so watered the building that there ensued a flood on Craig Street. Many frescoes were thus destroyed. Only the fronts as well as archives stored in the basement have been saved. It was rebuilt in the style of the City Hall of Tours in France. A fourth floor was added. Since 1926, its doors are open to the public. A certain July 24 1967, a very well known man became more famous by saying four words that produced turmoil: “Vive le Québec libre!”

In 1827 Montreal became a city. Previously, it was under appointed magistrates chosen by the Government. The first mayor was Jacques Viger whose memory is honored by a street in his name and the ancient Viger station. There were eight districts originally. Today, the city is divided into nineteen “Arrondissements”.