| |
|
History |
| History |
| |
| History of Châteauguay |
| |
| |
Samuel de Champlain explored and charted the region in early 17th Century, but it's not until September 29, 1673 that the first signs of colonisation appeared when the governor of New France, Comte de Frontenac, granted the Seigniory of Châteauguay to Charles Le Moyne, Sieur de Longueuil. |
| |
| In 1683, Le Moyne decided to have a fortified manor built at the entrance of his Seigniory on Saint-Bernard Island. Known as "the Chasteau", two families and six other persons lived in the manor. According to historian Léon Laberge, Châteaugay was named after a commune in France in the department of Puy-du-Dôme. |
| |
| In 1685, the war intensified with the result that the population began to settle outside Saint-Bernard Island. |
| |
| In 1765, the Seigniory was acquired by the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre-Dame (the Gray Nuns) who played an active part in its development. In addition to providing for education, the Sisters opened a bakery and encouraged local agriculture. They remained Seigniors of the estate until 1854, year of the abolition of the feudal regime. |
| |
| In 1775, the parish built its church, the Saint-Joachim church. However, it took two years before the community could get their first permanent priest, Jean-Baptiste Dumouchel. A local landmark, the church is now classified as a historic monument by the Commission des affaires culturelles et patrimoniales du Québec. |
| |
The people of Châteauguay are righteously proud of it. For instance: I was sitting at a meeting of the Bicentennial Celebrations committee and we were talking about decorating the church for the events. Someone said: "Let's not decorate it too much! Our old church will be, as it is, the most beautiful ornament for the celebrations."
Reverend Elie-J. Auclair of the Royal Society of Canada |
| |
| Châteauguay was an outpost for the British army. On October 26, 1813, the Battle of Châteauguay was fought on the shores of the Châteauguay River, 50 km southwest of Montreal, near the U.S.-Canada border. Charles-Michel de Salaberry and his troops of 300 men won an important victory over the invading American forces. |
| |
| From 1815 to 1836, the French and the British were deeply divided and the political tensions led to the rebellions of 1837-38. Two patriots from Châteauguay, Narcisse Cardinal and Joseph Duquette, marched on the village to steal arms and ammunitions from the merchant, John McDonald, and to take the loyalists prisoners. However, Findlay managed to escape to Lachine through Kahnawake to warn Colborne. In the mean time, the Patriots walked to Kahnawake to enquire about the disposition of the Iroquois, who requested the Patriots left their arms outside to parley. A stratagem they used to seize the Patriots who they later took to the Montreal garrison. Cardinal and Duquette were hung and the others were condemned to exile. |
| |
| In early 1900s, Châteauguay developed into an important centre for agriculture and lumber industry. In 1912, the part of the village known as the "pond" incorporated as Châteauguay-Ville and after 1960, the Municipality Parish St-Joachim de Châteauguay became Châteauguay-Centre. In 1975, the two communities amalgamated into the actual Châteauguay. |
| |
| Manor d'Youville |
| The manor was transformed a few times through history. First built (1674-1675) under Charles Le Moyne de Longueuil, it was enlarged in 1881 and the roof was also changed for a French roof at the request of Mother Deschamps. This splendid site has been owned by the congregation for more than two centuries. Visitors are welcome, alone or in a group. |
| |
| Mill of Saint-Bernard Island |
| We can still find the masonry tower of one of the oldest windmill in North America, the last architectural feature of 1688 still visible today. |
| |
| Town House |
| Built in 1911 for the Congregation Notre-Dame, this second convent was used as a place of education until 1965, and as a residence for the sisters until 1972. Châteauguay-Centre acquired the historic building in 1973 and converted it into the city hall. In 1995, a fire destroyed the building, but it was rebuilt during the winter and inaugurated on July 1st, 1997. |
| |
|
|
