Outremont, five centuries of history:
The Origins:
Prior to the arrival of the Europeans, Algonquin tribes inhabited the island of Montreal, then called Hochelaga; since time immemorial, they used the northern side of the Mount-Royal as a trail for their hunting and gathering.
However, in 1663 the “messieurs” of Saint-Sulplice became the lords of the island, and as was common at the time, they divided it into multiple Manors (Seigneuries). By 1694, many of the lands in modern Outremont, were distributed to various lords, creating a region that would be called “Chemin de la Cote Sainte-Catherine”. Thus, the area around this newly formed region saw its forests cut down, as small farms and manors began dominating the view. Far removed from Ville-Marie (Montreal), the inhabitants of Cote-Sainte-Catherine had to travel to the nearby village of Cote Notre-Dame-des-neiges to mill their wheat, and pray at the local church. This distance helped foster a sense of autonomy and independence in the small village.
In 1832, after the British conquest, Louis-Tancrède Bouthillier built a farmhouse on land he had inherited from his father in Cote-Sainte-Catherine. It's imposing facade rapidly became the focal point of the region, and was commonly referred to as the “Outre-Mont” farm.
The British Conquest:
In the XVIIIth century, Cote-Sainte-Catherine became host to many affluent British citizens. Their presence in modern Outremont left behind a beautiful heritage in the form of public parks, remarkable buildings, and stunningly beautiful cemeteries. In addition, these new British arrivals copied British and American urbanist movements, creating laws to protect and control the quality of constructions, as well as its flora. Indeed, extensive efforts by these new arrivals saw Outremont’s greenery thrive, helping to explain why Outremont remains a particularly green borough today, lavish with trees and parks.
Among these new immigrants to the borough, was John Gray, the first president of the Bank of Montreal; and John Boston, personal advisor to the Queen.
Unfortunately, the arrival of so many rich English citizens saw many of the French families lose their farms and lands to them.
Outremont is born:
Since 1845, the various villages on the island of Montreal were united into administrative groups. As such, Cote-Sainte-Catherine was administratively linked to Cote Notre-Dame-des-Neiges, with which it shared an intimate past.
However, on February 23rd 1875, Cote-Sainte-Catherine, was reorganized into an individual municipality called: The village of Outre-Mont; in effect, separating it from the district of Cote Notre-Dame-des-Neiges and making it autonomous.
With growing responsibilities, this new municipality required its own administrative building:
• The hôtel de ville (Town Hall):
Outremont’s Hotel de Ville was constructed in 1817 and served as a farm house for Stanley Bagg. In 1875, Outremont’s village council began renting it to serve as Outre-Mont’s main administrative headquarters, and Town Hall. The acquisition of this historical building by the city council coincides with the appointment of the municipality’s first mayor: David Edward.
At the time, town meetings were held exclusively in English, not French !
Although being Outremont’s oldest building, it has received numerous extensions to accommodate the village’s growing administrative needs.
In 1963, the municipality acquired the Presbyterian church located at the back of the building, and repurposed it to serve as its meeting hall.
When Outremont became one of Montreal’s boroughs in 2002, the building lost much of its administrative importance. However, Jerome Unterberg, mayor of Outremont, commemorated this iconic building with a plaque, acknowledging its patrimonial significance.
At the time, town meetings were held exclusively in English, not French !
Although being Outremont’s oldest building, it has received numerous extensions to accommodate the village’s growing administrative needs.
In 1963, the municipality acquired the Presbyterian church located at the back of the building, and repurposed it to serve as its meeting hall.
When Outremont became one of Montreal’s boroughs in 2002, the building lost much of its administrative importance. However, Jerome Unterberg, mayor of Outremont, commemorated this iconic building with a plaque, acknowledging its patrimonial significance.
It was Louis Beaubien, a citizen of Outremont that spearheaded its municipality project. At the time, Provincial law required a locality to have fourty hearths (homes) in order to be considered a municipality; Cote-Sainte-Catherine only had thirty six. Still, Beaubien was shrewd, and after listing a few barns as individual properties, the provincial minimum was reached, and the village of Outre-Mont was born.
The XXth Century: A time for Growth.
In 1895, the municipality of the village of Outre-Mont became a city, with 1000 residents. While being extremely rural, tramways from the Park and Island Railway company connected it to Montreal ten times a day. It was a modest city, but that was about to change...
At the turn of the century, in 1915 to be precise, the city of Outre-Mont was renamed to Outremont; along with a new name, came sudden and widespread changes. World War I had brought prosperity and growth to Montreal, and our little city. In the blink of an eye, Outremont saw swaths of construction sites erected, in vast urbanization projects. Five architects spearheaded this urbanization, Charles Bernier, Zotique Trudel, Joseph Zéphirin Gauthier, Jean-Julien Perreault, et René Charbonneau. These architects were sometimes given entire blocks to design; giving Outremont its homogenous look and feel.
By 1931, Outremont had 28 691 residents, among whom 7000 Jews constituted the largest ethnic group after French Canadians.
This sprawling urbanization gave rise to three of Outremont's most iconic buildings:
• Eglise St Viateur d’Outremont:
The XXth Century: A time for Growth.
In 1895, the municipality of the village of Outre-Mont became a city, with 1000 residents. While being extremely rural, tramways from the Park and Island Railway company connected it to Montreal ten times a day. It was a modest city, but that was about to change...
At the turn of the century, in 1915 to be precise, the city of Outre-Mont was renamed to Outremont; along with a new name, came sudden and widespread changes. World War I had brought prosperity and growth to Montreal, and our little city. In the blink of an eye, Outremont saw swaths of construction sites erected, in vast urbanization projects. Five architects spearheaded this urbanization, Charles Bernier, Zotique Trudel, Joseph Zéphirin Gauthier, Jean-Julien Perreault, et René Charbonneau. These architects were sometimes given entire blocks to design; giving Outremont its homogenous look and feel.
By 1931, Outremont had 28 691 residents, among whom 7000 Jews constituted the largest ethnic group after French Canadians.
This sprawling urbanization gave rise to three of Outremont's most iconic buildings:
• Eglise St Viateur d’Outremont:
This beautiful neo-gothic church, was built in 1911, is 4278 m2, and was constructed according to the plans of Louis-Zéphirin Gauthier and Joseph-Égide-Césaire Daoust.
The church’s interior design was decorated by Guido Nincheri, famous for his numerous works in religious buildings throughout Canada.
In 1950, the church’s plaster statues were replaced with wooden ones sculpted by Médard Bourgault. They remain to this day, prized church artifacts.
The Church is equally renowned for is powerful Organ, which was built in 1913.
The church’s interior design was decorated by Guido Nincheri, famous for his numerous works in religious buildings throughout Canada.
In 1950, the church’s plaster statues were replaced with wooden ones sculpted by Médard Bourgault. They remain to this day, prized church artifacts.
The Church is equally renowned for is powerful Organ, which was built in 1913.
• Maison mère de la congrégation des sœurs des saints-noms-de-Jésus-et-de-Marie (SNJM):
Prior to 1960 and the quiet revolution, religious communities were charged with education in Quebec.
Thus, in 1843 the Sisters of “des Saints-Noms-de-Jesus-et-de-Marie (SNJM) which was founded in Longueil (Quebec, Canada) by Eulalie-Mélanie Durocher, Mélodie Durfresne, and Henriette Céré de la Colombière, ever since, it has trained thousands of educators.
In 1860, the sisters of the congregation moved to Montreal. Several years later, in 1892, they bought a piece of land in Outremont, flanking the Mont-Royal. In 1925, thanks to the efforts of the entrepreneur Ulric Boileau, and the plans of the architects Viau and Venne, construction began on the immense building which can still be seen today.
The latter served as the congregation’s home base until 1972. After which, they relocated to Pierrefonds. By 1923, the congregation had existed for 79 years, had 103 establishments in Canada, and 63 in the United States. Among its ranks, included 2095 professed nuns, 141 novices, 98 applicants, and over 49000 students (Rumilly, 1975, p. 216).
Thus, in 1843 the Sisters of “des Saints-Noms-de-Jesus-et-de-Marie (SNJM) which was founded in Longueil (Quebec, Canada) by Eulalie-Mélanie Durocher, Mélodie Durfresne, and Henriette Céré de la Colombière, ever since, it has trained thousands of educators.
In 1860, the sisters of the congregation moved to Montreal. Several years later, in 1892, they bought a piece of land in Outremont, flanking the Mont-Royal. In 1925, thanks to the efforts of the entrepreneur Ulric Boileau, and the plans of the architects Viau and Venne, construction began on the immense building which can still be seen today.
The latter served as the congregation’s home base until 1972. After which, they relocated to Pierrefonds. By 1923, the congregation had existed for 79 years, had 103 establishments in Canada, and 63 in the United States. Among its ranks, included 2095 professed nuns, 141 novices, 98 applicants, and over 49000 students (Rumilly, 1975, p. 216).
However, Outremont's rapid expansion would not last. By 1945, the city had reached its peak, and growth began to stagnate. Constructions became rarer, and its population plateaued. To offset these negative changes, the city's residents pressued it to alleviate some of its construction laws; resulting in the construction of Outremont's first multistory apartment buildings. Still, these new appartement complexes would be limited to specific areas of the city: namely the corners of Chemin de la Cote -Sainte-Catherine and Laurier, as well as Rockland and Ducharme.
Unfortunately, to accommodate these new constructions, historically careless developers destroyed some of Outremont's most historically valuable patrimony.
It was during this time that Outremont saw one of its most iconic buildings rise: The Outremont Theater.
• Theatre Outremont:
The Outremont Theatre was designed by architect René Charbonneau, and was inaugurated in 1929. It was one of the first movie theaters to project silent films in 35mm. Music-hall spectacles were often presented between movies, forcing the architects to design a center stage much like in traditional play theaters. As it stands, the Outremont Theater was one of the most beautiful buildings in the city to bear witness to the golden age of Cinema.
Although, this iconic establishment was closed in the late 80’s; thanks to the commitment of Outremont’s inhabitants, the theater was reacquired by the borough in the late 90’s, renovated, and reopened on March 20th, 2001. Ever since, the theater has played host to numerous activities, including musical and theatrical performances.
In the fall of 2014, the Outremont Theater became a municipal building; the first of its kind in Montreal.
Although, this iconic establishment was closed in the late 80’s; thanks to the commitment of Outremont’s inhabitants, the theater was reacquired by the borough in the late 90’s, renovated, and reopened on March 20th, 2001. Ever since, the theater has played host to numerous activities, including musical and theatrical performances.
In the fall of 2014, the Outremont Theater became a municipal building; the first of its kind in Montreal.
Outremont Today:
On Januray 1st 2002, the city of Outremont was fused to the city of Montreal, becoming one of its numerous boroughs. As a result, it lost much of its historical independence and autonomy.
Today, Outremont is one of Montreal's most recognizable boroughs. Residential neighborhoods that combine historical houses with newer apartment complexes, alongside vibrant greenery and public parks; key avenues such as Bernard, Van Horne, and Laurier play host to small businesses, cafés and Bistros.
One could easily spend a day walking around this beautiful borough, exploring its distinct and rich history, all the while stopping at one of it's iconic avenues for something to eat or drink.
On Januray 1st 2002, the city of Outremont was fused to the city of Montreal, becoming one of its numerous boroughs. As a result, it lost much of its historical independence and autonomy.
Today, Outremont is one of Montreal's most recognizable boroughs. Residential neighborhoods that combine historical houses with newer apartment complexes, alongside vibrant greenery and public parks; key avenues such as Bernard, Van Horne, and Laurier play host to small businesses, cafés and Bistros.
One could easily spend a day walking around this beautiful borough, exploring its distinct and rich history, all the while stopping at one of it's iconic avenues for something to eat or drink.
References:
Bouthillier, Louis-Tancrède. Retrieved November 29, 2017, from http://www.patrimoine-culturel.gouv.qc.ca/rpcq/detail.do?methode=consulter&id=13426&type=pge#.Wh7hQUriZdg
Croteau, A., Bumbaru, D., & Jasmin, C. (2000). Outremont, 1875-2000. Outremont, Québec: Société d’histoire dOutremont.
Eglise St Viateur d'Outremont. Retrieved November 25, 2017, from http://www.saintviateurdoutremont.org/?page_id=38
Historique – Theatre Outremont - Retrieved November 24, 2017, from http://www.theatreoutremont.ca/fr/le-theatre/historique-et-mission/
Histoire d'Outremont. Retrieved November 24, 2017, from http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/portal/page?_pageid=8517%2C95592134&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL
Jerome Unterberg’s commemorative plaque found in front of the Hotel de Ville of Outremont
Rumilly, R. (1975). Histoire dOutremont: 1875-1975. Montréal: Leméac.
Soeurs de SNJM. Retrieved November 24, 2017, from http://histoire-du-quebec.ca/soeurs-saints-noms/
Société d’histoire d’Outremont. Retrieved November 25, 2017, from http://histoireoutremont.org/histoire-doutremont/
Credits:
all modern photos were taken by Serge Dakkach.