Place Shamrock, le 12 juillet 2014 © Arrondissement de Rosemont- La Petite-Patrie
Crédits photos : (1) Blink O'fanaye,(2) Luc Bussieres, (3)Gav Martel, (4)Arrondissement de Rosemont La Petite-Patrie
Neighborhood La Petite-Patrie
The villages of Cote-de-la-Visitation and Côte-Saint-Louis
It was in 1707 that the Sulpicians, lords of Montreal and owners of the unceded lands of the Haudenosanee (Iroquois), began to give up land, so-called " côtes ", out of the city. Indeed, after the Great Peace of Montreal, some settlers left the old city to settle elsewhere on the island, now safer. The territory that interests us was then called Côte-de-la-Visitation and Côte-Saint-Louis. There, settled landowners whose names are now familiar to the inhabitants of the neighborhood, such as Beaubien, Molson, or Boyer. We are then in the countryside.
From village to working class neighborhood
Starting in the first half of the 19th century, the territory's economic activity became more complex with the exploitation of limestone deposits, the famous "gray stone" of Montreal. Quarries employed many workers, known as "black feet", who settle near their place of work.
However, the event that will upset the urban landscape of this sector is the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway at the end of the 19th century. Indeed, with the arrival of the railroad, industries will develop around the railway, including the "shops" Angus where precisely, trains were made. Employing 3,000 workers at its opening, it quickly grew to 5,000 and even 12,000 throughout the Second World War, this factory was the neighborhood's flagship industry. Later, taking advantage of the railway’s presence, many industries would open nearby. For example, the lumberyard L. Villeneuve (the oldest in Montreal), the Catelli pasta factory, or the Coca-Cola plant.
By 1910, agricultural workers were now a minority, supplanted by workers. In addition, more and more people were moving into the sector, attracted by the abundance of jobs and cheap land. This will particularly be the case for Italian immigrants who were beginning to migrate in large numbers to this part of the city, so much so, that soon it would be referred to as small-Italy. They would come to join inhabitants of Scottish, and French-Canadian origin. Thus, in just 20 years, the village has disappeared, and the city had spread. By the turn of the century, the territory was annexed to the city of Montreal and became the Saint-Édouard district.
A neighborhood life
alongside urban development, the district saw the birth of its first parishes. Thus, following the church of St. Edward (1909) and the Italian church Notre-Dame-de-la-Defense (1918), dozens of other places of worship would be born. Residents of the neighborhood would no longer have to travel for miles to visit the churches they frequented south of the railway line.
During the economic crisis, several major projects were organized to provide work to the unemployed. It is in that context that the neighborhood would be endowed with several infrastructures that are still part of the urban landscape today, such as the Jean-Talon market or the barracks 31. Public baths and cinemas were also built during this time. In the 1940s and 1950s, the old quarries were transformed into municipal parks.
In addition, commerce was booming in this part of the city, particularly on Saint-Hubert Street. There were shops that are still there in 2017, including the theater Plaza (1922), the Lozeau photo shop (1927), the raffin bookstore (1930), Labelle Furs (1947) or the king of smoke meat (1954), a testament to the loyalty of the customers of the district and the passion of the tradesmen. It was in 1954 that the merchants of the rue Saint-Hubert decided to group to form an association, they were the Plaza’s glory days. Throughout the following decade, it became the second most important commercial street in the city, behind Sainte-Catherine Street.
La Petite-Patrie
"La Petite-Patrie" officially became the neighborhood's name in 1989. the name derives from a 1972 novel by Claude Jasmin that tells of his childhood in the Saint-Édouard neighborhood. The inhabitants of La Petite-Patrie can be proud of their neighborhood’s heritage.
Crédits photos : (1) Laba M., (2 et 3) Arrondissement de Rosemont La Petite-Patrie, (4) Centre d'histoire de Montréal, photo de Scott Robert Collins
A small walking tour of La Petite-Patrie
The rôtisserie Saint-Hubert BarBQ
Almost everyone in Quebec knows of the Saint-Hubert BarBQ franchise. Indeed, the melody "Dring, dring, dring, what do you want ... pout! pout! pout! Saint-Hubert barbecue! "Thought of by François Dompierre in 1960 has followed generations, and is definitely hard to forget! Despite this, many people do not know his story.
Visitors to the restaurant at 6355 rue Saint-Hubert in Montreal will notice the plaque clearly visible on the door of the restaurant "since 1951". It is indeed on this street that the Léger family will open its first eponymous rotisserie. An institution that will flourish, thanks to the free home delivery service (the first in Canada), provided by their fleet of yellow ladybugs since 1952. In 1967, the rotisserie will even be part of the World’s fair where it would receive on average 16000 clients. That is the year that the company expanded beyond the area of Montreal and opened its doors to the Quebec City area. The 100th branch opened on December 10, 2008. St-Hubert serves more than 31 million meals a year.
Almost everyone in Quebec knows of the Saint-Hubert BarBQ franchise. Indeed, the melody "Dring, dring, dring, what do you want ... pout! pout! pout! Saint-Hubert barbecue! "Thought of by François Dompierre in 1960 has followed generations, and is definitely hard to forget! Despite this, many people do not know his story.
Visitors to the restaurant at 6355 rue Saint-Hubert in Montreal will notice the plaque clearly visible on the door of the restaurant "since 1951". It is indeed on this street that the Léger family will open its first eponymous rotisserie. An institution that will flourish, thanks to the free home delivery service (the first in Canada), provided by their fleet of yellow ladybugs since 1952. In 1967, the rotisserie will even be part of the World’s fair where it would receive on average 16000 clients. That is the year that the company expanded beyond the area of Montreal and opened its doors to the Quebec City area. The 100th branch opened on December 10, 2008. St-Hubert serves more than 31 million meals a year.
The bain Saint-Denis
The first public bathhouse in Montreal opened in 1901 and many will be built during the economic crisis to give work to the unemployed. Originally, the reason for these baths was public hygiene. Indeed, at a time when most Montrealers had neither hot water nor bathtubs, they were a solution to a serious public health problem. From the 1930s, when private houses began having bathrooms, they gradually lost their original role to become places of leisure and sport instead. At first mostly used by men, the baths would increasingly become popular with women and children, officially becoming mixed in 1978.
Bath Saint-Denis, built in 1910, is part of the first wave of construction of covered public baths and is one of the first to be heated (as evidenced by its long fireplace). Bath Saint Denis is one of eleven public baths that have been saved and seven baths that have kept the same vocation. Indeed, it is today a municipal swimming pool.
The first public bathhouse in Montreal opened in 1901 and many will be built during the economic crisis to give work to the unemployed. Originally, the reason for these baths was public hygiene. Indeed, at a time when most Montrealers had neither hot water nor bathtubs, they were a solution to a serious public health problem. From the 1930s, when private houses began having bathrooms, they gradually lost their original role to become places of leisure and sport instead. At first mostly used by men, the baths would increasingly become popular with women and children, officially becoming mixed in 1978.
Bath Saint-Denis, built in 1910, is part of the first wave of construction of covered public baths and is one of the first to be heated (as evidenced by its long fireplace). Bath Saint Denis is one of eleven public baths that have been saved and seven baths that have kept the same vocation. Indeed, it is today a municipal swimming pool.
The Syrian Orthodox Churches Saint-Nicolas et Saint-Georges
Less than a kilometer apart, there are the two Syrian Orthodox churches in Montreal: Saint-Nicholas Church (1954) on Saint-Dominique Street and Saint-Georges Church (1940), on Jean-Talon.
The Syrian Orthodox community has a history dating back to long before the construction of these churches. The parish of St. Nicholas of Antioch is the first Syrian Orthodox community in Canada. In fact, the first St. Nicholas Church (1910) is the first religious building built by a community from the Mashriq region (Middle East). It was then on Notre-Dame Street East, at the corner of Berri. At the time, the Notre-Dame section between Saint-Laurent and Berri was called "little Syria" simply because of the high concentration of shops, homes and restaurants from that region of the world. Due to the commercial decline and the gradual displacement of Syrians, the church would move in 1949. In 1954, the present church was inaugurated.
Less than a kilometer apart, there are the two Syrian Orthodox churches in Montreal: Saint-Nicholas Church (1954) on Saint-Dominique Street and Saint-Georges Church (1940), on Jean-Talon.
The Syrian Orthodox community has a history dating back to long before the construction of these churches. The parish of St. Nicholas of Antioch is the first Syrian Orthodox community in Canada. In fact, the first St. Nicholas Church (1910) is the first religious building built by a community from the Mashriq region (Middle East). It was then on Notre-Dame Street East, at the corner of Berri. At the time, the Notre-Dame section between Saint-Laurent and Berri was called "little Syria" simply because of the high concentration of shops, homes and restaurants from that region of the world. Due to the commercial decline and the gradual displacement of Syrians, the church would move in 1949. In 1954, the present church was inaugurated.
Casa d’italia
At the northern gate of Little Italy, on 505 rue Jean-Talon, you will find Casa d’Italia, the hub for Italian culture in Montreal. In addition to being a common cultural center, as can be found throughout Montreal, the Casa d’Italia played a specific role in the conversation of patrimony, and the value of Montreal’s material and immaterial Italian immigration heritage.
From the beginning of the 1930s, community leaders wanted to give the Italian community a public institution where they could gather and celebrate their culture and start to raise funds among their compatriots to carry out this project. In total, more than 4,200 organizations and individuals will have contributed to its funding. Subsequently, in 1934, the City of Montreal, under mayor Camilien Houde, gave away the land located between Berri Street and Jean Talon where the building was built. The architect in charge of the design, Pasquale (Patsy) Colangelo, chose the art deco style, in vogue at that time. The Casa d'Italia opened in November 1936.
During the Second World War, the Italians of Montreal were suspected of being sympathizers of fascism and therefore closely watched by the authorities. As a precaution, they decided to close the Casa D'Italia in 1940, which will be reopened seven years later to the delight of the Italian community. However, the community is not at the end of its sentence, about twenty years later, the survival of the casa d'Italia is still threatened, this time by the construction of a metro. Finally, the latter’s construction plans would spare it.
The marché Jean-Talon
The North Market (appellation until 1982) opened its doors on May 27, 1933 on the grounds of the former Irish Lacrosse club, the Shamrock. Its construction was part of a large public works project to give work to the unemployed. It awnsers to a growing population’s demands, particularly because of the Italian immigration in this sector. As evidenced by the fact that it will quickly be Montreal’s busiest market.
Although its name has changed, and has since expanded, the Jean-Talon market has not changed much. With one exception, today it is forbidden to sell animals ... alive!
The North Market (appellation until 1982) opened its doors on May 27, 1933 on the grounds of the former Irish Lacrosse club, the Shamrock. Its construction was part of a large public works project to give work to the unemployed. It awnsers to a growing population’s demands, particularly because of the Italian immigration in this sector. As evidenced by the fact that it will quickly be Montreal’s busiest market.
Although its name has changed, and has since expanded, the Jean-Talon market has not changed much. With one exception, today it is forbidden to sell animals ... alive!
The Château
Witness to the first steps of cinema in Montreal, built in 1931, the Château Theater is the result of the work of René Charbonneau (architect) and Emmanuel Briffa (decorator). The Château is another example of the Art Deco heritage of Petite-Patrie. Its history is closely linked to that of Théâtre Outremont since the two designers, as well as the owner, Mr. Abraham Lawand are the same for these two theaters. Abraham Lawand belongs to one of the first Lebanese families to settle in Montreal. His company, Confederation Amusement Limited, is responsible for the construction and administration of six cinemas in Montreal from 1920s to the 1940s.
Cinema and theater for nearly 50 years, the Château was bought in 1989 by the Christian Center of Montreal. Thus, it is used today as a place of worship. Considered one of the best preserved and architecturally interesting cinemas, the building has been classified as a historical monument since 2002.
Witness to the first steps of cinema in Montreal, built in 1931, the Château Theater is the result of the work of René Charbonneau (architect) and Emmanuel Briffa (decorator). The Château is another example of the Art Deco heritage of Petite-Patrie. Its history is closely linked to that of Théâtre Outremont since the two designers, as well as the owner, Mr. Abraham Lawand are the same for these two theaters. Abraham Lawand belongs to one of the first Lebanese families to settle in Montreal. His company, Confederation Amusement Limited, is responsible for the construction and administration of six cinemas in Montreal from 1920s to the 1940s.
Cinema and theater for nearly 50 years, the Château was bought in 1989 by the Christian Center of Montreal. Thus, it is used today as a place of worship. Considered one of the best preserved and architecturally interesting cinemas, the building has been classified as a historical monument since 2002.
References
- DELAGRAVE Louis, et Marie BRISEBOIS. Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie, il y a longtemps que je t’aime, Éditions Histoire Québec, 2017, 150 pages
- LABONNE, Paul. "Montréal à l’heure des bains", Continuité, Numéro 69, été 1996, p. 9-10
(en ligne) https://www.erudit.org/fr/revues/continuite/1996-n69-continuite1055153/17191ac.pdf - LECLERC, Jean-François (dir.). Promenades historiques à Montréal, les Éditions du Journal, 2016, 240 pages.
- ROBERT, Mario. Chronique Montréalité no 15 – Le marché Jean-Talon, 13 octobre 2014 (en ligne) http://archivesdemontreal.com/2014/10/13/chronique-montrealite-no-15-le-marche-jean-talon/
- ROBERT, Mario. Chronique Montréalité no 22 – La Plaza Saint-Hubert, 28 novembre 2014 (en ligne) http://archivesdemontreal.com/2014/11/28/chronique-montrealite-no-22-la-plaza-saint-hubert/
- Casa d'Italia Montréal, "Une brève histoire de la Casa d'Italia" (en ligne) http://casaditalia.org/fr/histoire
- St-Hubert, 2013, http://www.st-hubert.com/entreprise/historique/annees-1950.fr.html
- Centre d'histoire de Montréal, "Prendre un bain aux bains", 20 janvier 2016, (en ligne) https://ville.montreal.qc.ca/memoiresdesmontrealais/prendre-un-bain-aux-bains
- Grand répertoire du patrimoine bâti de Montréal, "Cinéma le Château" (en ligne) http://patrimoine.ville.montreal.qc.ca/inventaire/fiche_bat.php?batiment=oui&lignes=25&id_bat=9543-99-8506-01
- Centre d'histoire de Montréal, "La rue Notre-Dame Est, une Petite-Syrie au début du siècle", 19 janvier 2016 (en ligne) https://ville.montreal.qc.ca/memoiresdesmontrealais/la-rue-notre-dame-est-une-petite-syrie-au-debut-du-siecle
- Héritage Montréal, Montréal en quartiers, Quartiers Petite-Patrie et Petite-Italie http://www.memorablemontreal.com/swf/?lang=fr