FRENCH UNION BUILDING - Montréal

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

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

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

440, Place Jacques-Cartier, Old Montreal

BASILIQUE-CATHEDRAL OF MONTREAL

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

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

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

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

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

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.

THE DALHOUSIE TRAIN STATION

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.