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.