History of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Québec, Canada

In 1694 Jean-Baptiste de Rouville was granted the seigneury of Mont Saint-Hilaire.
However, settlement did not begin there until 1745 and the first mill, a symbol of colonization, was erected along the stream that flows from the mountain in 1750. A little later, in 1768, the chemin de la Montagne was route and orchards are planted there.
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Around 1797, the Seigneurie de Rouville was divided into two parishes, that of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, with an area of ​​17,529 arpents square, and that of Saint-Hilaire with 11,557 square acres.

http://www.msjb.qc.ca/decouvrir-saint-jean-baptiste/histoire/

1799 - Église de Saint-Hilaire established at Saint-Hilaire

www.gcatholic.org

A large cross was erected in 1822 on the Pain de Sucre, the summit of the mountain which has become a place of pilgrimage.

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1832 - The Parish of St. Hilaire (seigniory Rouville),
belongs to Mr. Rouville, and the church stands in front of Mount Rouville. The parish of St. Jean de Baptiste is s. of the Mount and its church is nearly in the rear of it. It has a village containing 25 houses. This parish is more numerously settled than that of St. Hilaire.

St. Hilaire Statistics
Population 1036
Churches, R.C. 1
Presbyteries 1
A Topographical Dictionary of The Province of Lower Canada by Joseph Bouchette, Esq., London, 1832

The development of Saint-Hilaire materialized in 1848 with the construction of the railway bridge over the Richelieu by the Saint-Lawrence and Atlantic Railway and the arrival of the railway.
Then, new mills are built, as well as a distillery, three tanneries, two forges and a foundry.
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The famous "Café Campbell" which was erected in 1851 on the shores of Lac Hertel by Mr. Thomas Campbell, attracted many Montreal tourists for ten years, until a major fire destroyed the building.

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1864 - June 29 - St-Hilaire Train Disaster
The St-Hilaire train disaster was a railroad disaster that occurred on June 29, 1864, near the present-day town of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Quebec. The train, which had been carrying many German and Polish immigrants, failed to acknowledge a stop signal and fell through an open swing bridge into the Richelieu River. Though uncertain, the widely accepted death toll is 99 persons. The disaster remains the worst railway accident in Canadian history.
Wikipedia
June 29, 1864

1873
MONT ST. HILAIRE, a post village in Rouville co., Que., 3½ miles from St. Hilaire Station. It contains a Roman Catholic church, 2 carding mills, a flax mill, a saw mill, and 2 stores. Pop. 200.
Lovell's gazetteer of British North America; J. Lovell; Montreal, 1873

1873 - St Hilaire Village
ST HILAIRE VILLAGE, a thriving post village in Rouville co , Que.,on the River Richeheu, 4 mile from St Hilaire Station It contains a church, a convent, an academy, a brewery and several stores Pop 300.
Lovell's gazetteer of British North America; J. Lovell; Montreal, 1873

1895 - Mont Saint Hilaire
Mont Saint Hilaire, a post-village in Rouville co., Quebec, 34 miles from St. Hilaire Station. It contains a Roman Catholic church, 2 carding-mills, a flax-mill, a saw-mill, and 2 stores. Pop. 200.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1906
Saint Hilaire Village, a post-village of Rouville co., Quebec, on the river Richelieu, half a mile from St. Hilaire Station on the Grand Trunk R., 24 miles from Montreal. It has a convent, academy, etc.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

1912 - Saint-Hilaire municipal incorporation

www.werelate.org

In 1936, a huge orchard consisting of 60 thousand apple trees was planted there and served as a source of income for the city for a long time.

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In 1958, Mont Saint-Hilaire became the property of McGill University and was designated a “Migratory Bird Refuge”.

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1963 - (St. Hilaire) 30 Mar 1963, name changed to Saint-Hilaire-sur-Richelieu, and designation changed from village to city

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1966 - (St. Hilaire) - 18 Mar 1966, name changed to Mont-Saint-Hilaire

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Mont-Saint-Hilaire
Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Qué, Town, pop 15 720 (2006c), 14 270 (2001c), inc 1966. Mont-Saint-Hilaire is located about 35 km east from MONTRÉAL on the Rivière RICHELIEU opposite BELOEIL. Cosily nestled between Mont Saint-Hilaire, the highest of the Monteregian Hills (411 m), and the Rivière Richelieu, Mont-Saint-Hilaire was created out of the merger of the original village of Saint-Hilaire (1855) with the town of Mont-Saint-Hilaire (1950). The name recalls Saint-Hilaire, Bishop of Poitiers (315-67), who was made famous for his stand against Arianism.

History
This area, part of the seigneury granted to Jean-Baptiste Hertel de Rouville in 1694, was sufficiently settled at the end of the 18th century to warrant the creation of a mission church, Saint-Hilaire. In 1844, the seigneury was sold to Major Thomas Edmund Campbell, who invested a great deal in the development of his domain, transforming the old manor house into a fine Tudor-style mansion, building a grist mill (Guérin House) and... Read MORE...

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in and around Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Québec:
Mont Saint-Hilaire: The star attraction of the area is Mont Saint-Hilaire itself. This mountain is part of the Monteregian Hills and is known for its hiking trails, offering varying levels of difficulty. The most popular trail is the Dieppe Trail, which leads to a breathtaking viewpoint at the summit. It's an ideal spot for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Centre de la Nature: This park is a fantastic place to take a leisurely stroll, have a picnic, or simply relax in a natural setting. The park features ponds, walking paths, and gardens, making it perfect for a day of relaxation and family fun.

Havre Familial: If you're traveling with your family, Havre Familial is a great spot to enjoy outdoor activities. They offer kayaking, paddleboarding, and hiking trails. The area also has a beach for swimming and plenty of picnic spots.

La Roulotte: For a taste of local flavor, head to La Roulotte. This food truck serves up delicious poutine, a classic Quebecois dish, among... Read MORE...