History of Lachine, Montréal, Québec, Canada

1535 - October 2 - Jacques Cartier
visits the Iroquois town of Hochelaga; legend says he proclaimed "What a royal mountain," ("Quel Mont Royal (Mont Réal!)"; visits rapids at the head of navigation and calls them La Chine (China); local natives tell him of rapids and rivers to the west, and of mines of gold and copper; a priest blesses the Indian sick.

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Read more about Jacques CARTIER

1676 - established
Lachine, originally named Saint-Sulpice, was a vast domain granted to Robert Cavelier de La Salle to colonize and cultivate the land. Instead, Cavelier, like Cartier before him, tried to find a passage to Asia, and Saint-Sulpice was derisively renamed La Chine (French for China). The name became official in 1676 when the parish of Saints-Anges-de-Lachine was created.
ville.montreal.qc.ca

1678 - Église des Saints-Anges de Lachine established at Lachine

www.gcatholic.org

1689 - Attacked by Iroquois - Lachine Massacre
On the night of August 4-5, 1689, nearly 1,500 Iroquois warriors crossed the St. Lawrence at Lake St. Louis, its widest point in the Montreal area. On the opposite shore, the inhabitants of the hamlet of Lachine were sleeping peacefully. Because of torrential rain, they didn't hear the enemy prowling around their houses. At daybreak, the attack was launched. It was terrible and pitiless. After killing the men, who were valiantly defending their homes and families, the Iroquois burned the farms. The prisoners were tortured, with the bellies of pregnant women cut open and tiny children skewered, roasted, and eaten.

In the following days and weeks, the Iroquois "did everything that rage could inspire in a fierce nation that felt outraged," Baron de La Hontan wrote. Governor Frontenac, who had just replaced the Marquis de Denonville as head of the colony, got his fill of frightening tales from that night of horror. "It would be hard to convey to you," he wrote to his minister, "the... Read MORE...

1719-20 – Maison Jean-Gabriel Picard (5430 boulevard Saint-Joseph, Lachine) built. It is one of Lachine's two oldest houses.

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Read more about Jean-Gabriel PICARD

1817 - July 17 - Construction begins on the Lachine Canal; completed eight years later.

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1821 - July 2 - Lower Canada takes over Lachine Canal building from private company

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1823 - Blown Away
On Tuesday last, a labourer on the Lachine Canal, having lighted the train to a hole filled with powder for blasting a rock, the charge did not immediately explode, and he approached to examine the train. While standing directly over the hole the charge went off, and blew him into the air, bruised him in a terrible manner. He died immediately.
Connecticut Gazette
Connecticut
October 8, 1823

1825 - 700 Irish Arrive
Montreal, June 18. - On Thursday the Lady Sherbrook and Quebec steam boats brought from Quebec about 700 Irish emigrants, sent out by Government. Without being permitted to enter the town the proceeded immediately to Lachine, to be conveyed by water to their destination in Upper Canada. So large a body of emigrants may easily be supposed to have presented a very motly appearance, but it is matter of great satisfaction that so numerous a class of destitute persons are brought to the country under the superintendance of government, who will not permit them to want for any necessary comforts, instead of being permitted to land on our shores naked and destitute, without any plan to govern their future conduct as emigrants, or funds to establish them on a respectable footing in the country. This seems to be the true system of emigration, and that alone which can advance the prosperity of the country, and the happiness of the emigrants themselves.
Alexandria Gazette
Alexandria, Virginia
June 28, 1825

1832 - The Parish of Lachine,
by a regulation made Sept. 20, 1721, confirmed by an Order in Council, Mar. 3, 1722, comprises 2 3/ 4 leagues along the St. Lawrence from Cote des Argoulets to Pointe Claire, part of Cote St. Paul, and half of two ranges in Cote de Notre Dame des Vertus. All the lands are conceded, and some previously to 1759. The rent of each farm is 10s. and half a bushel of wheat for every 20 arpents. The greatest extent held by any one tenant is 245 arpents. - The Lachine canal is of vast utility in connecting the navigation above Sault St. Louis with the port of Montreal; it is an ornament to the island and attracts numerous visitors.

Population 1410
Churches, R.C. 1
Cures 1
Presbyteries 1
Villages 1
Corn-mills 1
Carding-mills 1
Fulling-mills 1
Saw-mills 1

Name of church - Des Saintes
A Topographical Dictionary of The Province of Lower Canada by Joseph Bouchette, Esq., London, 1832

1835 - Anglican parish of Saint Stephen established at Lachine

Le Programme de recherche en démographie historique - Univeriste de Montreal

1842 - DEPLORABLE ACCIDENT AND LOSS OF LIFE.
It is our painful duty to announce a calamity unprecedented in extent in British North America, which occurred on our waters on Sunday Inst.

The steamer Shamrock left the Canal Basin at Montreal on Friday evening, and the Locks at Lachine early on Saturday morning, having in tow three barges, two empty and one partially laden. She carried no cargo besides the luggage of passengers, whose number, we understand, amounted to 120 souls. About 11 o'clock, when the steamer had proceeded about five miles from Lachine, her boiler exploded, scattering death and destruction. So sudden were the effects, that in less than five minutes, 62 human beings were precipitated into eternity.

The passengers were English, Irish, Scotch emigrants, but principally English, and were distributed at the time of the accident, nearly as follows:
The English, in number about sixty-five, exclusively occupied the bow of the vessel.

The Irish and Scotch occupied the stern.
In the cabin were three English... Read MORE...

1859
MONTREAL, an island of Lower Canada, at the confluence of the Grand Ottawa river with the St. Lawrence, 580 m. from the mouth of the latter river. It is of a triangular shape, 32 m. long, by from 5 to 10 1/ 2 m. broad. The Riveres-des-Prairies separates it on the NW from Isle Jesus, which is 21 m. long, and 6 m. wide, and is connected with it by a wooden bridge. The island forms the county of M., and is divided into the 9 parishes of St. Ann, St. Genevieve, Pointe-Claire, La Chine, Sault-au-Recollet, St. Laurent, Rivieres-des-Prairies, Pointe-aux-Trembles, and Longue Pointe...

A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Volume 5
Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859

1859
CHINE (La). or LACHINE, a village of Lower Canada, on the N side of the rapid called the Sault-Saint-Louis, 8 m. from Montreal. The rapid is overcome by the canal of La Chine, extending from the v. to the city of Montreal, which is 9 m. in length, but has a depth of 5 ft. only.
A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859

1862 - April 14 - Ice dam causes St Lawrence River rapidly to overflow its banks, inundating one-quarter of Lachine and old Montreal with river water 24 feet deep.

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1873
LACHINE, an incorporated town in Jacques Cartier co., Que., on Lake St. Louis, and on the G. T. R., (Province Line division,) 8 .miles from Montreal. It is the summer residence of many Montrealers, and a favorite resort of pleasure parties during the winter. It contains a large tannery, two telegraph agencies, a convent, several stores, a brewery, hotels, churches, schools.
Lovell's gazetteer of British North America; J. Lovell; Montreal, 1873

1876 - Fatal Fire at Lachine, Quebec.
LACHINE, July 21. - A large building used by Mr. Stouge for boat-building, burned last night, with boats of the Lachine Boating Club and several steam and sailing yachts. A child of the proprietor perished in the flames, and two mean endeavoring to save their tools were so badly burned they died this morning. Loss, $50,000.
Cincinnati Daily Enquirer
Cincinnati, Ohio
July 22, 1876

1881 - Chief Joseph Onaskeurat Dies
Joseph Onaskeurat, chief of the tribe of Oka Indians, who died the other day near the Lachine Rapids, Province of Quebec, was one of the most distinguished red men of the present century, though he had only completed his thirty-fifth year last September. He was a leader of the Protestant Indians in their fierce conflict with their Catholic neighbors, about three years ago, in which the Protestants were charged, falsely, as Joseph always affirmed with burning down the Catholic Church. He was a fine looking man, speaking French and English as well as Iroquois. He translated the New Testament into the last named language, and many hymns, and at the time of his death was preparing a version of the rest of the Scriptures. Hew as also a popular preacher among his brethren and other aboriginal tribes. He had the boldness and determination which fitted him for leadership, and his loss will be greatly felt throughout Eastern Canada.
Cincinnati Daily Gazette
Cincinnati, Ohio
February 10, 1881

1882-84 - Lachine
...From the wharf at Montreal we take the steamer which is to carry us up the Ottawa to our destination at the Capital. We proceed for the first eight and a half miles along the Lachine Canal amid scenery tranquil and uneventful as that of a Dutch village. Along the level banks are occasional trees and houses, whose general appearance is scarcely such as to indicate the neighbourhood of Canada's wealthiest city. Before us the canal extends mathematically straight, for the most part on a higher level than the surrounding fields, so that sometimes we can peep into the top-storey windows of the houses as we pass. Every now and then we are delayed by a lock, of which we encounter five on our way to Lachine...

At Lachine it will be well to land and stroll awhile amid the scenery of this quiet suburb of the great city, with its reminiscences of Robert Cavalier, Sieur de la Salle, and its association with so many vicissitudes in the history of the heroic and saintly founders of New... Read MORE...

1885 - Canadian Towns which are Infected
The State Board of Health of Maine announces, that besides Montreal and its suburbs, the following named places in the Province of Quebec are affected with small-pox; Batiscan, Oct. 22, 7 families; Bersenels, below Tadousac, Nov 6, 4 families; Cap St. Ignace, Oct. 29, 50 cases, Chambly, Oct 27, 2 cases; Grondines, Oct. 18, several deaths; Lachine, Nov. 4, another new case, Laprairie, Oct. 22, 1 child died and 3 sick, L'Islet, Oct. 29, 6 cases; Longueuil, Nov. 3, 7 cases, have been 20 in all, Lorette, Oct 28, six cases; Maissonneuve, Oct. 31; Mascouche, Oct 31; Montmagny, Oct 29, one case; Ottawa, Nov. 6, several cases; Pointe aux Trembles, Port Neuf, Oct. 29, six cases, Rivier du Loup, Oct 23 ten cases, Rimouski, Oct, 21, 8 cases, St Francis, Temisconata Co, Nov 7, 7 cases, St Joseph de Levis, Oct 31, St. Lambert, Nov 3, 1 case, St. I in, Nov. 5; St. Martin, Oct 27 2 houses, St. Michel, Oct. 27, 4 deaths recently, St. Paschal, Oct 23 3 cases; St. Remi, Oct 27, 2 houses, St Roch, Nov.... Read MORE...

1895 - Lachine
Lachine, là'sheen', a town in Jacques Cartier co, Quebec, on Lake St. Louis, opposite Caughnawaga, and on the Grand Trunk Railway, 8 miles S.W. of Montreal. It is the summer residence of many city people, and a favorite resort of pleasure-parties during the winter. It contains a large tannery, a convent, several stores, a brewery, hotels, churches, schools, &c. There is a canal from this point to Montreal (9 miles) to avoid the Lachine Rapids. All the commerce between Montreal and the West (by water) passes through this canal. Lachine is the starting-place for the Ottawa line of steamers, and the steamers for Kingston, Toronto, and Hamilton. Pop. 1696.
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 - Église de Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens established at Lachine

www.gcatholic.org

1910 - Église du Très-Saint-Sacrement established at Lachine

www.gcatholic.org

1916
Lachine, a town of Jacques Cartier co., Quebec, on Lake St. Louis, opposite Caughnawaga, and on the Grand Trunk and the Canadian Pacific Rs., 8 miles SW. of Montreal. It is the summer residence of many city people and a favorite resort of pleasure-parties during the winter. It has a large tannery, brewery, pickle-factories, etc. The Lachine Canal extends from this point to Montreal (9 miles), circumventing the Lachine Rapids. All the water-commerce between Montreal and the west passes through this canal, which has 5 locks and a rise of 45 feet. Pop. in 1900, 5561.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

Lachine
Lachine, Qué, City, pop 40 222 (2001c), 39 910 A (1996c), 35 266 (1991c), area 17.83 km2, inc 1907, is located on the south bank of Île de Montréal and forms part of the Montréal urban community. In 1669 Cavelier de la Salle travelled inland in search of China, whence the derisive nickname Lachine applied to his land grant, which he had received 2 years earlier. In 1689, during the Iroquois Wars, it was the site of a surprise attack by the Haudenosaunee (see Lachine Raid). Lachine remained the nerve centre in the Canadian fur trade for several decades, and the Hudson's Bay Company maintained a trading post there for many years.

The development of the Lachine Canal in the 1820s, the establishment of the Montreal and Lachine Railroad in 1847, and the expansion of the trucking business in the 20th century gave Lachine a major role in the trade network extending to southwestern Canada and the US. The town's industrialization, one of the most rapid in Canada, attracted a large... Read MORE...

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Lachine:
Lachine Canal National Historic Site: Start your exploration of Lachine by visiting the Lachine Canal National Historic Site. This historic canal played a significant role in Canada's industrial development. You can walk or bike along the scenic canal path, enjoy a picnic, or even rent a kayak or paddleboard to explore the water.

René Lévesque Park: This beautiful park offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can enjoy a leisurely walk, have a picnic, or simply relax by the water. The park often hosts cultural events and outdoor concerts during the summer months.

Fort Rolland Park: This park features a historic windmill and offers a panoramic view of Lake Saint-Louis. It's a great spot for a picnic or a family outing. Don't forget to bring your camera to capture the scenic beauty.

Lachine Museum: For a deeper dive into the history of Lachine, visit the Lachine Museum (Musée de Lachine). It's housed in an old fur trade warehouse and showcases... Read MORE...