Golden Square Mile in Montréal, Québec — Central Canada (French-Canadian)

George Stephen

1829-1921

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 23, 2024

1. George Stephen Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

[Français] Né en Écosse, George Stephen arriva à Montréal en 1850 comme marchand général. Ses affaires prirent de l'ampleur et, en 1876, il devint président de la Banque de Montréal. Il contribua à la fondation et à la réalisation du Canadien Pacifique, dont il fut le premier président de 1881 à 1888. Il fit profiter cette entreprise de sa vaste expérience et de l'appui de la Banque de Montréal. Il se retira en Angleterre en 1890 où, pour un temps, il fut conseiller officieux de John A. Macdonald sur les affaires britanniques. En 1891, il fut créé baron.

[English] Scottish born, George Stephen came to Montréal in 1850 to work as a dry goods merchant. His business dealings grew in importance and by 1876 he was President of the Bank of Montréal. He was instrumental in the founding and initial success of the Canadian Pacific Railway and served as its first President from 1881 to 1888. To this enterprise he committed all his considerable skills plus the support of the bank. In 1890 he moved to virtual retirement in England where for a brief time he was unofficial advisor

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

to John A. Macdonald on British affairs. He was made Baron Mount Stephen in 1891.

Erected by Commission des lieux et monuments historiques du Canada/Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1829.

Location. 45° 29.95′ N, 73° 34.543′ W. Marker is in Montréal, Québec. It is in Golden Square Mile. It is on Rue Drummond just north of Rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest, on the left when traveling north. The marker is mounted at eye-level on the front balcony of the George Stephen house. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1440 Rue Drummond, Montréal QC H3G 1V9, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Maison George Stephen / George Stephen House (here, next to this marker); Ritz-Carlton (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); Maison Alcan (about 210 meters away); Appartements Acadia (about 240 meters away); Holt Renfrew (about 240 meters away); Maison Reid Wilson (about 240 meters away); Maison Louis-Joseph Forget

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 23, 2024

2. George Stephen Marker

This is the leftmost of two Canada Historic Sites and Monuments Board markers mounted on the front balcony of Hôtel Mount Stephen.

(approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Mount Royal Club (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montréal.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Maison George Stephen House

Also see . . . George Stephen, 1st Baron Mount Stephen (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: George Stephen, 1st Baron Mount Stephen, was a Canadian businessman. Originally from Scotland, he was the first Canadian to be elevated to the Peerage of the United Kingdom. He was the financial genius behind the creation of the Canadian Pacific Railway. He was President of the Bank of Montreal and is remembered as one of the greatest philanthropists of his time: he built a new wing at the Montreal General Hospital, donated generously to various hospitals in Scotland and gave over £1.3 million to the Prince of Wales Hospital Fund in London, working closely with George V. His home in Montreal's Golden Square Mile later became the Mount Stephen Club.

(Submitted on March 25, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

George Stephen House (<i>front/northeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 23, 2024

3. George Stephen House (front/northeast elevation)

Today a 5-star hotel known as Hôtel Mount Stephen.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 22, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 133 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 25, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.