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

Maison Dr. Molson/Avenue McGill College

 
 
Maison Dr. Molson/Avenue McGill College Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 23, 2024
1. Maison Dr. Molson/Avenue McGill College Marker
Inscription.  
[Français]
La Maison Dr. William A. Molson
Typique de l'époque édouardienne, cet hôtel particulier en calcaire gris est l'unique exemple de l’époque qui a vu s'aligner, sur cette partie de la rue Sherbrooke et des deux côtés de l'avenue McGill College, des hôtels particuliers et des maisons de ville. Elle fut conçue par l'architecte montréalais Robert Findlay et construite, en 1906, pour servir de bureau et de résidence au Dr. William Alexander Molson. En 1992, on reconstruisit la maison pratiquement de fond en comble, ne laissant intacte que sa façade avant. Le portail d'entrée, richement sculpté, montre l'influence du style Jacques Ier et est typique du renouveau architectural en vogue au tournant du siècle en Amérique du Nord.

L'avenue McGill College
L'avenue McGill College fut tracée, dans les années 1840, lorsque la partie sud du domaine James McGill fut lotie en terrains à bâtir afin d'amasser des fonds pour l'Université. A partir des années 1920 jusqu'à la fin des années 80, divers plans ont été proposés en vue de rehausser l'importance de l'artère tout en préservant la
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vue sur le mont Royal depuis le sud.

La conception définitive, qui associait l'élargissement de l'artère et des trottoirs ainsi que l'aménagement paysager d'un terre-plein, a été complétée en 1988.

La rue Sherbrook
À la suite du prolongement de la rue Sherbrooke vers l'ouest, depuis la rue Aylmer jusqu'à Côte-des-Neiges, dans les années 1840, cette rue est devenue une élégante avenue bordée d'arbres, d'immeubles publics et de résidences privées, qui avaient été construites par des représentants des milieux financiers et de l'industrie au Canada. Elle traversait une magnifique étendue située entre le surplomb au-dessus de la rue Saint-Antoine et le bas des pentes du mont Royal, que nous sommes venus à reconnaître sous le vocable du
« Mille carré ».

Le temps, les travaux de démolition et les constructions nouvelles ont considérablement modifié la rue Sherbrooke. Néanmoins, les immeubles qui ont survécu constituent un témoignage éloquent de son glorieux passé. Cette excursion à pied rend hommage à ce remarquable héritage architectural.

[English]
Dr. William A. Molson House
Typical of the Edwardian era, this grey limestone mansion is the lone survivor of the time when this part of Sherbrooke Street and both sides of McGill College Avenue were lined with mansions and townhouses. It was designed
Marker detail: McGill College Avenue, 1869 image. Click for full size.
Mc Cord Museum of Canadian History, Notman Photographic Archives
2. Marker detail: McGill College Avenue, 1869
L’avenue McGill College, 1869
by Montreal architect Robert Findlay and built in 1906 as the office and residence of Dr. William Alexander Molson. In 1992, the house was extensively rebuilt, leaving its front facade intact. The richly carved entrance portal shows the influence of the Jacobean period and is typical of the revival architecture in vogue at the turn of the century in North America.

McGill College Avenue
McGill College Avenue was created in the 1840s when the southern portion of James McGill’s estate was subdivided into building lots to raise funds for the university. From the 1920s to the late 1980s, various plans were put forward to enhance the street's importance while preserving the view of Mount Royal from the south.

The final design, which involved widening of both the street and sidewalks as well as installing the landscaped median, was completed in 1988.

Sherbrooke Street
After its extension west from Aylmer Street to Cote-des-Neiges in the 1840s, Sherbrooke Street grew into an elegant tree-lined avenue of public buildings and private residences, built by many of the central figures in Canada's industrial and financial development. It bisected the splendid area from the escarpment above Saint Antoine Street to the slopes of Mount Royal that became known as the Square Mile.

Time, demolition and new construction have changed Sherbrooke
Maison Dr. Molson/Avenue McGill College Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 23, 2024
3. Maison Dr. Molson/Avenue McGill College Marker
The marker is located directly in front of the house, in the flower garden on the right side of the front staircase.
Street considerably, but the buildings which have survived bear eloquent testimony to its glorious past. This walking tour celebrates a remarkable legacy.

Ce panneau est commandité par la générosité de Maison Ultramar Inc. Ce circuit est un projet conjoint de Héritage Montréal et de la fondation Macdonald-Stewart à l'occasion des célébrations du 350e anniversaire de Montréal.
• • •
This plaque graciously donated by Maison Ultramar Inc. This circuit is a joint project of Heritage Montreal and the Macdonald Stewart Foundation as part of the celebration of the 350th anniversary of Montreal.
© Fondation Héritage Montréal, 1992.

 
Erected 1992 by Fondation Héritage Montréal / Montreal Heritage Foundation. (Marker Number 2.)
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: ArchitectureRoads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.
 
Location. 45° 30.205′ N, 73° 34.489′ W. Marker is in Montréal, Québec. It is in Golden Square Mile. It is at the intersection of Rue Sherbrooke Ouest (Québec Route 138) and McGill College Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Rue Sherbrooke Ouest. The marker is located directly in front of the subject house, on the right side of the front staircase. Touch for map
Dr. Molson Memorial Plaque image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 23, 2024
4. Dr. Molson Memorial Plaque
(mounted on the left side of the front façade)
Maison du Dr William Alexander Molson
1852-1920
en mémoire reconnaissante d'un médecin
qui s’est dévoué généreusement
pour les pauvres et les démunis de Montréal
Érigée en 1906
Robert Findlay, architecte
• • •
The home of Dr. William Alexander Molson
1852-1920
in grateful memory of a doctor
who generously served the poor
and needy of Montreal
Built in 1906
Robert Findlay, Architect
. Marker is at or near this postal address: 888 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Montréal QC H3A 1G3, 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: Le Maxwelton (1912) devient le Château Nasso (1984) / The Maxwelton (1912) — Château Nasso (1984) (a few steps from this marker); Hochelaga (within shouting distance of this marker); Percy Erskine Nobbs (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Musée McCord (about 150 meters away); Le Cercle Universitaire de McGill / McGill University Faculty Club (about 180 meters away); Frank Dawson Adams (about 240 meters away); École Polytechnique Massacre (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Second World War Commemorative Garden (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. La Rue Sherbrooke / Sherbrooke Street
 
Also see . . .  Molson House.
Excerpt:  Designed by Montreal architect Robert Findley and built in 1906, Molson House served as the office and residence of Dr. William A. Molson, a direct relative of the famous brewing family of Canada. The building today serves as residence halls for students at McGill University.
(Submitted on April 21, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.) 
 
Maison Molson (<i>northwest elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 23, 2024
5. Maison Molson (northwest elevation)
Maison Molson — Carved Entrance Portal image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 23, 2024
6. Maison Molson — Carved Entrance Portal
Maison Molson image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 23, 2024
7. Maison Molson
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 275 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on April 21, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
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Jul. 1, 2026