Golden Square Mile in Montréal, Québec — Central Canada (French-Canadian)
Maison Louis-Joseph Forget
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 22, 2024
1. Maison Louis-Joseph Forget Marker
La Maison Louis-Joseph Forget
L'ancienne résidence de Louis-Joseph Forget (plus tard, sénateur) sert de quartier général montréalais au United Services Club depuis 1927. Le Club fut fondé, en 1922, par des anciens combattants de la première Guerre mondiale et ses membres proviennent toujours des rangs des anciens des Forces armées. En 1975, la fondation Macdonald-Stewart acquit l'immeuble et le Club en occupe maintenant l'étage principal.
Cette maison est l'une des rares anciennes résidences de la rue Sherbrooke à demeurer érigée, son style incarne parfaitement celui des maisons du Mille carré de la fin du 19e siècle. Sa magnifique façade de pierre de taille et son toit mansardé illustrent l'influence du style français du Second Empire.
Attribué à l'architecte Maurice Perrault, l'immeuble de calcaire a été peu remanié depuis sa construction en 1883-1884. En 1902, l'escalier de pierre à pente raide et l'entrée principale furent modifiés dans le cadre des importants travaux de rénovation intérieure conçus par Edward et William S. Maxwell. Les portes d'entrée en chêne
this page online
En 1974, le gouvernement du Québec reconnaissait officiellement l'immeuble comme monument historique.
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.
The Louis Joseph Forget House
The former residence of Louis-Joseph (later Senator) Forget, has been the Montreal headquarters of the United Services Club since 1927. The club was founded in 1922
Courtesy United Services Club
2. Marker detail: United Services Club, c. 1943
Le club United Services, vers 1943
One of the few surviving former residences on Sherbrooke Street, its grand style epitomizes Square Mile houses of the late 19th century. Its splendid cut stone facade and mansard roof show the influence of the French Second Empire style.
Attributed to the architect Maurice Perrault, the limestone building has undergone little change since its construction in 1883-1884. In 1902, modifications were made to the steep stone steps and main entrance, as part of major interior renovations designed by Edward and William S. Maxwell. Of particular interest are the oak and wrought iron entrance doors with finely crafted iron grilles made at the Clendinning foundry of Montreal.
The building was officially recognized as an historic monument by the Government of Quebec in 1974.
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
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 22, 2024
3. Maison Louis-Joseph Forget Marker
The marker is located beside the sidewalk, directly in front of the Louis-Joseph Forget house.
Time, demolition and new construction have changed Sherbrooke Street considerably, but the buildings which have survived bear eloquent testimony to its glorious past. This walking tour celebrates a remarkable legacy.
© Fondation Héritage Montréal, 1992.
Erected 1992 by Fondation Héritage Montréal / Montreal Heritage Foundation. (Marker Number 6.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Patriots & Patriotism • War, World I. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.
Location. 45° 30.049′ N, 73° 34.67′ W. Marker is in Montréal, Québec. It is in Golden Square Mile. It is on Rue Sherbrooke
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 23, 2024
4. Maison Louis-Joseph Forget / Louis-Joseph Forget House
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 Reid Wilson (within shouting distance of this marker); Maison Alcan (within shouting distance of this marker); Mount Royal Club (within shouting distance of this marker); Appartements Acadia (within shouting distance of this marker); Ritz-Carlton (within shouting distance of this marker); Holt Renfrew (about 180 meters away, measured in a direct line); Appartements Le Château (about 180 meters away); Maison George Stephen / George Stephen House (approx. 0.2 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 . . . Maison Louis-Joseph Forget (Canada Register of Historic Places).
Excerpt (English translation): The Louis-Joseph-Forget House, a designated historic monument, is a Second Empire-inspired bourgeois residence built between 1882 and 1884. The monumental three-story freestone building has a rectangular plan and is topped with a false mansard roof pierced by three dormers. A bay window on the west side adorns its façade. It is associated with the Second Empire style because of its false mansard roof. However, some of its features make it a rather eclectic building, such as the bay window and sash windows commonly used in Victorian architecture. The grouping of windows in pairs is characteristic of the Renaissance. The ornamentation and the quality of the materials used, such as cut stone, are a testament to the Forget family's prestige.(Submitted on April 23, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)The heritage value of the house also lies in its association with Louis-Joseph Forget (1853-1911), a prominent figure in Quebec history. A broker, politician, and businessman, he was arguably the most prosperous francophone in Canada at the turn of the 20th century. Speaking equally fluently in English and French, he was able to gain acceptance from both communities and leverage their strengths in his businesses. The first French Canadian to be listed on the Montreal Stock Exchange, he founded L. J. Forget & Company in 1876, which quickly became a major brokerage firm. During his career, Forget served on numerous boards of directors, including that of the Canadian Pacific Railway, where he was the first French Canadian. In 1896, he was appointed senator. At the dawn of the 20th century, he became involved in the hydroelectric industry and became a leading director of the Montreal Light, Heat and Power Company. To build his house, Forget chose the Golden Square Mile, Montreal's wealthiest sector and the neighborhood of the English-speaking elite, rather than the neighborhood then favored by the French-speaking bourgeoisie near Saint-Denis Street.
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 152 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 23, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
