Ville-Marie in Montréal, Québec — Central Canada (French-Canadian)
Trois Siecles D'histoire
⎯⎯⎯
Three Centuries of History
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 21, 2024
1. Trois Siecles D'histoire / Three Centuries of History Marker
Trois Siecles D'histoire
En 1670, peu de temps après l’arrivée des premiers colons français, François de Salignac La Mothe Fénelon propose de creuser un canal dans le sud-ouest de l'île. Construit au 19e siècle sous l'égide des marchands britanniques de Montréal, le canal de Lachine existe toujours, riche d'une histoire couvrant plus de trois siècles. Il influence encore l'évolution de la ville.
[Chronologie]
1821-1825 Creusement de canal
1825 Ouverture du canal
1843-1848 Agrandissement du canal
1846-1847 Implantation des premières usines employant énergie hydraulique
1847-1946 Age d’or industriel
1873-1885 agrandissement eu canal
1885-1929 Age d’or de la navigation sur le canal
1950 Amorce du déclin de l’industrie
1959 Ouverture de la Vole maritime
1970 Fermeture du canal
1978 Ouverture de la piste cyclable
1993-2003 Revitalisation du canal et de ses abords
2002 Réouverture du canal
[légendes]
• John Young (1811-1878) Commissaire du Havre de Montréal et fervent promoteur de l'utilisation de l'énergie hydraulique au canal.
• John Richardson (vers 1754-1831) Homme d'affaires, politicien, il a proposé et supervisé la
this page online
• Travaux d'agrandissement a l'écluse de Saint-Gabriel, 1877.
• Plan des premières écluses du Canal de Lachine.
Three Centuries of History
In 1670, shortly after the arrival of the first French settlers, Reverend Francois de Salignac de La Mothe Fénelon suggested digging a canal in the southwest sector of the island. Built in the 19th century under the aegis of British merchants in Montreal, the Lachine Canal exists to this day, its rich history spanning more than three centuries. It continues to play a role in the city’s development.
[Timeline]
1821-1825 Canal digging
1825 Canal opening
1843-1848 Canal expansion
1846-1847 Establishment of the first factories using hydraulic power
1847-1946 Industrial golden age
1873-1885 Canal enlargement
1885-1929 Golden age of canal navigation
1950 Beginning of industrial decline
1959 Opening of the Maritime Canal
1970 Canal closure
1978 Opening of the bike path
1993-2003 Revitalization of the canal and its surroundings
2002 Canal reopening
[captions]
• John Young (1811-1878), Montreal harbour commissioner and ardent promoter of the use of hydraulic energy along the canal.
• John
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 21, 2024
2. Trois Siecles D'histoire / Three Centuries of History Marker
This marker is the leftmost of four interpretive panels overlooking Rue de la Commune Ouest at this location.
• Work to widen the canal at Saint-Gabriel Lock, 1877.
• Lachine Canal, plan of the first locks.
Erected by Parcs Canada & Société du Vieux-Port de Montréal / Parks Canada & Old Port of Montreal Corporation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1670.
Location. 45° 29.785′ N, 73° 33.146′ W. Marker is in Montréal, Québec. It is in Ville-Marie. It can be reached from the intersection of Rue de la Commune Ouest and Rue Mill, on the left when traveling south. The marker is near the canal walkway at the Lachine Canal National Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Montréal QC H3C 1Y5, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Canada. Globally, it is in 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 berceau de l'industrie / Cradle of Canadian Industry (here, next to this marker); Une ville en profonde mutation / Transformation of a City (here, next to this marker); Un petit monde en soi / A World Unto Itself (here, next to this marker); Vers L'intérieur du continent / Gateway to the Interior (here, next to this marker); Les canaux du Saint-Laurent / The St. Lawrence Canals (here, next to this marker); La batellerie du Saint-Laurent / The St. Lawrence Fleet (here, next to this marker); L'époque revolue des canalers / The Era of the Canaler (a few steps from this marker); Le site des écluses nos 1 et 2 / The site of locks 1 and 2 (within shouting distance of this marker). 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.
Also see . . . History and culture (Lachine Canal National Historic Site).
Excerpt: The canal was the port of entry for a canal network that linked the Atlantic to the heart of the continent. It was one of the factors that made Montréal the cradle of the Canadian manufacturing industry. The canal's location near the port and the development of its hydraulic power potential in addition to the availability of inexpensive labour, sufficient capital and the closeness of markets favoured the establishment of highly diversified businesses along its banks.(Submitted on June 1, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)The Lachine Canal is much more than just a route bypassing the rapids of the same name. The Lachine Canal's history stretches over 200 years and takes several directions. It comes within the scope of the interdependence between shipping, industrialization and urbanization, which marked Montréal's development.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 1, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
