Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu in Le Haut-Richelieu, Québec — Central Canada (French-Canadian)

First Railway in Canada

Photographed By Kevin Craft, June 17, 2011

1. First Railway in Canada Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Canada's first steam railway, the Champlain and St. Lawrence, was opened in 1836 to better facilitate trade with the United States. It was built by promoters led by brewer John Molson and merchant-forwarder Jason C. Pierce. This 23-kilometre line expedited the movement of passengers and freight between Montréal and New York by linking La Prairie, on the St. Lawrence River and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. The wooden rails were replaced with iron in 1847, and the line was extended in 1851 to Rouses Point, New York, to form part of a major international railway network.

Erected by Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada and Parks Canada.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.

Location. 45° 18.157′ N, 73° 15.22′ W. Marker is in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec, in Le Haut-Richelieu. Marker is at the

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intersection of Rue Frontenac and Jacques-Cartier Nord, on the right when traveling west on Rue Frontenac. This marker is located on the grounds of the regional tourist information office. The tourist information office is located in an old railway station that dates back to 19th century. The marker is located near a 10-foot tall railway spike, which was erected in 1986 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the first railway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 31 Frontenac Saint-Jean QC, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu QC J3B 7X2, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 18 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Former Grand Trunk Railway Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Saint-Jean (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Fort Sainte-Thérèse (approx. 9.6 kilometers away); Fort Ste. Therese (approx. 10.5 kilometers away); Second Battle of La Prairie (approx. 15.2 kilometers away); Chambly Canal (approx. 16.2 kilometers away); St. Stephen's Anglican Church (approx. 16.3 kilometers away); General John Thomas (approx. 16.3 kilometers away).

Photographed By Kevin Craft, June 17, 2011

2. First Railway in Canada Marker

(with giant railway spike and old railway station in background)

Photographed By Kevin Craft, June 17, 2011

3. First Railway in Canada Marker

Giant commemorative railway spike image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kevin Craft, June 17, 2011

4. Giant commemorative railway spike

(with marker to the left)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2011, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. This page has been viewed 682 times since then and 9 times this year. Last updated on June 18, 2014, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 21, 2011, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.