The Quays of the Old Port are steeped in history. The first colonists arrived here on the shores of the St. Lawrence River, and it was thanks to the port that old Ville-Marie grew into the thriving international metropolis of modern-day Montréal.
Take a step back in time to learn about major milestones in the port’s history and the birth of the Old Port.
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Figure 1
1642 – Montréal is founded by Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve. The Lachine rapids prevented him from sailing further west, so he likely anchored at what is today the Old Port.
Figure 1, The Founding of Montreal, by Donald Kenneth Anderson, undated.
M976.179.3
© McCord Museum
Figure 2
1760 – The fur trade expands and the first harbour facilities are built. Instead of landing on muddy river banks, merchants have temporary wooden docks built along the shore.
Figure 2, An East View of Montreal, in Canada, by Thomas Patten, 1762.
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© McCord Museum
Figure 3
1809 – The Accommodation becomes the first steamship to offer regular service between Montréal and Quebec City. It departs from the pier of John Molson, owner of the vessel, west of the Bonsecours Chapel.
Figure 3, The steamship Accommodation works back upstream with the help of horses and oxen.
Ville de Montréal archives
Figure 4
1825 – Official opening of the Lachine Canal, making it possible to sail up the St. Lawrence to the Great Lakes.
Figure 4, Entrance to Lachine Canal, Montreal, QC, 1826, watercolour by unknown artist, about 1910.
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© McCord Museum
Figure 5
1830 – The Montréal Harbour Commission is created to enlarge the port and improve facilities. The first phase of this work extends over the next two decades.
Figure 5, The Port of Montreal, by Robert Auchmuty Sproule, 1830.
MP-1976.288.2
© McCord Museum
Figure 6
1850 – A canal is dredged between Montréal and Lac Saint-Pierre. The harbour is now able to accommodate ocean-going vessels. The railway industry begins to flourish.
Figure 6, Montreal harbour from Custom House, QC, about 1872, by Alexander Henderson, about 1872.
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© McCord Museum
Figure 7
1859 – The Victoria Bridge is opened, allowing trains to cross the river. Montréal becomes Canada’s primary hub for rail and maritime transport.
Figure 7, Grand Finale of Fire-Works in Honor of the Prince of Wales and the Successful Completion of the Victoria Bridge, Montreal, Canada East, G.A. Lilliendahl, 1860.
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© McCord Museum
Figure 8
1886 – The first transcontinental train departs from the port.
Figure 8, Timber for Royal City Saw Mills, Montreal, QC, 1890, William Notman & Son, 1890.
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© McCord Museum
Figure 9
1898 – The federal government allocates one million dollars to upgrade port facilities. Major infrastructure built during this period includes concrete quays, steel storage sheds, docks and grain elevators.
Figure 9, The last rivet driven into place marks the official opening of Shed 11, the first of the Port of Montreal’s permanent warehouses.
Port of Montreal Archives (APM-0934)
Figure 10
1922 – The Clock Tower is inaugurated and the cold-storage warehouse is opened. Montréal is the world's leading grain port.
Figure 10, Cold storage plant in harbour, Montreal, QC, anonymous, about 1925.
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© McCord Museum
Figure 11
1928 – Annual tonnage reaches its peak: over 12.5 million tonnes of merchandise transit the Port of Montréal.
Figure 11, Bananas from the Antilles arrive at the Port of Montréal, for shipment by train to the rest of Canada.
MSTC/Collection : CN Photo 31279
Canada Science and Technology Museum
Figure 12
1930 – Inauguration of the Montréal Harbour Bridge, renamed the Jacques-Cartier Bridge a few years later.
Figure 12, Jacques-Cartier Bridge, Montréal.
Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec / Notice 0002632544
Toward modernity
Figure 13
1959 – Opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Ocean-going vessels can now reach the Great Lakes without stopping in Montréal. The port experiences a decline in activity.
Figure 13, Opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway, June 26, 1959.
Unknown source
Figure 14
1963 – Old Montréal is declared a historic district.
Figure 14, Place d’Armes, Old Montreal.
Denis Tremblay / Source : www.vieux.montreal.qc.ca
Figure 15
1970 – The Lachine Canal is closed to shipping.
Figure 15, View of the locks sector after the canal is filled in.
© The Old Port of Montréal Corporation
Figure 16
1976 – The Port is moved farther east, putting an end to port activities in Old Montreal. The Port of Montreal specializes in handling containers and soon receives its one millionth container.
Figure 16, One of the Port of Montreal’s container terminals.
© Port of Montreal
Figure 17
1977 – The Canadian government announces its intention to redevelop the area left vacant by the port’s move. Subsequent years see public consultations on its future vocation.
Figure 17, Final public consultation report on the future of the Old Port of Montréal.
© The Old Port of Montréal Corporation
Figure 18
1981 – The Old Port of Montréal Corporation is established. A linear park is created along Rue de la Commune, and six of the eight rail lines are removed.
Figure 18, View of linear park along Rue de la Commune.
© The Old Port of Montréal Corporation
Figure 19
1982 –The Clock Tower is restored. Grain Elevator No.1 (near the entrance to Alexandra Quay) is demolished to improve access to the river, in accordance with public wishes.
Figure 19, The white Beaux-arts-style Clock Tower.
© Mattera
Figure 20
1987 – The Old Port of Montréal Corporation master plan is submitted and approved, advocating the enhancement of the site and its rediscovery by Montréalers.
Figure 20, One of the enhancement proposals that would culminate in the Old Port of Montréal Corporation’s master plan.
© The Old Port of Montréal Corporation
Figure 21
1989 – The Old Port site gets a makeover: development plans and work on the Bonsecours Basin, the Jacques-Cartier Quay and other facilities.
Figure 21, Aerial view of Bonsecours Basin and Pavillion after completion of development work.
© The Old Port of Montréal Corporation
Figure 22
1992 – Inauguration of the “New Old Port of Montréal” on the 350th anniversary of Montréal’s founding.
Figure 22, Visitors flock to the Old Port during Montréal’s 350th birthday celebrations.
© Ville de Montréal archives / VM71
Figure 23
2000 – The Montréal Science Centre opens on May 1.
Figure 23, Entrance of the Montréal Science Centre.
© Mattera
Figure 24
2002 – Lachine Canal reopens to pleasure boaters.
Figure 24, The locks sector after the reopening.
Unknown source
Figure 25
2005 – The government and Old Port of Montréal Corporation adopt the 2005–2015 Vision Development, a plan to enhance the Old Port’s recreational, tourism and cultural infrastructure.
Figure 25, Overview of the Vision at completion.
Production: Graph Synergie
Figure 26
Today – The Old Port welcomes six million visitors annually
Figure 26, The Eureka! Festival is held on the Quays of the Old Port every spring.
© Roland Lorente