History of Acton Vale, Québec, Canada

1832 - ACTON,
a township in the co. of Drummond, is bounded E. by Roxton and ELy, W. by Upton and N.N.E. by Grantham, Wickham, and Durham. About one half has been surveyed and granted, but no part is settled. The land is level, and, lying rather low, is overspread with several swamps covered with spruce, fir, white pine, cedar, &c.; the drier tracts are timbered with ash, beech, maple, and birch. It is watered by two large branches of the R. Yamaska. - Ungranted and unlocated, 9372 acres, exclusive of reservations - 1st Sept. 1829.
A Topographical Dictionary of The Province of Lower Canada by Joseph Bouchette, Esq., London, 1832

Acton Vale was born thanks to the construction, in 1850, of the first international railway line in the world. This railway crossed the township of Acton, connecting Montreal to Portland in the State of Maine.

grandquebec.com

In 1858, the city was erected canonically and in 1862, civilly.

grandquebec.com

1859 - Église de Saint-André established at Acton Vale

www.gcatholic.org

1862 - Acton Vale - Founded in 1862, the town was named for Acton, a suburb of London, England.

wikipedia.org

1867 - Acton Vale
"ACTON VALE - An active manufacturing village in the township of Acton, Bagot County, and St. Hyacinthe district. It is on the line of the Grand Trunk between St. Hyacinthe and Richmond, 10 miles from Montreal, and the same distance from Sherbrooke. It is a new place, comparatively, built up by the wealth of its copper mines which are in the village. There are three Churches, Roman Catholic, Church of England and Methodist, a Convent, R. C, and Protestant schools. The Circuit Court for the county is held here. A large market and Town-Hall has lately been built, the latter being capable of holding over 300 persons. In the way of manufactures there are grist and saw mills, store mill, carriage factory, smelting factory, Ac. Mails are received and despatched semi-daily. Population about 400. The Copper Mines are not at present being actively worked."
The Eastern Townships Gazetteer and General Business Directory: A Commercial Directory and Guide to the Eastern Townships of Canada, Containing Also Much Useful Information of a Miscellaneous Character ... January 1, 1867 Smith & Company

1873
ACTON VALE, or ST. ANDRE D'ACTON , a post village in Bagot co., on the G. T. R., 55 miles from Montreal. It contains a telegraph office, 3 churches, 15 stores, 3 hotels, several mills, and a brick field. Rich copper mines are worked in the vicinity. Traces of gold have also been found, but in too small quantities to repay the search. Pop. 500.
Lovell's gazetteer of British North America; J. Lovell; Montreal, 1873

1895 - Acton Vale
ACTON VALE, a post town in Bagot co., Que., a junction of the Grand Trunk and South Eastern Railways. The station is known as Acton Station. It contains Roman Catholic and Anglican churches, a convent, 10 stores, 5 hotels, 3 mills, several factories, and telegraph and express offices. Pop. 1,380.
Crossby, Peter Alfred. Lovell's gazetteer of British North America. (John Lovell & Son)., 1895

1895 - Acton Vale / Saint André d’Acton
Acton Vale, or Saint André d’Acton, a post-village in Bagot co., Quebec, Canada, on the Grand Trunk Railway, 55 miles E. of Montreal. It contains 3 churches, 15 stores, 3 hotels, and several mills. Copper-mines are worked in the vicinity. Pop. 500.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1900 - Acton Vale railway station, built by the Grand Trunk Railway, opened in 1900
The Acton Vale Railway Station (Grand Trunk) expresses the development of the Grand Trunk Company railway in Quebec. The design of this building is based on a standard plan used by the Grand Trunk Railway Company to build several stations between 1895 and 1905 on the line connecting Montréal to Portland Maine. Formed in 1853, the Grand Trunk Railway Company became part of the Canadian National Railway Company after the latter was created in 1919.
wikipedia.org

1916
Acton Vale, or Saint Andre d' Acton, a post-village in Bagot co., Quebec, Canada, on the Grand Trunk and the Canadian Pacific Rs., 55 miles E. of Montreal. Copper-mines are worked in the vicinity. It has a tannery, brick-yards, sash- and door-mills, etc. Pop. in 1901, 1175.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

Acton Vale
Acton Vale, Qué, Town, pop 7797 (2006c), 7325 (2001cA), inc 1908. Acton Vale is a small manufacturing centre on the Rivière Le Renne, about 25 km southwest of Drummondville. The first settlers of the township of Acton were either United Empire Loyalists or British, especially Scots, who homesteaded the area in the 1830s. Acton Vale benefited from the building of the St Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad line to Portland in the early 1850s and from the discovery, in 1857, of a rich copper deposit located less than 1 km from the railway station. Even though the various mining operations lasted less than 6 years, they had a tremendous impact on the early development of the community. In 1861 it was incorporated as a village.

Known as La porte de l'Estrie (Door to the Eastern Townships), Acton Vale is the county seat of the regional municipality of Acton. Its main employer is Peerless Carpets. The town's cultural life is centered on the old Grand Trunk railway station, now a tourist... Read MORE...

Here's a list of places to visit and things to do in Acton Vale:
Le Parc Donald-Martin (Donald Martin Park): Start your visit to Acton Vale with a relaxing stroll through Le Parc Donald-Martin. This beautiful park features walking paths, green spaces, and a pond, making it an ideal spot for picnics, leisurely walks, or birdwatching.

Musée de la Femme: Explore the history of women in Quebec at the Musée de la Femme. This museum showcases the achievements and contributions of women throughout history and is an enlightening and educational experience.

Eglise Saint-André: Take a moment to admire the architecture and history of Eglise Saint-André. This stunning church is a prominent landmark in Acton Vale and provides a glimpse into the town's rich religious heritage.

Hiking and Biking: If you're an outdoor enthusiast, Acton Vale offers various hiking and biking trails in the surrounding countryside. The region is known for its picturesque landscapes, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers.

Domaine Poissant et Fils: Explore... Read MORE...