History of Upton, Québec, Canada

The history of the municipality begins in 1800, when the township of Upton is proclaimed, but it seems that the real colonization begins after 1845, the year of the construction of the railway which connects Saint-Hyacinthe and Sherbrooke via Upton.

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Around 1853, Mr. Anthony MacEvilla (or Mc Evilla), a Scottish merchant from New York, built a flour and carding mill on the site. He adds a sawmill.

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1854 - Église de Saint-Éphrem established at Upton

www.gcatholic.org

The parish municipality of Saint-Ephrem-d'Upton was created 1 July 1855.

familysearch.org (Mormon Genealogy Records)
Unofficial Guide to FamilySearch.org: How to Find Your Family History on the World's Largest Free Genealogy Website

1867 - Upton
Upton
"An active manufacturing village, in the parish of Ephraim, Bagot County, St. Hyacinthe district. It is on the line of the Grand Trunk Railway , 13 miles from St. Hyacinthe and 6 from Acton. There is a large factory here for the extraction of bark ; steam saw mill, also saw, grist, carding and mills operated by water power. There are two schools, French and English, and R. C. church; population, about 260."
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
ST. EPHREM D'UPTON, or UPTON, a thriving post, village in Bagot. co., Que., on the G. T. R., 48 miles E. of Montreal. It contains 7 or 8 stores, 2 saw mills, an extract of hemlock bark factory, a tannery, and telegraph office. There are valuable copper mines in the vicinity. Pop. 350; of parish 1,392.
Lovell's gazetteer of British North America; J. Lovell; Montreal, 1873

The village municipality of Upton was created 1 Jan. 1878.

familysearch.org (Mormon Genealogy Records)
Unofficial Guide to FamilySearch.org: How to Find Your Family History on the World's Largest Free Genealogy Website

1895 - Saint Ephrem d'Upton
Saint Ephrem d'Upton, or Upton, a post-village in Bagot co., Quebec, on the Grand Trunk Railway, 48 miles E. of Montreal. It contains 7 of 8 stores, 2 saw-mills, a manufactory of extract of hemlock bark, and a tannery. Pop. 350; of parish, 1392. There are valuable copper-mines in the vicinity.
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

1906
Saint Ephrem d'Upton, or Upton, a post-village of Bagot co., Quebec, on the Grand Trunk R., 48 miles E. of Montreal. Pop. in 1901, 671.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

1919 - Arrival of the Telephone
The telephone came there in 1919, when a group of citizens of the municipality, wishing to have telephone service, decided to take matters into their own hands and to unite to form the Telephone Company of St-Ephrem d' Upton de Bagot, which at the time served the village of Upton, as well as the parishes of St-Valérien de Milton and St-André d'Acton. The network was made with the help of chores.
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In the 1950s, a religious group called the White Berets and led by Gilberte Côte-Mercier, convinced several citizens of Upton to join their ranks.
This community or rather sect was quite well known in Canada at the time, but it was in Upton that its followers managed to gain some confidence among the rural population in Quebec.
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The parish of Saint-Ephrem-d'Upton and the village of Upton came together in 1998 under the name of Upton.

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Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Upton:
Parc des Braves: This lovely park is a great place to start your visit to Upton. It's an ideal spot for a picnic, a leisurely stroll, or simply enjoying the scenic views. The park also has a playground for kids, making it a family-friendly destination.

Église Saint-Jacques: Explore the rich history of Upton by visiting the Église Saint-Jacques. This beautiful church, built in the late 19th century, is a prime example of Quebec's architectural heritage. Even if you're not religious, the church's stunning architecture and peaceful atmosphere are worth experiencing.

Vignoble Les Petits Cailloux: Wine lovers will appreciate a visit to this local vineyard. You can take a guided tour of the vineyard and learn about the winemaking process while enjoying some wine tasting. It's a delightful way to spend an afternoon.

Parc Régional des Chutes Monte-à-Peine-et-des-Dalles: Just a short drive from Upton, you'll find this regional park known for its stunning waterfalls. The hiking trails... Read MORE...