History of Rimouski, Québec, Canada

1688 - Seigniory (Rimouski) Granted, April 24, 1688, to Sieur de la Cordoniere
Rimouski was called Saint-Germain-de-Rimouski in honor of the first inhabitant of the locality, Mr. Germain Lepage who acquired, in 1694, the seigneury of Rimouski granted to Augustin Rouer de Villeray and La Cardonnière, six years later. early.
grandquebec.com

Read more about Augustin ROUER

1701 - Parish of St-Germain-de-Rimouski is established at Rimouski

Le Programme de recherche en démographie historique - Univeriste de Montreal

1829 - Cathédrale Saint-Germain established in Rimouski
Originally, the city of Rimouski bore the name of the parish of Saint-Germain-de-Rimouski, canonically erected in 1829, although Rimouski had existed since 1701.
www.gcatholic.org

1832 - RIMOUSKI,
seigniory, in the co. of Rimouski, is bounded N.E. by St. Barnabe, S.W. by Bic; in the rear by waste lands; in front by the St. Lawrence. - 2 leagues in front by 2 in depth. Granted, April 24, 1688, to Sieur de la Cordoniere. - The settlements, well dispersed, are effectually sheltered from N. winds by the extensive island St. Barnabe, which is in front, opposite the R. Rimouski, and is included in the grant of this seigniory. - There are 8 fisheries in this S. - The salt marshes extend from the church to Pointe aux Peres, where many of the farmers manure their potatoe-fields with sea-weed.

Population 2,094
Churches, R.C. 1
Cures 1
Presbyteries 1
Corn-mills 1
Saw-mills 1
Notaries 1
Shopkeepers 1
Taverns 1
Artisans 10
A Topographical Dictionary of The Province of Lower Canada by Joseph Bouchette, Esq., London, 1832

Saint-Germain-de-Rimouski was incorporated in 1869 and it was in 1920 that the town received its current name, even though this name had been the name of the parish post office since 1832.

grandquebec.com

1873
RIMOUSKI, a county of Quebec, comprises an area of 3,156 280 acres. The St. Lawrence forms its N. boundary. Its capital is Rimouski. Pop. 27,418.

RIMOUSKI, an incorporated town and watering place of Quebec, capital of the above county, on the S. shore of the St. Lawrence, and on the. I. R., 54½ miles below Riviere du Loup, en bun. It contains, besides the county buildings, a Roman Catholic Cathedral, a number of stores, several hotels and a telegraph office. Vessels of the largest tonnage load her with timber for foreign ports. The value of exports for 1872 was $81,856. The sea bathing facilities here are unsurpassed and consequently induce a Large number of health seekers to visit it during the hot season. Pop. 1,185.
Lovell's gazetteer of British North America; J. Lovell; Montreal, 1873

1881 - Église de Sainte-Blandine established in Rimouski

www.gcatholic.org

1883 - Rimouski
Rimouski is a fine town, situated on the south or right bank of the St. Lawrence at 180 miles from Quebec. It is the largest town of the Lower St. Lawrence , being the chef-lieu of a large judiciary district and the see of a roman catholic bishopric. There is a court house and jail, a convent and classical college in this place.

The beach is flat, gravelly and most conveniently suited for sea bathing. The only inconvenient is the coldness of the water, which makes it dangerous for very weak persons to take baths in that locality.

The vicinity of the town is quite picturesque and surrounded by hills and mountains, while the Rimouski river, flowing into the St. Lawrence, affords the view of a fine stream , in which salmon and trout are caught.

Guide to Quebec and the Lower Saint-Lawrence .... (1883). Canada: éditeur non identifié.

1890 - CLERICAL INTERFERENCE.
Complaints to be Made to Rome About the Conduct of Mgr. Lafleche.

QUEBEC, July 5. - LeCanadian says complaints are to be made to Rome against Mgr. Lafleche, Bishop of Three Rivers, who is accused of meddling in politics; and that the elections for Three Rivers, Champlain and Maskinonge are to be contested on grounds of undue clerical influence. It also says Mgr. Guay, a priest in Rimouski, is to be cited before his diocesan for interfering in politics.
The Winnipeg Tribune
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
July 5, 1890

1895 - Rimouski
RIMOUSKI, a county of Quebec, comprises an area of 3,156,280 acres. The St. Lawrence forms its north boundary. Its capital is Rimouski. Pop. in 1891 over 33,430.
Crossby, Peter Alfred. Lovell's gazetteer of British North America. (John Lovell & Son)., 1895

1895 - Rimouski
Rimouski, a town and watering-place of Quebec, capital of Rimouski county, on the S. shore of the St. Lawrence and on the Intercolonial Railway, 543 miles below Rivière du Loup en Bas. It contains the county building, a cathedral, a number of stores, several hotels, &c. Vessels of the largest tonnage load here with timber for foreign ports. The sea-bathing facilities here induce a large number of health-seekers to visit it during the hot season. It is a Catholic bishop's sec. Pop. 1185.
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
Rimouski, a banking post-town, port of entry, and watering-place of Quebec, in Rimouski co., on the S. shore of the St. Lawrence and on the Intercolonial R., 54 1/ 2 miles below Rivere du Loup en Bas (Fraserville). It contains cathedrals, convents, seminary, etc. Vessels of the largest tonnage load here and the place is a port of call for ocean steamers. The bathing facilities here induce a large number of health-seekers to visit it during the heated season. A pier projects into the river for a distance of nearly a mile. Rimouski is a Catholic bishop's see. Pop. in 1901, 1804.
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

1950 - The "Red Night"
On May 6, 1950 Rimouski suffered a severe fire in which 319 houses burned to the ground. This event is known as La nuit rouge (French for Red Night). The fire originated in the Price Brothers Company yard on the left shore of the Rimouski River and quickly crossed the river and spread throughout the city pushed by strong winds, destroying half of the city. No one died in the blaze. Legend has it that a priest sprinkled holy water around the city's cathedral and that the fire would not cross the line.
wikipedia.org
May 6, 1950

In 1967, the city of Rimouski reached its current limits after the merger of the parish of Saint-Germain-de-Rimouski, the parish of Notre-Dame-du-Sacré-Coeur and the village of Nazareth.

grandquebec.com

Rimouski
Rimouski, Qué, City, pop 31 305 (2001c), 31 773 (1996c), 30 873 (1991c), 29 672 (1986c), area 76.18 km2, inc 1869, is located on the S shore of the ST LAWRENCE R, 300 km NE of Québec City. Greater Rimouski, with 46 210 (1986c) inhabitants, is the most populous area of eastern Québec. The charming city is built on 3 levels, in the shape of an amphitheatre. A seigneury was granted here in 1688, but it was not settled until 1696.
In the 18th century, agriculture and seasonal fishing were the only occupations, but the area experienced some growth when Québec City merchants, including William Price, began to develop the forest resources and built several sawmills.

The parish of St-Germain was established 1829; a courthouse was added in 1857 and a bishop's seat in 1867. The arrival of the railway made the town a centre for expansion into the GASPÉ and Matapédia. Its economy was based on the forest industry and services such as trade, teaching and government and church... Read MORE...

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Rimouski:
Parc National du Bic (Bic National Park): This stunning national park is a must-visit for nature lovers. It offers hiking trails, birdwatching opportunities, and breathtaking coastal views. Be sure to explore the various trails like Les Crêtes and Le Chemin-du-Nord to immerse yourself in the park's natural beauty.

Pointe-au-Père Maritime Historic Site: Explore the maritime history of Rimouski at this fascinating museum. You can visit the Empress of Ireland Pavilion, which commemorates the sinking of the RMS Empress of Ireland, or tour the Onondaga submarine, a decommissioned naval vessel.

Rimouski Oceanic Hockey Game: If you're a sports enthusiast, catch a hockey game featuring the Rimouski Oceanic, a major junior ice hockey team. The atmosphere at the Colisée Financière Sun Life is electric, and you'll get a taste of Canada's passion for hockey.

Le Village Enchanteur: Visit this enchanting village during the holiday season. It's transformed into a winter wonderland with... Read MORE...