History of Sainte-Agathe, Québec, Canada

Beginning in 1850, a rapid colonization of the region began. The arriving families were primarily of French Catholic background.
It was in 1849 that three first settlers, Narcisse Ménard, Olivier and Jean-Baptiste Dufresne, settled on the shores of Lac à la Truite, once frequented by the Weskarinis. Then, other “openers of countries” come to join them to form, little by little, a parish then a village.


The proclamation of the township of Beresford and the township of Morin on this territory took place in 1852, followed by the proclamation of the township of Doncaster, in 1858. But it was in 1853 that the Sainte-Agathe mission was founded.
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In 1865, the land on which the church stands was donated to the parish by Dr. Euseble Larocque, brother of the Monsignor. Dr. Larocque had amassed a fortune in the California Gold Rush and had decided to live the life of a seigneur.
The first chapel was erected there in 1861. Four years later, the parishioners had their parish church built.
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The English Protestant community grew from the time the train first arrived in 1892.
Since 1892, with the inauguration of the Petit Train du Nord by the Montreal and Occidental Railway, the region has become the first resort in the Laurentians.
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With the completion of a railroad to Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts in 1892, the town experienced a rapid increase in population.
Between 1892 and 1911, a number of spas and hospitals were established.
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The official constitution of the municipality of Sainte-Agathe took place in 1893.

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1895 - Sainte Agathe des Monts / Beresford
Sainte Agathe des Monts, or Ber’esford, a post-village in Terrebonne co., Quebec, on the North River, 60 miles N. of Montreal. It has a church, 4 stores, 4 hotels, 4 saw-mills, and 2 grist-mills.
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

As early as 1898, the municipality was recognized as one of the best-lit municipalities in Quebec.
Around 1910, it became self-sufficient in terms of hydroelectricity, then began to serve the surrounding villages, which it did until 1965, two years after the nationalization of electricity.
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In 1899, a tuberculosis hospital was founded by Dr. Arthur Richer. Elizabeth Wand, a nurse from New York City established a spa, which today still operates as Auberge Tour du Lac.
In 1895, Elizabeth Wand, a nurse from New York, discovered that the dry air of Sainte-Agathe was very beneficial for victims of tuberculosis. She then founded an establishment which she called Quisisana meaning “here is health”. This house will later be sold to Richard Wilson Smith and has since become the Auberge de la Tour du Lac. At the end of the 19th century, Dr. Richer opened a tuberculosis sanatorium in the area on Chemin de la Montagne, which leads to Lac à la Truite. Then, in 1909, the Jewish community of Montreal opened Mount Sinai Sanatorium, a convalescent center for victims of tuberculosis in Préfontaine. The main donor for the new establishment is Mr. Mortimer Barnett Davis, founder of the Imperial Tobacco Company.
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1906 - Sainte Agathe des Monts
Sainte Agathe des Monts, a post-village of Terrebonne co., Quebec, on the North River, 60 miles N. of Montreal, on the Canadian Pacific R., It has saw and grist-mills, etc. Pop. in 1901, 1073.
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

The church of Sainte-Agathe was erected in 1907, according to the plans of the architects Gauthier and Daoust of Montreal.

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In 1915, the village of Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts became a town.

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There is also a smaller Anglican church, "Holy Trinity Anglican Parish", in the town. In 1926 the Lord Bishop of the Anglican Church of Montreal presided over the dedication of the current building.

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A dam on the Rivière du Nord was erected in 1930 to supply a hydroelectric power station.

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Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts
Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Qué, Town, pop 9679 (2006c), 8687 (2001cA), inc 1915. Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts is located in the Rivière Nord Valley on the shore of magnificent Lac des Sables. Called the "Metropolis of the Laurentides," it is the region's oldest tourist centre. From 1849 to 1861, 27 families colonized the area, followed by 35 others from 1861 to 1865.

In the 19th century, Sainte-Agathe had only a few sawmills, but the construction of the Montreal and Occidental Railway in 1892 (replaced by the CPR in 1900) encouraged tourism and the development of the hotels that have become the region's economic mainstay. Today, most employment is in commerce, the service sector and hotels. Resort goers triple the local population.
The Canadian Encyclopedia

The current city of Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts was incorporated in 2002, following mergers with the municipalities of Sainte-Agathe-Sud and, more recently, with Sainte-Agathe-Nord.

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2023 - There's something for everyone in Sainte-Agathe. Here's a list of places to go and things to do in this picturesque town:
Lac des Sables (Lake of Sands): Start your visit with a leisurely stroll along the shores of Lac des Sables, the town's stunning centerpiece. You can swim, sunbathe, or rent a paddleboat to explore the lake. In the winter, it's a popular spot for ice skating and ice fishing.

Hiking in Parc des Campeurs: The Parc des Campeurs offers numerous hiking trails suitable for all skill levels. It's a great way to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Laurentians. Don't forget to bring your camera to capture the scenic views.

Le P'tit Train du Nord: This former railway line has been converted into a multi-use trail that's perfect for biking, hiking, or cross-country skiing, depending on the season. You can rent bikes or skis in town if you didn't bring your own.

The Village Market: If you're visiting on a Saturday morning between May and October, head to The Village Market. It's a farmer's market where you can pick up fresh, locally-produced food and artisanal... Read MORE...