History of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Québec, Canada

The first attempt to settle in these places was made in 1673, when the seigneury of Châteauguay was granted to Sieur Charles Lemoyne de Longueuil.
However, it was not until the end of the 18th century that the settlement of the region really began with the arrival of several settlers who came to take possession of the land. According to the research of Bishop Lionel Groulx, the pioneers considered the region of Valleyfield as a "mysterious region, the land of werewolves, fantastic will-o'-the-wisps and legendary stagnations".
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It was not until 1795 that Mr. Alexander Ellice, a wealthy English merchant and new owner of the seigniory, began to organize his estate.
First, he renamed his property Annfield in honor of his wife. Then he divides the land into twelve sections and gives each the names of his children.
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In 1842, in order to avoid the Cèdres and Saint-Timothée du Saint-Laurent rapids and thus open the way to the Great Lakes, the government decided to dig a canal between Saint-Louis and Saint-François lakes.
After the inauguration of the canal, the population of the city of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield increases rapidly to reach a population of two thousand souls. In a short time, hotels, shops and factories were opened there.
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In 1855, Pointe-du-Lac was incorporated under the name of Sainte-Cécile parish. Mr. Amable Thibeault becomes the first resident priest and Mr. Charles Dépocas the first mayor.
At the same time, in 1854, the first paper factory and a mechanical sawmill were set up at the head of the Beauharnois canal and a little later, the Alexander Buntin company bought the paper factory. This early industry in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield made the city known across the country, as most newspaper owners in Canada bought newsprint there. The factory was sold in 1875 to the Montreal Cotton Company.
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The actual city was founded in 1874, the first mayor was Moise Plante. The first settlers arrived in 1798.
At that moment, the settlement was named Pointe-du-Lac (Lake Point). The colony was then renamed Saranac, then Sainte-Cécile. Salaberry-de-Valleyfield was officially named in 1874 after Colonel Charles de Salaberry who served with the British army during the War of 1812. "Valleyfield" came from the Valleyfield Mills, a paper mill south of Edinburgh in Scotland.
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In 1874, the parish of Sainte-Cécile became the town of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield.
The choice of the name of the municipality was not easy: the first mayor, Mr. Dépocas, proposed the name of Salaberry in homage to Colonel Charles-Michel de Salaberry who commanded the Canadian troops in 1813 during the Battle of Châteauguay, while near the city. In turn, Mr. Buntin, boss of the paper factory which brought a lot of money to the town, preferred the name of Valleyfield to recall a very well-known paper factory which was in Scotland, in Penicuik, namely the Valleyfield Mills. The discussions were heated and fights even took place in the streets between the supporters of the two options. Finally, for once, the residents were reasonable and combined the two names.
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From 1892 to 1901, the city of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield experienced the most brilliant period of its existence thanks to the economic benefits of its industries.
The population grew and, in 1901, the city became the county seat of Beauharnois.
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After the opening of the new Beauharnois canal in 1930 and after the Second World War, the city's industries diversified with the arrival, among others, of the chemical industries.
Salaberry-de-Valleyfield then became one of the most important industrial centers in Canada.
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With the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1961, deep-water port facilities were added to the existing industrial structure and dozens of transatlantic liners provided regular transport between Salaberry-de-Valleyfield and world trade centers.

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Here's a list of places to go and things to do in the Salaberry-de-Valleyfield area:
Valleyfield Heritage Walking Tour: Start your exploration of the city with a guided or self-guided heritage walking tour. You'll discover the rich history of Valleyfield through its well-preserved architecture, including historic homes, churches, and industrial buildings.

Sainte-Cécile Church: Visit this beautiful church, a local landmark known for its stunning architecture and peaceful atmosphere. The church often hosts cultural events and concerts, so check the schedule for any upcoming performances.

Écomusée du fier monde: Located in the heart of Valleyfield, this museum offers a glimpse into the industrial history of the region. It's a great place to learn about the city's past and its development.

Saint-Timothée Wildlife Refuge: If you enjoy the outdoors, head to this wildlife refuge. You can explore hiking trails, observe local wildlife, and even go bird-watching. It's a peaceful retreat for nature enthusiasts.

Parc des Îles: This scenic park is located on the... Read MORE...