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flag  History of Yamaska, Québec, Canada

Journey back in time to Yamaska, Québec, Canada

(Saint-Michel-d'Yamaska)

Visit Yamaska, Québec, Canada. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and ancestry.

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Yamaska, Québec, Canada - Eglise St-Michel dYamaska (Canada) 141, rue Principale, Yamaska, QUÉBEC Established 1833

Yamaska, Québec, Canada

The town of Yamaska is part of the regional county municipality of Pierre-de-Saurel – formerly known as the MRC du Bas-Richelieu, located in the administrative region of Montérégie.

The name of the municipality refers to Mont Yamaska (at an altitude of 411 meters) and the Yamaska River. In the Iroquois language, this word means “place where rushes grow”. This name refers to the mouth of the Yamaska River where you can still see the marshes that surround Lavallière Bay.

The municipality of Yamask covers more than 74 square kilometers.

The current municipality of Yamaska was created on December 19, 2001, following the consolidation of Saint-Michel de Yamaska, Yamaska-Est and Yamaska.

Yamaska is a renowned vacation spot, whose constructions near Baie Saint-François are typical of floodplains. The chalets are erected on stilts.

HISTORY OF SAINT-MICHEL-D’YAMASKA
This former municipality of Montérégie is located 15 km east of Sorel, between Sainte-Anne-de-Sorel to the west and Saint-François-du-Lac to the east. The major element of the landscape remains the Yamaska River, which flows through the center of the territory, which also encompasses that of the municipalities of the villages of Yamaska and Yamaska-Est to form Grand-Yamaska. We must go back to the beginning of the 16th century to determine the beginnings of territorial development with the canonical erection of the parish of Saint-Michel-d'Yamaska in 1722, confirmed in 1838. Erected in 1727, it will be at the origin of the municipality of the same name established in 1855.

Yamaska, for its part, which identifies the river, comes, according to Father Guinard, from the Amerindian iyamakaw, “there is a lot of rush, hay”. The Maskoutains, who share their collective name with the citizens of Saint-Hyacinthe, Saint-Hyacinthe-le-Confesseur, Yamaska and Yamaska Est, were once mostly farmers and took advantage of the abundance of hay, as evidenced by the Native American constituent of the municipal name. Today, the wood and brick trade is the mainstay of the local economy.

grandquebec.com

There is MUCH more to discover about Yamaska, Québec, Canada. Read on!

Yamaska Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards

Eglise St-Michel d'Yamaska (Canada)
141, rue Principale, Yamaska, QUÉBEC
Established 1833
Yamaska, Québec, Canada

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Eglise St-Michel d'Yamaska (Canada)
141, rue Principale, Yamaska, QUÉBEC
Established 1833

Yamaska, Québec, Canada

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Couvent des Soeurs L'Assomption
Yamaska, Québec, Canada

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Couvent des Soeurs L'Assomption

Discover Yamaska: History, News, Travel, and Stories

Add informationAdd History/News/Story
In 1694, Michel Leneuf sold it to Pierre Petit dit Gobin who undertook the construction of a first chapel (on the island of the Domaine).
The settlement of the region only really began in the 1720s, and the municipality of the parish of Saint-Michel-de-Yamaska was incorporated in civil law in 1845.
grandquebec.com
1832 - YAMASKA,
seigniory, in the co. of Yamaska, is bounded N.E. by St. Francois; S.W. by Sorel and Bonsecoeurs; in the rear by Bourgmarie East; in front by Lake St. Peter. This property is described in the title to be only about a half a league in front, but in reality it is 1 1/ 2 league by 3 leagues in depth. Granted, Sept. 24, 1683, to M. de Lavaliere and is now the property of J. M. de Tonnacour, Esq. - Cultivation of a favourable description extends over nearly one half of the seigniory; the different concessions, large and small, amount to upwards of 160, lying on each side of the River Yamsaka, by the Petit Chenail, and in the Cotes St. Louis and Ste. Catherine. The Bay of La Vallier or Yamaksa, extends across the upper part of it into Sorel, and that of St. Francois makes rather a deep incision on its eastern side; immediately surrounding these bays the land is low and marshy, but a short distance from them are many large tracts of most excellent meadow; farther to the rear the soil is rich... Read MORE...

1833 - Église de Saint-Michel established at Yamaska

www.gcatholic.org
1835 - Yamaska County
Yamaska County is bounded on the north-west by lake St. Peter, north-east by Nicolet county, south east by Drummond county, and south-west by Richelieu county. This county is about twenty miles long from north-east to south-west, and fifteen miles wide, and contains two hundred and eighty-three square miles. This county comprehends the Seigniories of LaBaieduFebvre, Courval, Lausaudiere, Pierreville, St. Francais, Yamaska, East Bourgnoice and Dequire. Much of the soil of this county is of a good quality, and some parts of it are in a high state of cultivation. Along the lake is an extensive tract of low meadow land, which is interersected by numerous clear rivulets, and in summer affords excellent pasturage. The eastern part, of the county is watered by a branch of the Nicolet; the St. Francis passes through the central part, and the Yamaska river falls into Lake St. Peter in the western part. The principal places are St. Antoine, Indian Village on the St. Francis, and Yamaska on... Read MORE...

1851 - School Fire
The Grand Jury of the Court of Queen's Bench, at Three Rivers, ignored the Bill against Mr. Forquin, M. P. P. and others, charged with having set fire to a school house at Yamaska. Five school rioters were convicted, and three of the witnesses were tried and convicted of perjury for denying the truth of the statements they had made in their preliminary examinations.
New-York Tribune
New York, New York
February 25, 1851
1851 - Washed Away
The Yamaska, a tributary of the St. Lawrence, in Canada, has undermined and washed away 72 acres of land, with three houses, out houses, cattle, horses, one woman and two children. Also 3,000 cords of wood.
Daily Free Democrat
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
May 3, 1851
The contemporary history of Yamaska begins in 1683 with the concession made to Michel Leneuf de La Vallière et de Beaubassin.

grandquebec.com
1873
YAMASKA. a county of Quebec. It is centrally situated, and drained by the Nicolet, St. Francis and Yamaska Rivers, entering Lake St. Peter, which bounds it on the N.W. Capital, St. Francois. Pop. 16,317

YAMASKA. a flourishing post village in Yamaska co., Que , on the River Yamaska, 31 miles from St. Hyacinthe. It contains a telegraph office, 4 stores, and several mills. Pop. 800.
Lovell's gazetteer of British North America; J. Lovell; Montreal, 1873
1875 - September 28, 1875 - Intercolonial train derailed near Yamaska by heavy timbers on the track, killing ten; probably sabotage or vandalism.

canadachannel.ca/ todayincanadianhistory/ index.php/ September_28
1884 - Bridge Blown Down
St. Hyacinthe, Quebec., Dec. 15. - The first span of the new bridge, being erected across the river at Yamaska, was blown down to-day. A man named Allard and several others were injured.

Later - Allard is dead. A man named St. Germain and another are dying and fifteen others are seriously, though not fatally, injured.
The Inter Ocean
Chicago, Illinois
December 16, 1884
1894 - Shaken by an Earthquake
YAMASKA, Quebec, November 12. - Earthquake shocks, quite violent, and lasting about ten seconds, were felt here last night at 11.40 o'clock. They were accompanied by a low rumbling sound which appeared to be from west to east.
Altoona Tribune
Altoona, Pennsylvania
November 13, 1894
1895 - Yamaska
Yamaska, a post-village in Yamaska co., Quebec, on the river Yamaska, 31 miles N. of St. Hyacinthe. It contains 4 stores and several mills. Pop. 800.
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
1896 - Hail Storm on Sunday
Yamaska, Que., May 11. - At 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon it hailed for over a minute, entirely covering the ground with hail stones the size of pigeon's eggs. The storm was accompanied by strong north winds, followed by a heavy shower. A number of church windows were broken and also those of several houses.
The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
May 11, 1896
1897 - Poor Crops
Yamaska, Que., June 3. - Crops here and vicinity have a very poor appearance. Farmers think that hay especially will be scarce. General outlook is discouraging on account of constant low temperature and rainy weather. This place was visited by a light front a few days ago which did little damage to gardening. Many farmers are still seeding.
The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
June 9, 1897
Here's a list of places to visit and things to do in Yamaska, Quebec:
Yamaska National Park (Parc national de la Yamaska): This is the crown jewel of the region, offering a wide range of outdoor activities. You can hike, bike, or cross-country ski on the park's scenic trails. The park is also known for its water activities, including kayaking, canoeing, and swimming in the pristine waters of Lake Yamaska.

Camping: Yamaska National Park offers excellent camping facilities. Spend a night or more under the stars, surrounded by nature. It's a great way to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Bird Watching: The park is a birdwatcher's paradise. With over 230 bird species recorded, it's a great place for bird enthusiasts. Don't forget your binoculars and camera!

Yamaska Beach: Enjoy a day at the beach on the shores of Lake Yamaska. It's a perfect spot for sunbathing, picnicking, or playing beach volleyball. The water is usually quite refreshing on a hot summer day.

Biking Trails: Yamaska offers a network of biking trails suitable... Read MORE...

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Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Yamaska, Québec, Canada

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Our Yamaska Gift Ideas

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Poutine, Tourtière and Tarte au Sucre - I Love Québec! - Ceramic Mug

Savor the flavors of Québec with every sip from our vibrant Ceramic Mug! Crafted with love, this mug is a tribute to the iconic culinary delights of Québec, featuring mouthwatering illustrations of Poutine, Tourtière, and Tarte au Sucre. If you're passionate about Québecois cuisine or simply want to show your love for this beautiful province, this mug is the perfect choice.

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Updated: 9/15/2023 4:46:58 PM