A whisper of history clings to the air here on Cu00f4te-de-Terrebonne. Can you feel it?
This isn’t just a street. This is the artery of a community that stretches back centuries. Cu00f4te-de-Terrebonne saw its beginnings long before the modern city of Terrebonne existed. It was a vital link connecting the bustling commercial heart of Terrebonne with the quieter agricultural lands of Saint-Louis de Terrebonne. Imagine the horse-drawn carts rumbling along this very road. They carried goods produce and people between these two important areas. The road itself was a witness to the growth of Terrebonne.
Before the merger in 2001 Lachenaie La Plaine and Terrebonne were separate towns. Each held its own unique history. Lachenaie the oldest founded in 1683 by Lord Charles Aubert de Lachenaye. This was a place where Indigenous people lived long before colonization. It then joined the Repentigny Seigniory in 1647 changing the area forever. The arrival of Abbot Louis Lepage de Ste-Claire in 1720 marked a significant turning point. He acquired the Seigniory of Terrebonne and set about transforming it. He built the first church in 1734 and the first manor in 1735. He also had the foresight to build both a saw mill and a flour mill. These were vital to the area’s economic growth.
The nearby Ile-des-Moulins a place of national historical interest. Here stood the first flour mill ordered by Abbot Lepage in 1721. A saw mill followed around 1725. The bakery was built in 1803. The current saw and flour mills date from 1804 and 1846 respectively. The Moulin neuf New Mill was added in 1850. That same year the seigniory office opened. This small island played a pivotal role in the development of Terrebonne. The flow of the Riviu00e8re des Mille-Iles was controlled by a dam. This dam was rebuilt several times but eventually destroyed in 1972 due to flooding. A new dam and pedestrian walkway were built in 1979 creating a picturesque scene for visitors to enjoy. The Saint-Louis-de-France Church another landmark. Its current building dates to 1878. It contains a Casavant organ from 1946.
Today Cu00f4te-de-Terrebonne continues to connect communities. It is a vibrant part of modern Terrebonne. It silently tells stories of settlers of industry of faith. Take a moment to absorb the history that surrounds you on this charming street. Walk this path and truly understand the soul of Terrebonne.