Imagine riverside settlements marked by Iroquois conflicts. Today we explore Riviere-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles. This Montreal borough carries stories from centuries past. It is located northeast of Montreal. It consists of Riviere-des-Prairies and Pointe-aux-Trembles.
Riviere-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles is the largest borough in Montreal. It covers 42.3 square kilometers. In 2021, it had a population of 107941 people.
The area once included Montreal-Est. Montreal-Est later separated. Let’s explore its origins.
The Riviere des Prairies was originally named Skawanoti. Skawanoti means the river behind the island in Huron. Samuel de Champlain renamed it. He honored Francois des Prairies. Francois was a lost companion during an exploration. English speakers call it Back River.
Until 1671, establishing a parish was impossible. Iroquois used the river to raid Montreal Island. Dollier de Casson erected two fiefs. This was to stop Iroquois incursions. He granted land to settlers who could fight. They would help Philippe de Carrion Dufresnoy and Paul de Maurel.
The first land grant was at the island’s end. The Battle of Riviere-des-Prairies occurred there. It was a fight between 25 Frenchmen and about 100 Iroquois.
A village started forming in 1731. Two streets appeared with three houses. Riviere-des-Prairies became a municipality in 1910. Electricity arrived between 1929 and 1933. This was thanks to Montreal Light Heat and Power.
After the war, Montreal’s housing shortage grew. Many families settled in the municipality. Riviere-des-Prairies became a city in 1954. It had about 6500 residents then. Infrastructure development led to debt. The city was placed under supervision in 1962. Jean Drapeau approved annexation in 1963. Riviere-des-Prairies then joined Montreal.
In the early 1660s, the Sulpicians encouraged settlement. This area faced Iroquois threats. A fort was built around 1690. It defended Montreal Island. It protected the riverbanks. These banks had many trembling aspen trees. That fort became Pointe-aux-Trembles’ village core.
A bronze plaque marks the Battle of Coulee Grou. This is near Gouin Boulevard and Rue Bureau. French colonists fought Iroquois there. Historical sites along Rue Notre-Dame recall New France’s history. General Murray landed near Parc Clementine-De La Rousseliere. He crossed from Ile Sainte-Therese. Then he marched on Montreal.
Pointe-aux-Trembles grew in the 1700s. This was due to the construction of Chemin du Roy. It was the road linking Montreal and Quebec. Pointe-aux-Trembles served as a relay point for travelers. Today it is a residential area.
In 1974, the city changed Daniel-Johnson Boulevard. It became Tricentenaire Boulevard. It marks where a point of land with aspens once stood.
Pointe-aux-Trembles twinned with Neuville-sur-Vanne in 1974. Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve was baptized in Neuville-sur-Vanne. A tremble tree was planted in each town. A street in Neuville-sur-Vanne is named Pointe-aux-Trembles. A park in Pointe-aux-Trembles is named Neuville-sur-Vanne.
Pointe-aux-Trembles faced financial issues in 1982. The city was annexed by Montreal.
In 2002, Riviere-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles became a Montreal borough. It was initially named Riviere-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles–Montreal-Est. This was due to Montreal-Est’s integration. A referendum occurred in 2004. Montreal-Est voted to reconstitute its municipality. The borough lost Montreal-Est in 2006. It became Riviere-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles.
Today Riviere-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles has two major nature parks. They are Pointe-aux-Prairies Nature Park and Ruisseau-De Montigny Nature Park. They offer recreational activities. They also have two major cultural attractions. The Suncor refinery is located in this borough. It processes 160000 barrels per day.
Now you know a bit more about Riviere-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles. Its history is marked by rivers, battles, and growth. It is a unique part of Montreal.