Once upon a time, melons grew where we now stand in Town of Mount-Royal. But that’s just the beginning of this town’s unique story.
Town of Mount-Royal, or TMR as some call it, officially came to life in 1912. It’s an affluent town located on the northwest side of Mount Royal. It is completely surrounded by Montreal.
But why was Town of Mount-Royal founded in the first place? The Canadian Northern Railway needed funds. They planned to build a tunnel under Mount Royal. This tunnel would connect the railway to downtown Montreal. Town of Mount-Royal was their solution.
Frederick Todd, a talented planner, designed the town. He drew inspiration from the Garden City Movement and the City Beautiful movement. His vision was to create a model city at the foot of Mount Royal. The Canadian Northern Railway bought 4800 acres of farmland to make this happen. They built a rail tunnel under the mountain. The profits helped finance the railway’s expansion.
Henry Wicksteed, the railway’s chief engineer, based his town design loosely on Washington D.C. Think of wide streets and green spaces. The Town of Mount-Royal coat of arms holds special meaning. The royal crown symbolizes French origin. Two heraldic roses represent English roots. The stylized mountain signifies the town’s location. Regium Donum inscribed on the scroll means “gift of the king”.
One of the quirks of Town of Mount-Royal is its street naming and numbering. Some streets change names when they enter the town. Jean Talon Street becomes Dresden Avenue for a short stretch. The house numbering also changes. It’s a unique feature that adds character to Town of Mount-Royal.
Initially, Town of Mount-Royal was a farming community. It was famous for its melons. The Daoust family grew the celebrated Montreal melon. These melons were large and flavorful. People in New York, Chicago, and Boston paid a premium to taste them. Over time, farming gave way to urbanization.
For a few years, starting in 2002, Town of Mount-Royal was merged into Montreal. But the residents wanted their independence back. After a referendum, it became its own town again in 2006.
Laird Boulevard and Graham Boulevard cross Town of Mount-Royal diagonally. They meet at Connaught Park in the center. The Mount Royal Train Station connects the town to downtown in minutes.
Highways and a rail line surround Town of Mount-Royal on three sides. The Metropolitan Boulevard, part of Autoroute 40, goes through Town of Mount-Royal at ground level. This was a special request to separate the town from the industrial area. A fence runs along the eastern border with Park Extension.
In 2008, Town of Mount-Royal was designated a National Historic Site of Canada. This recognized its unique urban planning.
Today, Town of Mount-Royal continues to be a desirable place to live. It balances historical charm with modern living. As we conclude our visit, remember the melons, the railway, and the vision that created this garden city.