Fancy a journey back in time? Dorval’s story begins over 350 years ago. We are standing in Dorval. It is a city with a rich past.
In 1665, Sulpician priests established a mission here. This was on the outskirts of Ville-Marie. Ville-Marie later became Montreal. Dorval was first named Gentilly. Later, it was renamed La Présentation-de-la-Vierge-Marie.
In 1691, Jean-Baptiste Bouchard acquired the domain. His father added “d’Orval” to Bouchard’s name. This referred to his birthplace in France. The area officially became Dorval.
Dorval transformed over the years. In 1892, it was incorporated as a village. It became a town in 1903. By 1956, Dorval was a city.
The Grand Trunk Railway arrived in 1855. It attracted wealthier families seeking summer homes. These families wanted to be close to Montreal. Streetcar service further eased access to Dorval.
After World War II, many middle-class families moved here. They came from Montreal and other parts of Canada. Highway 20 was widened. Large-scale housing construction occurred. This made the move possible. Dorval Gardens shopping center opened in 1954. It was one of Greater Montreal’s first malls.
Dorval Island is located less than one kilometer offshore. It is a separate city called L’Île-Dorval. It began as a summer cottage community.
In 2002, Dorval merged into Montreal. It combined with L’Île-Dorval. Together, they formed the Dorval–L’Île-Dorval borough. After a referendum, Dorval became a city again in 2006. The municipal government still calls itself the “Cité de Dorval”.
Today, Dorval has a population of over 19,000. It has a unique character. It blends historical charm with modern life.
Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport is in Dorval. It was once a military airfield. During World War II, it refueled fighters and bombers. They were on their way to Great Britain. Now, the airport serves over 18 million passengers each year. It occupies 60% of Dorval’s land.
Dorval is a bilingual municipality. This means both English and French are commonly spoken. Air Inuit and La Senza have their headquarters here. Also, Bombardier Aerospace’s headquarters are in Dorval.
Dorval’s story is one of constant evolution. From its early days as a mission to its current status as a vibrant city. Dorval remains a significant part of Montreal’s landscape. It is a place where history and progress meet.