Master of our Enemies and Ourselves. That’s La Prairie’s motto. A fitting declaration for a city with such a rich and layered history. We stand today in La Prairie a vibrant off-island suburb of Montreal. Nestled where the Saint-Jacques River meets the mighty Saint Lawrence River.
La Prairie boasts a past far older than its official founding in 1845. Long before European settlement Indigenous peoples called this area Kentaké meaning at the prairie. French Jesuits arrived in 1647. They were granted the land by Jacques de La Ferté and the Company of One Hundred Associates. The area was initially known as La Prairie de la Magdelaine or Franu00e7ois-Xavier-des-Pru00e9s. It’s a little-known fact that the life of Kateri Tekakwitha the Lily of the Mohawks unfolded partly here.
Imagine the scene in 1691. The echoes of battle ring out. Pieter Schuyler’s Anglo-Iroquois expedition clashes here. Two battles shaping the destiny of this land. The Seven Years’ War concluded in 1763. La Prairie then became part of the Province of Quebec within the British Empire.
La Prairie’s strategic location fueled its growth. It served as a vital transportation link. Ferries connected Montreal to the land route to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu is a gateway to Lake Champlain and the Hudson River. The Champlain and St Lawrence Railroad arrived in 1836. It was the first railway line in British North America. This rail line significantly boosted the village’s commerce. River transport also played a crucial role in La Prairie’s prosperity.
Today La Prairie continues to thrive. Its population has grown to over 26000. La Prairie’s growth shows a population increase of 9.5% between 2016 and 2021. The city’s blend of old and new is striking. Modern architecture sits beside historic buildings. A testament to La Prairie’s enduring spirit. A spirit reflected in its motto Master of our Enemies and Ourselves. La Prairie is a place where history whispers. Where the past and present intertwine. La Prairie truly is a captivating destination.