Did you know Nuns’ Island Bridge almost went by another name? This bridge connects Nuns’ Island to Montreal. It is an important part of the city’s infrastructure. But before it was the Nuns’ Island Bridge, it was nearly called something else entirely.
Originally, the project was indeed known as the Nuns’ Island Bridge. This was simply because it crossed Nuns’ Island. In 1958, a decision changed everything. The bridge received a new name. It was named the Champlain Bridge. This renaming honored the explorer Samuel de Champlain.
Nuns’ Island itself has a rich history. It was initially called Île Saint-Paul. This honored Paul de Chomedey, Sieur de Maisonneuve. He was the founder of Montreal. Jean de Lauzon acquired the island in 1634. He later became governor of New France.
In 1664, Lauzon divided the island. He split it into three equal parts. The recipients were prominent citizens of Ville-Marie. These included Jacques Le Ber. Also Claude Robutel de Saint-André. And Jean de la Vigne. Eventually, the nuns of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame acquired the island. They became the sole owners in 1769. This ownership gave the island its unofficial name. It was attested since the early 19th century.
The nuns farmed the land for many years. They built houses and agricultural buildings. In 1899, the island became a municipality. It was called L’Île-Saint-Paul. This was due to a tax dispute with Verdun.
In 1956, the nuns sold the island. The Quebec Home and Mortgage Co. Ltd. purchased it. That same year, the provincial government merged it with Verdun. The name Île des Sœurs became official. The nuns left the island entirely in 1957.
The development of Nuns’ Island took off. This happened with the opening of the Champlain Bridge in 1962. The Metropolitan Structures company of Chicago carried out the urbanization. They followed a master plan by Johnson, Johnson, and Roy.
Today, the Nuns’ Island Bridge still plays a vital role. It facilitates travel and commerce. It links Nuns’ Island with the rest of Montreal. It stands as a testament to the island’s past. Its near renaming adds another layer to its story. So as you cross the Nuns’ Island Bridge, remember its journey. A journey from Île Saint-Paul to Nuns’ Island. And from the Nuns’ Island Bridge to the Champlain Bridge. A name that ultimately stuck for the larger bridge complex nearby.