HERITAGE | Old Port of Montréal

Territorial Recognition

The Old Port of Montréal Corporation salutes and acknowledges the local Mohawk communities that help us maintain a connection with this territory’s great Haudenosaunee culture. The Old Port is located along the majestic Saint Lawrence River, a place of great significance for local Indigenous communities.

Take a step back in time to learn about major milestones in the port’s history and the birth of the Old Port.

The first colonists arrived here on the shores of the St. Lawrence River, and it was thanks to the port that old Ville-Marie grew into the thriving international metropolis of modern-day Montréal.

NEW - A PHOTO EXHIBITION ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE OLD PORT OF MONTRÉAL!

The Old Port of Montréal - A Landmark in Canada's history - an exhibition located along the promenade between the Grand Quay and the St-Pierre entrance.

You can also explore the exhibition in an accessible PDF format.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR HERITAGE INITIATIVES

Our history

The founding of Montreal

1642

The founding of Montreal

Montréal is founded by Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve. The Lachine rapids prevented him from sailing further west, so he likely anchored at what is today the Old Port.

Figure 1, The Founding of Montreal, by Donald Kenneth Anderson
M976.179.3 | © Musée McCord

Fur trade expands

1760

Fur trade expands

The fur trade expands and the first port facilities are built. Instead of landing on muddy river banks, merchants build temporary wooden docks along the shore.

Figure 2, An East View of Montreal, in Canada, 1762, by Thomas Patten
M19848 | © Musée McCord

Steamship service between Montréal and Québec City

1809

Steamship service between Montréal and Québec City

The Accommodation becomes the first steamship to offer regular service between Montréal and Québec City. It departs from the pier of John Molson, owner of the vessel, west of the Bonsecours Chapel.

Figure 3, The steamship Accommodation works back upstream with the help of horses and oxen.
Archives de Montréal

Lachine Canal opens

1825

Lachine Canal opens

Official opening of the Lachine Canal, which made it possible to sail up the St. Lawrence to the Great Lakes.

Figure 4, Entrance to Lachine Canal, Montreal, QC, 1826, watercolour by unknown artist
MP-1976.288.2 | © Musée McCord

Creation of the Montréal Harbour Commission

1830

Creation of the Montréal Harbour Commission

The Montréal Harbour Commission is created to enlarge the port and improve facilities. The first phase of this work would take place over the next 20 years.

Figure 5, The Port of Montreal, 1830, by Robert Auchmuty Sproule
MP-1976.288.2 | © Musée McCord

A canal is dredged between Montréal and Lac Saint-Pierre

1850

A canal is dredged between Montréal and Lac Saint-Pierre

The Port of Montréal is now able to accommodate transoceanic ships. The railway industry begins to flourish.

Figure 6, Trans-Atlantic ships and train cars in the Port of Montréal, ca. 1872.
MP-0000.1452.53 | © Musée McCord

Victoria Bridge is opened, allowing trains to cross the river

1859

Victoria Bridge is opened, allowing trains to cross the river

Montréal becomes Canada’s primary hub for rail and maritime transport.

Figure 7, Grand Finale of Fire-Works in Honor of the Prince of Wales and the Successful Completion of the Victoria Bridge, Montreal, Canada East
M975.62.263.3 | © Musée McCord

Transcontinental train

1886

Transcontinental train

The first transcontinental train departs from the port.

Figure 8, Wood from British Columbia transported by train to Montréal, 1890.
II-93180 | © Musée McCord

The federal government allocates one million dollars to upgrade port facilities

1898

The federal government allocates one million dollars to upgrade port facilities

Major infrastructure built during this period includes concrete quays, steel storage sheds, docks and grain elevators.

Figure 9, The last rivet driven into place marks the official opening of Shed 11, the first of the Port of Montréal’s permanent warehouses.
Port de Montréal – Archives | APM-0934

Cold-storage warehouse is opened

1922

Cold-storage warehouse is opened

Clock Tower is inaugurated and cold-storage warehouse is opened. Montréal is the most important grain port in the world.

Figure 10, Cold storage plant in harbour, Montreal, QC, ca. 1925
MP-0000.25.234 | © Musée McCord

Peak annual tonnage

1928

Peak annual tonnage

Annual tonnage reaches its peak: over 12.5 million tonnes of merchandise transit the Port of Montréal.

Figure 11, Bananas from the Antilles arrive at the Port of Montréal, for shipment by train to the rest of Canada.
MSTC/Collection : CN Photo 31279
Musée des sciences et de la technologie du Canada

Inauguration of the Montréal Harbour Bridge

1930

Inauguration of the Montréal Harbour Bridge

The bridge is renamed the Jacques-Cartier Bridge a few years later.

Figure 12, Jacques-Cartier Bridge, Montréal
Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec / Notice 0002632544

Opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway

1959

Opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway

Ocean-going vessels can now reach the Great Lakes without stopping in Montréal. The port experiences a drop in activity.

Figure 13, Opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway, June 26, 1959
Auteur inconnu

Old Montréal is declared a historic district

1963

Old Montréal is declared a historic district

Figure 14, Place d’Armes, Old Montreal.
Denis Tremblay / Source : www.vieux.montreal.qc.ca

Lachine Canal is closed to shipping

1970

Lachine Canal is closed to shipping

Figure 15, View of the locks sector after the canal is filled in.
© Société du Vieux-Port de Montréal

The Port is moved farther east

1976

The Port is moved farther east

The Port is moved farther east, putting an end to port activities in Old Montréal. The Port of Montréal specializes in handling containers and soon receives its one millionth container.

Figure 16, One of the Port of Montréal’s container terminals.
© Port de Montréal

Plans for redevelopment

1977

Plans for redevelopment

The Canadian government announces its intention to redevelop the area left vacant by the port’s move. Subsequent years see public consultations on its future vocation.

Figure 17, Final public consultation report on the future of the Old Port of Montréal.
© Société du Vieux-Port de Montréal

The Old Port of Montréal Corporation is established

1981

The Old Port of Montréal Corporation is established

A linear park is created along Rue de la Commune, and six of the eight rail lines are removed.

Clock Tower is restored

1982

Clock Tower is restored

Grain Elevator No. 1 (near the entrance to Alexandra Quay) is demolished to improve access to the river, in accordance with public wishes.

Master plan is submitted and approved

1987

Master plan is submitted and approved

The Old Port of Montréal Corporation master plan is submitted and approved, advocating the enhancement of the site and its rediscovery by Montréalers.

Figure 20, One of the enhancement proposals that would culminate in the Old Port of Montréal Corporation’s master plan.
© Société du Vieux-Port de Montréal

The Old Port site gets a makeover

1989

The Old Port site gets a makeover

Development plans and work on the Bonsecours Basin, the Jacques-Cartier Quay and other facilities.

Figure 21, Aerial view of Bonsecours Basin and Pavillion after completion of development work.
© Société du Vieux-Port de Montréal

Inauguration of the “New Old Port of Montréal”

1992

Inauguration of the “New Old Port of Montréal”

On the 350th anniversary of Montréal’s founding

Figure 22, Visitors flock to the Old Port during Montréal’s 350th birthday celebrations.
© Archives de la Ville de Montréal / VM71

The Montréal Science Centre opens on May 1

2000

The Montréal Science Centre opens on May 1

Lachine Canal reopens to pleasure boaters

2002

Lachine Canal reopens to pleasure boaters

Figure 24, The locks sector after the reopening.
Source inconnue

Vision Development

2005

Vision Development

The government and Old Port of Montréal Corporation adopt the 2005–2015 Vision Development, a plan to enhance the Old Port’s recreational, tourism and cultural infrastructure.

Figure 25, Overview of the Vision at completion.
Production: Graph Synergie

The Old Port welcomes six million visitors annually

2017

The Old Port welcomes six million visitors annually