Pierrefonds, Quebec
Encyclopedia
Pierrefonds was a city on the Island of Montreal
. It ceased to exist on January 1, 2002. The city was located along the Rivière des Prairies
at the western end of the island. Its final population was 54,963.
, which was composed at the time of Pierrefonds, L'Île-Bizard
, Sainte-Geneviève
, Roxboro
and Dollard-des-Ormeaux.
In 1904, following several previous divisions, the Town of Sainte-Geneviève was split into two new villages: Sainte-Geneviève and Sainte-Geneviève de Pierrefonds. This was the first appearance of the name Pierrefonds. At the heart of the conflict leading to the separation was famous notary Joseph-Adolphe Chauret, who, in 1902, had a "seigniorial" residence built for himself reminiscent of the community of Pierrefonds in France’s Department of Oise. He named his thatched home "Château Pierrefonds", apparently providing the name for the future city.
Curiously, in 1935, the two villages of Sainte-Geneviève and Sainte-Geneviève de Pierrefonds merged once again into a single village called Sainte-Geneviève. The name Pierrefonds disappeared, resurfacing on December 18, 1958, when the rest of the territory of the old parish became the City of Pierrefonds.
. Initially, it was merged with the former city of Senneville
, but when that city's residents were allowed to vote whether or not to stay in Montreal, they chose not to. Residents of Pierrefonds were not allowed to separate, however, and on 2006-01-01, they merged with the former city of Roxboro
to form the Montreal borough of Pierrefonds-Roxboro. This was mainly due to the fact the borough wanted to complete the area with the former town of Roxboro and not have any gaps like the former Dollard des Ormeaux/Roxboro borough.
Inspired by an engraving of the feudal Castle of Pierrefonds in Oise, France, in 1902 Chauret built a turreted, gabled residence with the inscription Château de Pierrefonds
on two of its socles. The building only somewhat resembled the much heralded fortress Chauret finally visited in 1911 when he journeyed in Europe. At a time when few people travelled abroad, his trip aroused considerable curiosity among local residents – so much so that crowds greeted him upon his return to Canada.
The name Pierrefonds therefore can be traced to Chauret’s residence.
Note: last census figures before annexation my Montreal.
Island of Montreal
The Island of Montreal , in extreme southwestern Quebec, Canada, is located at the confluence of the Saint Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers. It is separated from Île Jésus by the Rivière des Prairies....
. It ceased to exist on January 1, 2002. The city was located along the Rivière des Prairies
Rivière des Prairies
The Rivière des Prairies is a delta channel of the Ottawa River in southwestern Quebec, Canada....
at the western end of the island. Its final population was 54,963.
History
Its origin dates back to the eighteenth century, and is intimately linked to that of Sainte-GenevièveSainte-Geneviève, Quebec
thumb|upright|left|Église Sainte-GenevièveSainte-Geneviève is a former municipality located on the Island of Montreal in southwestern Quebec, Canada...
, which was composed at the time of Pierrefonds, L'Île-Bizard
L'Île-Bizard, Quebec
Ville de L'Île-Bizard is a former municipality located on Île Bizard, an island northwest of the Island of Montreal. It was originally incorporated as a municipality on July 1, 1855 as Paroisse de Saint-Raphael-de l'Ile-Bizard....
, Sainte-Geneviève
Sainte-Geneviève, Quebec
thumb|upright|left|Église Sainte-GenevièveSainte-Geneviève is a former municipality located on the Island of Montreal in southwestern Quebec, Canada...
, Roxboro
Roxboro, Quebec
Roxboro was a city on the Island of Montreal. It ceased to exist on January 1, 2002. The city was located along the Rivière des Prairies near the western end of the island. Its population, at that time, was 6,000.- History :...
and Dollard-des-Ormeaux.
In 1904, following several previous divisions, the Town of Sainte-Geneviève was split into two new villages: Sainte-Geneviève and Sainte-Geneviève de Pierrefonds. This was the first appearance of the name Pierrefonds. At the heart of the conflict leading to the separation was famous notary Joseph-Adolphe Chauret, who, in 1902, had a "seigniorial" residence built for himself reminiscent of the community of Pierrefonds in France’s Department of Oise. He named his thatched home "Château Pierrefonds", apparently providing the name for the future city.
Curiously, in 1935, the two villages of Sainte-Geneviève and Sainte-Geneviève de Pierrefonds merged once again into a single village called Sainte-Geneviève. The name Pierrefonds disappeared, resurfacing on December 18, 1958, when the rest of the territory of the old parish became the City of Pierrefonds.
Dissolution
On 2002-01-01, by decree of the provincial government, Pierrefonds became a borough of the city of MontrealMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
. Initially, it was merged with the former city of Senneville
Senneville, Quebec
Senneville is a village on the western tip of the Island of Montreal. It is the wealthiest town on the West Island, closely followed by Dollard-des-Ormeaux and Baie D'Urfé...
, but when that city's residents were allowed to vote whether or not to stay in Montreal, they chose not to. Residents of Pierrefonds were not allowed to separate, however, and on 2006-01-01, they merged with the former city of Roxboro
Roxboro, Quebec
Roxboro was a city on the Island of Montreal. It ceased to exist on January 1, 2002. The city was located along the Rivière des Prairies near the western end of the island. Its population, at that time, was 6,000.- History :...
to form the Montreal borough of Pierrefonds-Roxboro. This was mainly due to the fact the borough wanted to complete the area with the former town of Roxboro and not have any gaps like the former Dollard des Ormeaux/Roxboro borough.
Origin of the name Pierrefonds
One of the leading figures who brought about the 1904 split was a famous (or infamous), fiery notary named Joseph-Adolphe Chauret. Always in the limelight, this colourful fellow was praised by some and criticized by others. His reputation remains controversial to this day, mostly because of his stormy and ostentatious lifestyle.Inspired by an engraving of the feudal Castle of Pierrefonds in Oise, France, in 1902 Chauret built a turreted, gabled residence with the inscription Château de Pierrefonds
Château de Pierrefonds
The Château de Pierrefonds is a castle situated in the commune of Pierrefonds in the Oise département of France. It is on the southeast edge of the Forest of Compiègne, north of Paris, between Villers-Cotterêts and Compiègne....
on two of its socles. The building only somewhat resembled the much heralded fortress Chauret finally visited in 1911 when he journeyed in Europe. At a time when few people travelled abroad, his trip aroused considerable curiosity among local residents – so much so that crowds greeted him upon his return to Canada.
The name Pierrefonds therefore can be traced to Chauret’s residence.
Final Pre-annexation Demographics, 2001
- Total Population - 54,310
- "Visible minority" population - 13,995
- Male - 27,285
- Female - 25,020
- Land area - 24.9 km² (9.6 sq mi)
- Population density per km2 - 2207.2 PD/sqkm
Note: last census figures before annexation my Montreal.