A town with a rich heritage

In 2012, Town of Mount Royal celebrated its centennial. That it exists at all is due to the bold dream of a handful of visionaries, a dream linked to a proud railway heritage that remains alive today. The Town’s quality architecture and abundance of green spaces also deliver a subtle invitation to history buffs and urban planning aficionados to take a trip back in time.

Dozens of workers were involved in digging the tunnel under Mount Royal.Mount Royal’s growth in 1927 was guided by F. G. Todd’s master plan.Mount Royal Station in 1928. In the background, the former fire station.Growing the celebrated Montreal melon on the Daoust farm in 1931.Popular abroad, the melons were also sold on site.Mount Royal station in 1940.Mount Royal’s Town Centre circa 1942, looking east. At the time, only one bridge spanned the train tracks.Having been awarded a prize by GoodHousekeeping magazine in 1941, the model home at 1001 Moncrieff Road drew quite a number of visitors.Unveiling of the cenotaph at Peace Park, across the street from City Hall, on October 24, 1948.Mount Royal in 1950, looking south, with Jean-J. and Marc Thibodeau Park in the foreground.Rockland Centre, in 1962.Sitting at the corner of Graham and Kindersley, McKenna Florist was already providing local households with beautiful bouquets back in 1962.

History

Town of Mount Royal was created on the initiative of the Canadian Northern Railway, which wanted to build a model city on the north side of Mount Royal. It was Frederic Gage Todd (1876–1948), often considered Canada’s first landscape architect, who finally developed the plans. The town was officially incorporated on December 21, 1912.

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Architectural movements

Its residents’ love for quality architecture is one of the Town’s most defining cultural characteristics. Various architectural styles are preserved with pride and care, from the faubourg-style house to the cottage and the English manor.

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Toponymy

Place names (toponymy) are an integral part of Town of Mount Royal’s urban landscape. In many cases, they incorporate the names of people who marked the town’s history. Even today, the names of banker Alexander Laird, minister George Perry Graham and Arthur William Patrick Albert, Duke of Connaught and former governor general of Canada, remain part of everyday life.

Heritage walks

From time to time during the summer, you can take part in guided tours that spotlight Mount Royal’s rich architectural heritage and the quality of its urban planning and development. The tours are organized locally by history buffs and led by volunteers. See our calendar or contact TRAM for details.

Archives

Town of Mount Royal maintains its own archives. The staff can assist you with your historical research and will be pleased to receive any information or historical materials you care to share. The archives are the responsibility of Public Affairs and Clerk’s Office.

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