Old Photographs of the Pointe-Aux-Trembles neighbourhood in Montréal (1900-1942)

January 30, 2025 Dalia Nardolillo History, The City

Pointe-aux-Trembles, located in eastern Montréal, is a neighbourhood with deep historical roots. Once an independent village founded in 1614, it was named after the trembling poplar trees lining the riverbanks. The area played a key role as a port and industrial centre, and today, its waterfront remains a defining feature.

The neighbourhood combines suburban calm with urban convenience, offering a variety of housing options and a strong sense of community. Residents enjoy access to parks like Parc de la Promenade-Bellerive, making it ideal for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Its proximity to downtown Montréal also ensures easy transit connections.

Pointe-aux-Trembles has a rich cultural scene, with a blend of French and English-speaking residents. The neighbourhood hosts various local events and festivals, while its growing selection of cafes, shops, and small businesses adds to its charm. This combination of history, nature, and evolving culture makes it a distinctive part of Montréal.

1900 – This reproduction of a painting represents a military fort situated on the territory of Pointe-aux-Trembles, at the eastern end of the island of Montréal.
1910 – Photograph of the windmill at Pointe-aux-Trembles in Montréal. We can see houses on either side of the mill and we can see that the stone mill is almost entirely covered in foliage.
1912 – Photograph of the ruins of a stone house in Pointe-aux-Trembles, burned during the village fire. The side walls of the house can be seen.
1912 – Photograph of the village of Pointe-aux-Trembles after the fire of 1912. It shows people walking through the ruins.
1912 – Photograph of the village after the fire of 1912. It shows the cemetery, the church, some houses, as well as people walking through the ruins.
1912 – Photograph, after the village fire, of the ruins of a stone house located in Pointe-aux-Trembles.
1914 – Photograph of the cemetery and the back of the Saint-François d’Assise church in Longue-Pointe.
1920 – Photograph of people gathered on the quay at Pointe-aux-Trembles probably after the fire of 1912. We see a fire engine as well as a sailboat and small boats.
1923 – Photograph of the Allard house and surrounding buildings located in Longue-Pointe, on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River. We can see the railway line running along the river, the Saint-Benoît hospital on the right of the image.
1925 – Photograph of the back of the church in Pointe-aux-Trembles, in winter, before the fire of 1937. We can see the neighboring house.
1931 – Photograph of an old house leaning against the church before the fire of 1937. We can see the bell tower of the church behind the house.
1931 – Photograph of the back of the Pointe-aux-Trembles church before its destruction by fire in 1937. It shows a small path and a tombstone near a wooden fence.
1931 – Photograph of the choir of the church before its destruction by fire in 1937.
1936 – Photograph of the Pointe-aux-Trembles church before its destruction by fire in 1937, partly hidden by large trees in front of it. Part of the neighbouring house can be seen, as well as people in front of the church.
1937 – Photograph of the choir, the pulpit, a side altar and part of the nave of the church before its destruction by fire in February 1937.
1937 – Photograph of the historic chapel located near the ruins of the church. It shows wood piled up near the chapel as well as a car.
1937 – Photograph of the ruins of the Pointe-aux-Trembles church after the 1937 fire taken from inside the remaining structure. The St. Lawrence River can be seen.
1937 – Photograph of the ruins of the church in Montréal after the fire of 1937. We can see a man behind the ruins as well as the Saint-Laurent River.
1937 – Photograph of the ruins of the church after the fire of 1937. It shows the surrounding buildings, including the dome of a religious institution, as well as a car parked near the ruins.
1942 – Photograph of the windmill at Pointe-aux-Trembles in Montréal, in winter. We see houses on either side of the mill and we notice the “for sale” sign attached to a tree.

Find more photos from the Montréal archives on their website.

 

About Dalia Nardolillo 13 Articles
Dalia, a photojournalist hailing from Montreal, is deeply passionate about documenting events and sharing stories about people's lives. She is on track to graduate from Concordia University with a degree in journalism and a minor in art history. Currently, Dalia holds the position of Editor-in-Chief at her school's newspaper, The Concordian. Following graduation, she aims to secure a full-time reporting job at a major news outlet.

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