The top photo appeared on this site before but I thought I would show it again as it deserves analizing. The house in the bakground would be the Leblanc's house who rented boats and would be at the foot of 1st ave. The wharf in the middle was called the Verdun 500 Social and Swimming Club and was at the foot of second avenue. That is where the ferry would moor up to 1915 and the one of the books I consulted called it the Quai de la Tortue. Onother book referred to the same name to the Laprairie wharf. When consulting different authors you find conflicting information so this would require clarification. The shack at the right was the Verdun Athletic Club.
My guess would be that this photo dates back to the 20s or maybe before as notice that there is no bnoardwalk, just the dyke wich was built at the beginning of the century and was upgraded later on as it was not high enough to stop the floodings of Verdun. It is unfortunate that some of these old photos we have at the SHGV do not have dates.
You will notice that on the second photo, the boardwalk is installed so would have to be of a later date.
Guy
ARCHIVES SHGV
10 comments:
Hello Guy,.Thanks Again for some neat photo's,.I have also read of the Lapraire Wharf,.but I cannot recall where I actually found that information,..but they used to run ferries across the river ,.and so both those names could very well apply,...... You must have a ball searching through all those Verdun treasures,...... otherthan the Victoria Train Bridge ,there was no other way to get across the river for the average person,except for those water taxi ferries,....... I think it was 1930 when the JC bridge finally opened,...... Have Fun & Remember Verdun
Regarding dates. I even wonder if I actually witnessed the boards of the Boardwalk. When was it paved over?
Bill
I think we narrowed it down to after '35 ish both Guy and a few others had posted some pictures,that showed boards in some,.and then assphalt a little later,.......... I wonder how many pennies & nickels & dimes ,slipped through those cracks way back when? I'll try to find those old photos,...but maybe Guy or someone can chime in with some dates or pics,....... I'm headed Downton in a minute or so,..or I'd try & find then for you now... see ya's later, HF&RV
Les, On the second photo with the boardwalk, I found the date it was taken, 1926. Guy
Les, We pinned it down to about 1945 when the boardwalk was paved. Also, I am doing research on the ferries that crossed the river from Laprairie, Ste Catherine and St Constant to the two wharfs in Verdun, at the foot of 2nd ave. and Riverview. I already have accumulated much information wich I will share with members. If any have information, please let me know.The enclosed photo shows farmers from Laprairie leaving the ferry at the foot of Riverview to go to the Bonsecours market to sell their farm produce. The date is 1910. Guy
Look at the teams of horses......Now that's a cool picture HF&RV
Guy another interesting picture from the past. I enlarged it to see if the teams were of 4 horses or two. I think two. What were they doing on the dock? Loading or unloading, cargo or passengers?
How did they maneuver the teams so they were all facing away from the steamer? Did they back the horse drawn wagons in. Doesn't seem possible somehow on such a narrow jetty. One unrealistic answer is the wagons and the horses were the cargo and in the picture they were disembarking. The boat doesn't nearly appear large enough. Hmm...
Bill
Bill, The only question as far as i'm concerned is the size of the ferry seems too small to accomodate all those carriages and horses and we do not see any large opening for loading and unloading. I guess these questions will remain unanswered. Guy
Bill, I think it is a depth perception that is misleading us. It is the only logical explanation I can come up with for now. Guy
I would agree, there is probably more room on that landing point than what we see,.............. the teams & wagons ,could certainly make a very sharp turn,& then line up,to take the people or cargo. that boat must have turned around and gone right back,.because if you look at the smokestack,.it seems to be churning out smoke,so they didn't shut down,and kept stoking the bolier I guess,...or it would take too long to warm up again??? HF&RV
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