This document was published in as part of the N&V summer special edition of 1954. The complete N&V edition is available as a PDF file (size about 1MB) and this HTML version has been generated from the original to allow for fast page load times. Thomas Lee used to live in 1954 on 3 Lakeview, just a few houses away from H.G. Brookhouse (36 Lakeview). The more detailed and refined 1977 History of Baie D'Urfe is based on this document by H.G. Brookhouse. The document contains some small mistakes but they have been preserved to ensure the integrity of the original document.
A HISTORY of THE TOWN OF BAIE D'URFE, by Ald. H. G. Brookhouse, 1954
In the early days of Canada's discovery and development the quickest and easiest way of travel was by water. Soon after the establishment of a Community at Montreal, explorers, then trappers and farmers, moved West from Montreal and Lachine along the shores of Lake St. Louis to Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Senneville, Ile Perrot and points West.
Some time around 1686 a mission was established at a place on the lake shore, now called Caron Point, by the highly distinguished M. D'Urfée, son of the Marquis D'Urfée, one of the first families of France. The mission was known as the Parish of St. Louis du Hout de L'Isle de Montreal.
The Registers of Lachine contain a memorandum in which it is stated that the Register of the Parish of St. Louis was started in 1686 and continued to 1687 only. All the entries are signed by D'Urfée Curé.
The first entry in the Church Register was that of the marriage of J. Bte. de Celeron Sieur de Blainville with Helen Picoté de Bélestre, widow of Antoine de La Fresnaye, Sieur de Brevey, on the 29th November, 1686, and was undoubtedly the first marriage performed at this place. The next entry is that of the natural death of Claud de la Mothe dit le Marquis de Sourdy, buried on the 23rd February, 1687. On the 18th October, 1687, eight men were killed by the Iroquois and buried in the Church yard. Jean de La Londe, who owned Caron Point, was one of these. The last entry was that of Louis Jets, miller of M. Le Ber., who died a natural death after having received the last Sacraments of the Church on the 17th November, 1687, and was buried the following day in the Cemetery of the Church of St. Louis.
M. L'Abbé D'Urfée gives the names of the first settlers, two and a half centuries ago, as D'Aoust, Crevier, Godin, Lalonde, Gunet, St. Denis, Valiquette and Vallée.
It is thought that all were destroyed by the Iroquois massacre of 1687. This terrible Indian war lasted until the year 1698 and forced the people back to Lachine.
In 1703 M. de Bresley succeeded L'Abbé D'Urfée but he built his Church at Ste. Annes so as to have the protection of the Fort Senneville.
The bay east of Caron Point was called Baie D'Urfée in honour of the L'Abbé D'Urfée who had done so much for the people of this area a few short years before.
The question of the actual site of the Chapel was settled in 1886 when a cellar was being excavated at Caron Point. Remains of the foundation of the Chapel were unearthed together with the bones of 23 persons of different physique. Some of the skeletons were wearing ornaments that were typically Indian, and some wore crosses made of brass. A tomahawk was found in good condition. These discoveries proved beyond a doubt that this was the site of the old Mission and Burial ground.
This part of the Island of Montreal developed slowly, being gradually turned into farm land. As the main mode of travel was by water the land was always divided in such a way that all land owners had access to the water. Therefore the farms became, in time, as they were divided and sub-divided for sons and grandsons, long strips of land all touching on Lake St. Louis. Thus all, or at least most of the farm houses were built near the water, and as the population increased paths were made from one farm house to another to make it easy to visit one with another. These trails and paths gradually became the basis for the present Lake shore Road. This area eventually became the Parish of Ste. Anne de Bout de L'Isle of the County of Jacques Cartier.
In the year 1856 the Grand Trunk Railway was built through this area and it built a station at the present site, calling it Bayview Station. Some twenty-five years later the Canadian Pacific built a parallel line. However, in 1902 the name of the station was changed to Baie d'Urfée station at the request of some of the residential residents of the area.
As communications improved and people could travel about more freely they realized the beauty of this area, and in summer the water was a great attraction for swimming and boating. More and more wealthy families from Montreal acquired farms as hobbies and used them with their families as summer homes only. But as time passed and communications continued to improve the population increased, especially on a year round basis.
By 1910 a few foresighted residents in this area decided to form a town of their own and early in 1911 a Charter was granted and the Town of Baie d'Urfée came into being.
The first entry in the Minute Book of the Town of Baie d'Urfée is as follows:
I, the undersigned, Louis Joseph Birleau, returning officer for the first Election to be held in the Town of Baie D'Urfée, have the honour to report that at the nomination day held on June 20th, 1911, according to law, Vivian de V. Dowker has been put in nomination as Mayor and Edward Maxwell, Fred J. Shaw, Charles E. Gudewell, Alfred Brunet, Morse G. Bigner and Norwood M. Lash as Aldermen.
And being 2 o'clock in the afternoon, I have named the said V. de V. Dowker Mayor, and the other six, Councillors of the Town of Baie D'Urfee.
Ste. Anne de Bellevue
June 21st, 1911 (sgd) L. J. Birleau
Returning Officer.
The first Meeting of the Council was held in the school house of the Town at 8 p. m., 10th July 1911, but was immediately adjourned to 18th July.
At the July 18th Meeting Mr. L. J. Birleau was appointed the Town's first Secretary-Treasurer. The Mayor was authorized to make arrangements with the School Board to enable the Council to use the school house for its Meetings. It was decided that all notices be posted at the school house and at, or near, the Grand Trunk Railway Station. A By-law was passed that the Council meet at 8 o'clock on the first Tuesday of every month to conduct the business of the Town.
At the Council Meeting of September 16th, 1911, Mr. James Morgan, merchant, of Montreal, being present at the Meeting, offered free to the Town all the land in front of his farm between the public road and the river, with the condition that the Town should build on the said lot of land a Town Hall and a boat house with landing, and to keep said lot of land in good and clear condition as a public park for the free use of the residents of the Town.
Mr. William Lyall then offered to the Council to give free to the Town all the land in front of his farm between the Lakeshore Road and the river, with the condition that the said lot of land be kept by the Town in good and clear condition as a public park, reserving for himself and family a right of access to the river, and to build a boat house and landing for himself and family.
Mr. James Morgan then made a further offer to give to the Town a tract of land of 100 feet in width, from the Grand Trunk Railway Station to the public road along the river. The said tract of land comprising the road already opened from the Railroad Public Station to the public road along the river, with the necessary ground near the Station, to make a small square to allow the rigs and carriages to turn easily. With the condition that the Town should plant four rows of trees, two on each side of the road with cinder side walks between each two rows of trees, and to maintain said tract of land, road, side walks and trees in good condition.
On the 12th October, 1912, Mr. James Morgan offered the house he owned to the Town, free of charge, to be used as a Town Hall.
Mr. L. J. Birleau resigned and a Mr. Arthur H. Burton was appointed Secretary Treasurer.
In December, 1912, a franchise was granted to the Vaudreuil Springs Syndicate, for twenty-five years, to supply the Town with spring water.
The first Building By-law of the Town was passed by the Council on June 14th, 1913.
By 1915 electric power became available to the Town and at that time was purchases from the Town of Beaconsfield.
At the Council Meeting of 26th February, 1916, the Secretary-Treasurer read the reports of the detectives who had been engaged to investigate the several thefts that had lately taken place in the Town, and it was decided to notify the employer of the guilty party that if he had not left the Town by March 15th, 1916, a warrant would be issued for his arrest; also to warn the said guilty party by letter, to be delivered by Constable O'Hara, to leave the Town before the above mentioned date or he would be arrested.
July 12th, 1922, a Contract was signed with the Town of Ste. Anne de Bellevue for electric power, to commence 1st December, 1922, as the Town of Beaconsfield is now unable to supply Baie d'Urfée with adequate power.
At the Council Meeting November 17th, 1923, Mr. J. W. Haywood asked the Town to take over the roads in the College Green Subdivision.
In October, 1927, the Prince of Wales presented to Baie D'Urfée, as a gift, some prize peonies.
Some time in April, 1930, the Montreal Light, Heat & Power Company purchased the Town's electric light plant, except for the street lighting system, with its transformer and lights for the sum of $5,000.00.
In the spring of 1931 the residents of the Town seemed to be divided in their opinion as to who should be Mayor or Aldermen, as two men were nominated for the positions of Mayor and Aldermen, thus forcing the first balloting in the history of the Town.
Also in 1933 two nominations were received for the position of Mayor forcing an election for Mayor, the Aldermen being elected by acclamation.
In May, 1935, word was received that the Provincial Government had decided to build a new highway north of the Lakeshore Road and south of the Railway, from Ville St. Pierre to the bridge at Ste. Anne de Bellevue.
On May 7th, 1935, the Secretary-Treasurer A. H. Burton resigned and the position was offered to and accepted by Mr. John W. Long.
In February, 1937, the Secretary-Treasurer reported that permission had been received to keep the Post Office open on a year round basis.
On May 4th, 1937, two maple trees were planted in front of the Town Hall to commemorate the Coronation of King George VI. The trees were the gift of the Mayor, Mr. J. Smith.
The twenty-five year franchise granted to the Suburban Water Company had now expired and as the service was never good it was decided not to renew the franchise. Complaints had been received year after year, sometimes it was the water pressure that was not adequate, sometimes it was due to broken pipes. The original pipes were made of wood bound with iron wire but were gradually replaced with iron pipes as they became available. Twice the water supply failed for several days, water having to be carted around and delivered by hand. It only solved itself by well boring and by 1939 the water was shut off altogether. From then until the present, every house has its own deep well and automatic pumping system.
At a special Council Meeting held June 17th, 1941, Bonds Numbers 16 to 24 inclusive, for $1,000.00 each, with coupons attached, were checked, and in the presence of the Council, the Press and interested citizens, the Bonds were declared redeemed, cancelled and void. Then followed the burning of the Bonds and Coupons.
The Town of Baie d'Urfee was, at that moment, free of all debt.
In October, 1941, the possibility of forming a volunteer fire brigade was discussed but held over for further consideration.
On 13th June, 1944, Building By-law Number 60 was passed.
November, 1945, a Recreation Club was formed. George Graham was elected president and G. C. Hudson, secretary-treasurer. This Club was not a success and in May, 1947, the Baie d'Urfée Citizens' Association was formed by a handful of Civic minded residents who set as their goal an association which would take an interest in Town affairs and render the governing body of the Town all assistance possible by reporting to them any problem or project desired by the majority of the citizens; and, equally important, provide a meeting place where all residents could get together on an equal footing to meet their neighbours, discuss their problems and talk over the working of the Town.
Then in May, 1950, The Baie d'Urfée Horticultural Society was formed to further the knowledge of horticulture and floriculture among the residents and to be of service to the Town in general in tree planting and weed control.
By 1953 the Town had grown from a few families, with assessed value of $200,000.00, to over 300 families and an assessed value of $1,500,000.00. Mr. Viau was retained to prepare a new Charter which will grant the Town wider powers, will stagger the elections of Aldermen, and change the fiscal year of the Town to coincide with the calendar year. On June 30, Secretary John W. Long, Q.C., resigned after 19 years service.
Town Council of Baie d'Urfee, 1954
Mayor - Jean Gelinas
Aldermen - Bill C. Corbett
Harry B. Smythe
Herb G. Brookhouse
Al M. Christie
George Jost
Selby A. MacLeod
List of Mayors and Aldermen from 1911 to date. (Editors note: This list contains a number of typos. The old records are hand written and difficult to read. That is probably how e.g "Geo. N. Dowker" became "Leo N. Dowker" in the list below.)
1911
Mayor - Vivian de V. Dowker
Aldermen - Fred J. Shaw
Alfred Brunet
Morse G. Bigner
Norwood M. Lash
Edward Maxwell
1913
Mayor - Vivian de V. Dowker
Aldermen - Edward Maxwell
Fred J. Shaw
Charles E. Gudewill
Frank Walkinshaw
William Lyall
Norman M. Lash
1915
Mayor - Vivian de V. Dowker
Aldermen - Edward Maxwell
Fred J. Shaw
Charles E. Gudewill
Frank Walkinshaw
John Watterson
Leo A. Lewis
1917
Mayor - Fred J. Shaw
Aldermen - Edward Maxwell
Charles E. Gudewill
John Watterson
Frank Walkinshaw
R. A. Winters
Leo N. Dowker
1919
Mayor - Fred J. Shaw
Aldermen - Edward Maxwell
V.de V. Dowker
R. A. Winters
Fred Walkinshaw
John Watterson
Leo N. Dowker
1921
Mayor - Fred J. Shaw
Aldermen - Edward Maxwell
J. Dougall
R. A. Winters
Fred Walkinshaw
John Watterson
Leo N. Dowker
1923
Mayor - Fred J. Shaw
Aldermen - E.G. Lesperance
Jas. Dougall
R. A. Winters
John Watterson
Leo N. Dowker
1925
Mayor - John Watterson
Aldermen - E.G. Lesperance
A. H. Pirie
R. A. Winters
Fred Walkinshaw
F. J. Shaw
J. F. McBride
1927
Mayor - John Watterson
Aldermen - E.G. Lesperance
A. H. Pirie
R. A. Winters
Frank Walkinshaw
F. J. Shaw
J. Fred McBride
Alderman F. J. Shaw died 18th December,
1928, and W. M. Spriggs was elected in his place.
1929
Mayor - John Watterson
Aldermen - Walter Maughan
A. H. Pirie
R. A. Winters
Frank Walkinshaw
W. M. Spriggs
W. Fred McBride
1931
Mayor - E. W. Wilson
Aldermen - J. H. Dougall
A. D. Sabastiani
Leslie R. Dowker
W. M. Oliver
J. H. Hebert
W. Fuchs
In December, 1931, Alderman Dowker and Alderman Hebert resigned and
in February, 1932, Walter Maughan and J. A. Taylor were
elected in their places.
1933
Mayor - Walter Maughan
Aldermen - D. S. Mackenzie
E. W. Wilson
W. Fuchs
A. D. Sabastiani
J. A. Taylor
C. J. Smith
Alderman Sabastiani resigned 6th February, 1934, and A. H. Pirie was elected
Alderman 24th February, 1934, Alderman Taylor having been absent from three
Council Meetings was advised that in view of such absence he ceased to be a
member of the Council 6th June, 1934, and Mr. H. W. Hartnell was elected
Alderman 3rd July, 1934.
1935
Mayor - C. J. Smith
Aldermen - Walter Maughan
E. W. Wilson
W. Fuchs
A. H. Pirie
H. W. Hartnell
J. A. Taylor
1937
Mayor - Walter Maughan
Aldermen - E. W. Wilson
C. J. Smith
W. Fuchs
A. H. Pirie
H. W. Hartnell
A. D. Sabastiani
1939
Mayor - Walter Maughan
Aldermen - E. W. Wilson
C. J. Smith
W. Fuchs
A. H. Pirie
H. W. Hartnell
L. G. Heimpel
1941
Mayor - A. H. Pirie
Aldermen - William Spriggs
A. M. Yates
A. C. Grant
W. H. Hartnell
L. G. Hiemple
A. G. Pitrie
1943
Mayor - Walter Maughan
Aldermen - J. D. Carriere
L. P. Caron
J. W. Case
W. F. McBride
W. Oliver
F. A.M. Smythe
Aldermen L. P. Caron and F. A. M. Smythe resigned on
7th November, 1944, and on 5th December 1944, Leo G. Ryan
and Albert Turnau were elected Aldermen.
1945
Mayor - W. Fred McBride
Aldermen - J. D. Carriere
Leo B. Ryan
Fred W. Case
Albert Turnau
H. N. Osborn
S. L. Kerr
1947
Mayor - Fred W. Case
Aldermen - Doug. Allen
K. C. Brown
J. W. J. Gelinas
S. L. Kerr
A. A. Martin
W. Spriggs, Jr.
1949
Mayor - Fred W. Case
Aldermen - J. Gelinas
C. M. Yates
W. D. Laird
A. R. Wilson
W. H. Parker
P. Smith
Alderman Wilson resigned 13th September, 1949, as he
sold his property. Dr. J. Hanson elected Alderman
October, 1949.
1951
Mayor - J. Gelinas
Aldermen - F. E. Dorion
W. H. Parker
D. C. Menzies
W. D. Laird
G. E. Buch
P. Smith
Alderman Buch resigned 4th November, 1952; W. C. Corbett
elected Alderman 2nd December, 1952.
References and additional information
Herb Brookhouse lived in this veteran's house at 36 Lakeview, photo: 2009 google
Herb Brookhouse
Herbert Gowin Brookhouse (1912-2014)
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