Longueuil is a city in the Montérégie region of Quebec, on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River, directly across from the island of Montreal.
Today, Longueuil is a bustling city with a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial areas. It serves as a significant suburban hub for the Greater Montreal area, providing various services, educational institutions, and recreational facilities. The city continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of its residents.
Overall, Longueuil’s history is a narrative of adaptation and growth, from its early days as a French seigneury to its current status as a key component of the Greater Montreal metropolitan area.
Longeueuil History
Before European settlement, the area around Longeueuil was inhabited by Indigenous peoples, including the Mohawk and Algonquin who traded and travelled along the St Lawrence.
The French established the seigneury of Longueuil in 1657, making it one of the earliest European settlements on the south shore. With the British conquest of New France in 1760, Longueuil came under British control. Agriculture remained a significant economic activity, and the area saw the development of mills and other industries.
: In the 1800s, Longueuil began to urbanize and industrialize. construction of the Victoria Bridge in 1859 and later the Jacques Cartier Bridge, enhanced connectivity between Longueuil and Montreal, contributing to the community’s economic growth.
Longueuil continued to grow in the 1900d, shifting from a primarily agricultural and industrial community to be a more diversified urban/suburban center.
In 2002, Longueuil underwent a significant change with the amalgamation of several municipalities, including Boucherville, Brossard, Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, and Saint-Lambert, forming the present-day city of Longueuil. This amalgamation allowed for more coordinated planning and services across the region.