Ormstown, Quebec
Encyclopedia
Ormstown is a municipality in Quebec
, Canada
, which is situated on the Chateauguay River
in the heart of the Chateauguay Valley
. It is approximately one hour southwest of Montreal
and 20 minutes north of New York State in the United States
. The population as of the Canada 2006 Census
was 3,651, of which Francophones comprise about 65%.
Ormstown has two elementary schools, one high school (Chateauguay Valley Regional), and two adult education facilities, several restaurants and churches. Ormstown is also well known for its numerous antique dealers and unique gift shops. There is a park north of the centre of town which is home to Ormstown Beach, an urban legend created and memorialized in the 1970s with "I've been to Ormstown Beach" bumper stickers. It is a popular summer activity to cycle along the Chateauguay River. The town has traces of an old dam, which was once the source of power for the mill. People living outside the town only gained access to electricity following World War II
.
Ormstown will be the host of the 34th Quebec 4-H Rally, happening the first weekend of July. 4-H members from across the province will visit the area with their projects that consist of cattle, horses, handicrafts, public speaking and more.
. Initially, the system passed through the major cities of Canada via towers located on top of downtown telephone buildings. Subsequently, concerns were expressed that a disaster affecting any of those city cores, such as a war or uprising, would result in an interruption of the continuity of the transcontinental communications system. The solution was to locate a "bypass" microwave site outside each of those cities with links to the east and west, as well as a short link into the city. The Ormstown facility was the bypass point for Montreal, but had further significance as it also included a link to the AT&T Long Lines TD2 microwave system in the United States.
In 2000. the town merged with the surrounding parish of St-Malachie d'Ormstown to form the Municipality
of Ormstown.
(+) Amalgamated with Saint-Malachie-d'Ormstown in 2000.
during the War of 1812
. There is a National Parks of Canada
museum near the site of the battle.
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, which is situated on the Chateauguay River
Chateauguay River
The Chateauguay River has its source in northern New York State in the United States. It winds its way through several towns and villages in Quebec, Canada, such as Huntingdon, Dewittville, Ormstown and Châteauguay before emptying into the Saint Lawrence River near Montreal.The river is home to...
in the heart of the Chateauguay Valley
Chateauguay Valley
The Chateauguay Valley is an area of southwestern Quebec Canada, roughly encompassing the drainage basin of the Chateauguay River which flows from the Adirondack Mountains in northern New York state and joins the Saint Lawrence River near Montreal, Quebec....
. It is approximately one hour southwest of Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
and 20 minutes north of New York State in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population as of the Canada 2006 Census
Canada 2006 Census
The Canada 2006 Census was a detailed enumeration of the Canadian population. Census day was May 16, 2006. The next census following will be the 2011 Census. Canada's total population enumerated by the 2006 census was 31,612,897...
was 3,651, of which Francophones comprise about 65%.
Ormstown has two elementary schools, one high school (Chateauguay Valley Regional), and two adult education facilities, several restaurants and churches. Ormstown is also well known for its numerous antique dealers and unique gift shops. There is a park north of the centre of town which is home to Ormstown Beach, an urban legend created and memorialized in the 1970s with "I've been to Ormstown Beach" bumper stickers. It is a popular summer activity to cycle along the Chateauguay River. The town has traces of an old dam, which was once the source of power for the mill. People living outside the town only gained access to electricity following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Ormstown will be the host of the 34th Quebec 4-H Rally, happening the first weekend of July. 4-H members from across the province will visit the area with their projects that consist of cattle, horses, handicrafts, public speaking and more.
History
In the 1950s, Ormstown became the site of a significant microwave radio relay station, part of the Trans Canada Telephone SystemTrans Canada Microwave
Trans Canada Microwave or Trans-Canada Skyway was a microwave system built in the 1950s to carry telephone and TV from Canada's east coast to its west coast. Because microwaves travel in a straight line and do not follow the curvature of the Earth, towers were built every 48 kilometres. The...
. Initially, the system passed through the major cities of Canada via towers located on top of downtown telephone buildings. Subsequently, concerns were expressed that a disaster affecting any of those city cores, such as a war or uprising, would result in an interruption of the continuity of the transcontinental communications system. The solution was to locate a "bypass" microwave site outside each of those cities with links to the east and west, as well as a short link into the city. The Ormstown facility was the bypass point for Montreal, but had further significance as it also included a link to the AT&T Long Lines TD2 microwave system in the United States.
In 2000. the town merged with the surrounding parish of St-Malachie d'Ormstown to form the Municipality
Municipality
A municipality is essentially an urban administrative division having corporate status and usually powers of self-government. It can also be used to mean the governing body of a municipality. A municipality is a general-purpose administrative subdivision, as opposed to a special-purpose district...
of Ormstown.
Population
Population trend| Census | Population | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 3,651 | 0.1% |
| 2001 | 3,647 (+) | 56.0% |
| 1996 | 1,604 | 1.7% |
| 1991 | 1,577 | N/A |
(+) Amalgamated with Saint-Malachie-d'Ormstown in 2000.
Language
Mother tongue language (2006)| Language | Population | Pct (%) |
|---|---|---|
| French only | 2,220 | 62.89% |
| English only | 1,205 | 34.13% |
| Both English and French | 50 | 1.42% |
| Other languages | 55 | 1.56% |
Ormstown Fair
One of the town's main attractions is the Ormstown Fair, which was started in 1910. It is held annually during the second week of June, making it Quebec's earliest spring fair. Several competitions take place at the fair: farm animals, crafts, horticulture and baked goods are evaluated by judges and can be viewed by fairgoers. Other competitions include a tractor pull, demolition derby, and equestrian events. Additionally, there are carnival rides, arcades, a petting zoo, and live musical performances. The Ormstown fair attracts people from all surrounding areas.Allan's Corners
Located near Ormstown, in the hamlet of Allan's Corners, is the site of the Battle of the Chateauguay, where on October 25, 1813 Canadian and Native forces fought and repelled an invading American force that was planning to attack MontrealMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. There is a National Parks of Canada
Parks Canada
Parks Canada , also known as the Parks Canada Agency , is an agency of the Government of Canada mandated to protect and present nationally significant natural and cultural heritage, and foster public understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment in ways that ensure their ecological and commemorative...
museum near the site of the battle.