Heritage circuit

Thanks to the Brome County Historical Society to have given us access to archives and expertise in regional history. Thank you also to Mister Marc Lapierre to have kindly allowed us to use some of his photos, which are mentioned at the need.


Knowlton

Town Hall, 122, Lakeside road
 
History. In 1907, the federal authority authorised the construction of a new post office in Knowlton, based on plans serving Knowlton and Magog. In 1909, the building was completed and was already the pride of the town. In the 1930’s, an annex was added that was meant to serve as a firearms depot. With the construction of the post office on the Knowlton road in 1973, the building became vacant and the Town of Brome Lake deciced to loan the premises in order to host its town hall.  In 1980, the Town became the owner of the building.

 
 
Architecture. This building, that has very distinct forms and hugs both sides of the road, has a unique roof covered with sheet metal and nasturtium skylights (the term comes from religious nasturtiums with curved veils). The structure still contains some of the testimony of its history, such as the ancient firearms depot (conference room), the oak staircase and the former post masters lounge, now the mayor’s office.
 
Old Court House and Registry Office (1859), St-Paul street
 
Just beside the Town Hall on St. Paul Street, we find the old court-house. Built in 1859 in the neo-classical style, its four white wooden columns are remarkably well preserved. The building served not only as a court-house (circuit court), but also as the seat of the municipal Corporation of Brome County and the registry office until 1992. Since that date, the historical society stores its records in the building and, in particular, its vast collection of minutes, evaluation rolls, and the by-laws of the former municipalities that now make up the Town of Lac Brome.
 

Take note of the former courtroom on the second floor of the building, with its tin ceiling and particular décor. This room served as the Council Chamber for the Town of Knowlton.
 
Old Fire Station (1904), Lakeside road
 
The building that has housed the fire hall since 1904 has served many purposes during its lifetime. A first section, built in 1881, was used by the students of Knowlton Academy. It was some 20 years later that the building was taken over by the Town to become a fire hall and a tower was added, to be used to hang the hoses for drying.
 

This station would be used until 1970 when a new fire station was built, but the old building did not stay empty for long. It was taken over by the historical society in 1971 and, conscious of its mission to preserve the old fire hall, the society allows visitors to explore its installations.
 
Brome County Historical Society Museum, 130, Lakeside
 
Located just beside the Town Hall are the six, century old buildings that make up the Brome County Historical Society’s museum. Established in 1897, following a suggestion made by the Reverend Ernest M. Taylor – making it the oldest historical society in Quebec – the museum contains a number of treasures from the past, including a rare and impressive German aircraft (Fokker) dating back to the First World War. This aircraft, which is in an excellent state of preservation, is still operational, although it has been stored in the museum since 1926.
 

The museum hosts visiting exhibits and offers guided tours that include the old court house, the fire station and the old village school.

To learn more: http://www.townshipsheritage.com/FR/Org/Societes/brome.html
 
St-Paul’s Anglican Church (1941)
 
With over a century and a half of existence, this is the oldest church in the town. Paul H. Knowlton, who wanted an Anglican Church in his town, provided most of the funds for its construction. Built of wood, and inspired by the architectural style of New England, the church opened its doors in 1843. Reverend E. Cusack was its first pastor. In the early 1890’s the original building was torn down to be replaced by a bigger building made of brick. The first service celebrated in the new church took place on December 1, 1892. Sadly, the building burned down in 1941.

The new church, built in the gothic style, remains an impressive edifice, both because of its size and the lines of its bell tower.
 
 
Coldbrook Park, Lakeside road, Downtown Knowlton
 
Situated in the heart of the town, Coldbrook Park is not to be missed. History surrounds the visitor. Near the Mill Pond, where the flour and grist mill (1834) belonging to the Honourable Paul Holland Knowlton once stood, you can still see the mill stones that bear a commemorative plaque.
 

The view of the brook and the little waterfall under the shadow of the Knowlton United Church, certainly the most distinctive site in Knowlton, is where photographers gather to capture the vista.
 
Knowlton Academy, Victoria Street
 
In 1850, the Brome Grammar School opened on Lake Street (today Lakeside). It was not until 1854, and after a number of improvements to the building, that the name was changed to Knowlton Academy. In 1903, a half century after its construction, the building was ceded to the Brome County Historical Society where the museum has been housed ever since. In 1897, Knowlton Academy had a new three-storey brick edifice built on Victoria Street on the very site where the elementary and secondary schools are still located. The building, however, was burned to the ground in a fire in May 1944.

 
Lakeview Inn (1874), Victoria Street
 
As the name indicates, a visitor to Lakeview Inn had a breathtaking view of Brome Lake. With time, the lake receded and is no longer visible from the Inn. However, the charm is still there. This is an architectural jewel which dates back to 1874, and was saved in 1980 after a long and difficult period. The Inn offers 28 rooms, redecorated to the style of the era – today’s comforts with yesterday’s atmosphere.
 

For more details check out: www.aubergelakeviewinn.com
 
 
Auberge Knowlton / Le Relais (1849), Knowlton road
 
Auberge Knowlton, built in 1849, is the oldest hotel establishment in the Eastern Townships. Edward Blinn was the founder, and called it Blinn’s Inn. Two years later, D. Albert Kimball bought it and re-named it Kimball’s Hotel and the Knowlton Stage House. The arrival of the railway in Knowlton in the 1890’s made the town more accessible to visitors, and the Kimballs saw this as an opportunity and renamed it Railroad House.

 


After 50 years of service, the Kimballs sold the property to James Robinson who, upon taking over, conducted extensive renovations, added a third floor, and renamed it Robinson’s Hotel. In 1922, the first francophone owner, J. Arthur Cadorette, bought the property and chose to call it l’Hôtel Robinson. Cadorette retired in 1944 and the Loubier family took over for a period of 20 years when it was called the Brome Lake Hotel. In the 1970’s, Sophie and Maurice Proteau became the new owners and called their establishment l’Auberge du Relais. Finally in 1997, Michel Gabereau and Signy Stephenson purchased it, named it L’Auberge Knowlton, and a series of renovations have restored its past lustre and ambiance.

For more detail: www.aubergeknowlton.ca/history.php
 
 
Théâtre Lac Brome
 
The love affair between Knowlton and the theatre is not new. Indeed, it all started in 1935 with the opening of the Brae Manor Playhouse. During its 21 years of existence, this summer theatre, that included a theatre school, was considered one of the most important in Canada. Over 100 professional productions drawing on the biggest names of the era were presented.
 

In 1986, 30 years after the closing of the Brae Manor Playhouse, Theatre Lac Brome came into being. Its eclectic English language programming ensured its rapid accession to a place of choice in the Quebec and Canadian theatre world. Since its inception, the theatre has seen its role increased. Originally, it offered summer programmes over an eight-week period. Today it has become a cultural centre, under the name of Arts Knowlton, that offers activities on a year-round basis.

For more: www.theatrelacbrome.ca
 
 
Knowlton United Church (1895), Knowlton road
 
The existing Methodist Church was built in 1895 and replaces a smaller building.

A stained glass window installed in 1929, that is remarkable both in the quality of its colours and its state of preservation, is to be found in this church. It was unveiled in August of that year and depicts the story of the Good Samaritan. The work is dedicated to the memory of Israel England, a prominent citizen of the time who inspired the construction of the church.
 
 
 
 
St-Edouard Roman Catholic Church (1879), Knowlton road
 
The first Catholic Mass was celebrated at St. Edward’s in 1868. The English Saint Edward was chosen as the patron saint of the parish because of the English-speaking majority in the region.
 

A canonical decree issued by the Bishop of St. Hyacinthe on September 1, 1873 established the parish, and a civil proclamation two years later confirmed the creation of the parish. The church was enlarged in 1898 and in 1905 a residence for the pastor was built. In 1963 a chapel was built for celebrations during the summer period.
 
 

 
Brome Lake Ducks (1914), Centre road
 
One cannot speak of the history of the Town of Brome Lake without making mention of the development of the duck farm, an enterprise whose products are the basis for the Town’s distinctive logo.

The Brome Lake Duck Farm was founded in 1912 by an American who wanted to raise Peking ducks. During the winter, the farm was moved to the opposite side of the lake so that the ducks could swim in the lake during the summer. In 1939, a lawyer and a businessman took over the farm, which remains to this day one of the most important employers in the region. Even back in 1937, the farm raised more than 30,000 ducks per year.
 

It is not surprising, therefore, that the citizens launched an annual Le festival le Canard du Lac Brome en Fête, which celebrates, each fall, the international reputation of this delicacy.

To learn more: http://www.bromelakeducks.com/
 
 
Tibbits Hill Rural School
 
This country school, situated west of Knowlton, was built in 1844. It welcomed its first students in 1846. There seems to have been a school on this site for some time since one Freeman Eldridge, born in 1808, indicated that he had gone to school there.
 

We have been unable, however, to discover a precise date for the first construction. Some documents indicate, however, that a school had occupied the site as early as 1812 or perhaps a few years earlier. The school ceased operating in 1928. The building was restored and opened to visitors in 1964 by the Brome County Historical Society, the present owner.
 
 
 

Foster

St-James Carmichael Anglican Church (1909), Lakeside Road
 
St. James Anglican Church, located at 725 Lakeside in Foster, was built in 1909-10 and have celebrated its 100th year of foundation.
 
 
 
Former Railway Section (1910), Lakeside road
 
The most recent railway station in Foster was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1910. The building is, in fact, the third to have been built on the site. The station welcomed travellers for over 70 years before closing in 1980. Neglect caused considerable deterioration to the building after its closing, to the extent that CP had thought of simply tearing it down. The local population protested and a movement was launched to save the old building.

In 1995, the station was moved to the intersection of highways 215 and 243 and then restored from top to bottom, with the help of the population, to become, in 1996, the Tourism Office.

This old railway station remains today one of the few architectural examples of small rural railway stations.
 
 
Former Foster Town Hall, (1917) Foster road
 
Alvin P. Hillhouse and Archibald M. Hunter built Foster Hall in 1917. The building soon became a popular meeting place. Council meetings took place here, dances were organized, silent movies were shown, and even the banks from Knowlton did business at this site. The Town of Foster bought the building in 1944. In the 1950’s the building was occupied by Green Mountain Wood Products that employed between 10 and 15, depending on the state of business. With time, the community centre’s role changed.
 
 

Fulford

St. Stephen Anglican Church (1862), Davis Road
 
It was in 1862 that the Anglican parish of Fulford came into being. The faithful, however, had to wait three years before being able to celebrate services in St. Stephen’s. Built in the neo-gothic style, it is presumed that the church was built in two phases.
 

An entrance on the west-side wall leads us to believe that the tower over the present main entrance did not figure in the original plans. Religious services ceased in 1971 and today the building serves as a private residence.
 

Fulford United Church (1864), Davis road
 
This church, situated on Davis Road in Fulford, originally served a Methodist congregation. Built in 1864, this modest wood building has resisted the assault of the elements very well and constitutes a well-preserved part of our religious heritage.

 
 
 
 
Wright’s General Store, 69, Davis road
 
Wright General Store in Fulford is one of the last vestiges of a flourishing commercial past. While other businesses have had to close, one after the other, Wright’s has resisted the trend and still serves the local population. The combination general store, post office, and service station has allowed this establishment to carry on. Definitely worth a visit!
 

Note how the owners have worked hard to maintain the exterior aspects of the building as well as its various ornamental features.
 
 

Iron Hill

Holy Trinity Church (1864)
 
The construction of Holy Trinity Church started in 1864, approximately one year after the opening of the Anglican mission which had been placed in the charge of the Reverend Thomas W. Fyles. Two Montreal architects, Messrs. Lawford and Nelson, were given the task of drawing up the plans for the church. They adopted a sober style that reminds us of the architecture of rural English churches of the nascent gothic period. Three stained glass windows in the choir enliven the building.
 

The church is surrounded by green spaces, and is shaded by century old pine trees. The parish cemetery is nearby.

This small church in the neo-gothic style is unique in its arrangement of material – a style called carpenter gothic and observed in but a few Protestant churches in Quebec. This style is characterized by the vertical siding as opposed to the more usual horizontal siding.
 
 
 

West Brome

Church of the Ascension (1885), 2, McCurdy
 
The establishment of the West-Brome Anglican community goes back to 1864. The faithful, however, had to show great patience because their church was only built some 20 years later in 1885.
 


Like many other churches in the area, the style is neo-gothic. Its vertical lines are highlighted by a narrow bell tower, topped off by an ornamental wrought iron weathervane.
 
 
 
Old Round Barn (1915-1916), ch. Scott
 
Mr. David Bisaillon is responsible for the construction of this striking round barn, built in 1915-1916. The Bisaillon family was faced with the rebuilding of their barn after a fire, caused by lightning, had burned down the previous one that had been built in April 1915. Although the owners were, in the end, disappointed by their architectural choice because of construction costs, and the difficulties they had, to partition the interior of the building in an efficient manner, the barn remains today as a attraction that should not be missed. Indeed it is classified as a historical monument.

 
 

Edwards General Store (1851), McCurdy road
 
This is one of the most picturesque General Stores in the Eastern Townships. It has changed very little since 1851, and even today it remains resolutely a “general store”. One can find just about anything there, and despite the various expansions in the 20th century, nothing of the character of the original building has been changed. Note the window displays, and the small objects displayed at random, as well as the candy jars near the venerable cash register, the work clothes and tool section.



The sign, the windows and the interior divisions are from the era.

To go through the heavy doors with their uneven windows is a passport to a trip into the past, while you shop for the goods of today!


Call’s Mills Park, West-Brome

This site along the Yamaska River became a public park in the 1990’s. Here, hikers can discover, along the well maintained trails, a wooded area that contains a number of differing species. Visitors will be impressed by the sheer size of certain trees. They will also be able to admire some of the oldest White American Pines.