Fort Longueuil facts for kids
Fort Longueuil was a strong stone fort that stood in Longueuil, New France (which is now Canada). It was built around 1690 and was taken down in 1810.
This fort is very special because it was recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada on May 25, 1923. This means it's an important place in Canadian history. Today, you can find the archaeological site (where old things are studied) of the fort under the Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue Cathedral. Fort Longueuil was one of the few buildings in Canada that looked like a castle from Europe. It was a home that was also a fort, making it quite unique!
Contents
History of Fort Longueuil
Why the Fort Was Built
Long ago, the land of New France was split into large areas called seigneuries. This was done to help protect the colony. One of these areas was the Seigneury of Longueuil. It was given to a man named Charles Le Moyne.
His son, Charles Le Moyne de Longueuil, decided to build a strong home for himself. Between 1685 and 1690, he built the fort with four towers. It was made completely of stone. Inside, it had a guard house, a small church (chapel), and living areas.
Becoming a Barony
Later, important leaders like Louis de Buade de Frontenac and Jean Bochart de Champigny asked King Louis XIV of France to make the Seigneury of Longueuil a special noble area called a barony. The King agreed in 1700, creating the Barony of Longueuil.
Charles Le Moyne de Longueuil became the first Baron. He was the only person born in Canada to be given the title of Baron by a French King.
Life of the Fort
Fort Longueuil was likely used by American soldiers during the American Revolutionary War. After that, it was taken over by the British. The fort was in poor condition, so it was torn down in 1810.
Where Fort Longueuil Was Located
The fort was in the area known as Old Longueuil. Parts of it were on the land where the Co-Cathedral of Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue stands today. It also stretched across Saint-Charles Street, Chambly Road, and where a Laurentian Bank branch and a restaurant are now. You can even see parts of the fort inside a Royal Bank of Canada branch through a special opening in the floor!
What Fort Longueuil Looked Like
The fort was quite large, measuring about 68 meters (223 feet) long and 46 meters (150 feet) wide. Inside the fort, there were several buildings:
- A main house that was about 22 meters (72 feet) by 7 meters (24 feet).
- A chapel (small church) that was about 14 meters (45 feet) by 7 meters (22 feet).
- A guard house, about 7.6 meters (25 feet) by 7.6 meters (25 feet).
- A barn that was about 21 meters (70 feet) by 9 meters (30 feet).
- Another barn that could hold 12 horses.
- Stables that could hold 40 cattle.
- A barn that was 9 meters (30 feet) by 9 meters (30 feet), plus other farm buildings.
