Pioneers' Obelisk (Montreal) facts for kids
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| Coordinates | 45°30′03″N 73°33′20″W / 45.500837°N 73.555642°W |
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| Location | Place d'Youville (Montreal) |
| Designer | J.A.U. Baudry |
| Type | Obelisk |
| Material | Stanstead grey granite |
| Height | 41 feet (12 m) |
| Beginning date | 1893 |
| Opening date | May 17, 1894 |
| Dedicated to | Montreal Founders |
The Pioneers' Obelisk is a tall, stone monument located in Old Montreal, a historic part of the city of Montreal. It stands as a special tribute to the brave people who first founded Montreal.
Contents
What is the Pioneers' Obelisk?
This granite obelisk remembers the founding of Fort Ville-Marie. Fort Ville-Marie later grew into the city we know today as Montreal. The city was founded very close to this spot on May 17, 1642.
The Société historique de Montréal (Montreal Historical Society) built the monument. They wanted to celebrate Montreal's 250th birthday.
The obelisk is made from a large block of grey granite. It stands about 41 feet (12.5 m) (12.5 meters) tall. At its bottom, it is 3 feet (0.91 m) (0.9 meters) wide. It took 40 horses to pull this huge stone into the city in 1893! The monument was officially shown to the public on May 17, 1894.
Where is the Obelisk Located?
The Pioneers' Obelisk has been moved several times over the years. It found its current home in 1999. When it was first built, it was a bit west of where it is now. In the 1940s, it moved again to the old Customs House.
Today, the monument stands in a very important spot. Many people believe this is the exact place where Montreal's very first church service (mass) was held.
Stories on the Obelisk's Plaques
Each of the four sides of the obelisk has a special metal plaque. These plaques tell different parts of Montreal's early history.
One plaque describes how Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve founded Montreal on May 18, 1642. Another plaque explains that the Société historique de Montréal created the monument. It also includes a quote from the first church service given by Barthélemy Vimont.
The plaque on the North side of the obelisk lists the names of the first colonists. These are the people who arrived between May and December 1642.
North Plaque: First Colonists
This plaque lists the names of the very first people who came to settle Montreal in 1642:
- Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve
- Jeanne Mance
- Catherine Barre
- Jean Corry
- Isabeau Panie (wife of Jean Corry)
- Jean Robelin
- Augustin Hebert
- Adrienne Du Vivier (wife of Augustin Hebert)
- Antoine Damien
- Marie Joly (wife of Antoine Damien)
- Jean Caillot
- Pierre Laimery
- Nicolas Godé
- Francoise Gadois (wife of Nicolas Godé)
- Francoise Godé (daughter of Nicolas Godé)
- Nicolas Godé (son of Nicolas Godé)
- Mathurine Godé (daughter of Nicolas Godé)
- Marie-Madeleine de Chauvigny de la Peltrie
It's important to know that Father Barthélemy Vimont, who led the first church service, is not on this list. However, we know he was there. The Godé family is often called the "First Family of Montreal." This is because their children were among the few young people who came with this first group of settlers.
South Plaque: Montreal's Founders
The plaque on the South side lists the "Founders of Montreal." These were the people who helped organize and pay for the mission to create the new settlement. Most of them stayed in France. Two important names highlighted are Jérôme le Royer de la Dauversière and Jean-Jacques Olier. Olier was the founder of the Society of Saint-Sulpice.
Gallery
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Place d'Youville, looking east
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Place d'Youville looking West
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Founders of Montreal (South plaque)
See also
In Spanish: Obelisco de los Pioneros para niños
