Vauquelin Square facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vauquelin Square |
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| French: place Vauquelin | |
The fountain at Vauquelin Square
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| Type | Town square |
| Location | Old Montreal, Ville-Marie Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Created | 1858 |
| Operated by | City of Montreal |
| Status | Open all year |
Vauquelin Square (officially called French: Place Vauquelin) is a small open space in Old Montreal. It's a popular spot for people to relax and enjoy the city.
Contents
History of Vauquelin Square
The land where Vauquelin Square now stands has a long history. It was once part of a large piece of land given to Lambert Closse in 1658. Later, it became property of the Jesuits, a religious group. In 1763, the land became property of the Crown, which means it belonged to the King of England.
For many years, an old prison stood on this spot until 1836. In 1846, the government of Quebec decided to take control of the prison. They tore it down in 1850 to make space for a new courthouse.
Creating Neptune Square
After the old prison was removed, there was an open area next to the new courthouse. In 1858, this land was turned into a public square. It was first named "Neptune Square." In the middle of the square, a beautiful fountain was built. This fountain featured a statue of Neptune, who was known as the God of the Sea in ancient myths. Later, in 1895, a small building for a newspaper stand was added to the square.
Renaming the Square
In 1902, the city of Montreal rented the land for a very small fee of one dollar per year. After the City Hall building was rebuilt, the square was briefly called "City Hall Square" in 1924.
Six years later, in 1930, the square was renamed Vauquelin Square. This new name honored Jean Vauquelin, a brave captain in the French navy. A statue of him, made by Paul-Eugène Benet, was placed in the square. It was officially shown to the public on June 22, 1930. Jean Vauquelin was known for his courage during important battles like the Siege of Louisbourg and the Battle of Neuville during the Seven Years' War. The entire monument is about 6.8 meters (22 feet) tall, and the statue of Vauquelin itself is 2.8 meters (9 feet) tall.
Honoring Jacques Viger
On June 5, 1933, the mayor at the time, Fernand Rinfret, revealed a special plaque in the square. This plaque was put there to remember Jacques Viger, who was the very first mayor of Montreal.
Modern Changes to the Square
In 1966, Vauquelin Square was updated to look more like it does today. The monument of Jean Vauquelin was moved a little further north. Before this, cars were allowed to drive on both sides of the statue. More changes were made to the square in 1984 to improve it even further.
Images for kids
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The fountain
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Vauquelin Square and Nelson's Column
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Jacques Viger plaque
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