Created at the same time as Mackayville in 1947, the land of Jacques-Cartier corresponded to what had been left of the St-Antoine de Longueuil Parish after Longueuil, Saint-Lambert, Saint-Hubert, Montréal-Sud, Greenfield Park and Mackayville seceded from the parish. In 1948, a distant section of Jacques-Cartier (with no boundaries to the rest of the town) went on to form an independent municipality under the name of Préville. In 1949, Jacques-Cartier lost another portion of its territory which became Ville LeMoyne. Originally incorporated as a town, Jacques-Cartier gained the status of city in 1952.[1]
Jacques-Cartier grew extremely quickly, much too fast for its existing infrastructure. It lacked a sewer system and pavedroads.[2] It wasn't uncommon to see free-ranging dogs in the city.[2] Houses were built as soon as the owner had the materials required to make one.[2] This led to a mishmash of buildings along its streets.[2] It was known as the Wild West of Quebec.[2]
Jacques-Cartier merged with the city of Longueuil in 1969.[2] Although Jacques-Cartier was at least four times larger and had twice the population of Longueuil, it was the latter's name that was retained because of historic reasons (Longueuil was a much older city than Jacques-Cartier).
Today, the western part of what used to be Jacques-Cartier is primarily low-income, highly populated, retail-oriented and completely built-up. The architecture in this area can be defined as a mishmash and non-uniform, as buildings were usually constructed when the property owners had enough money to build them. The eastern part, on the other hand, tends to be the opposite. It is by far less densely populated than its western counterpart and contains the industrial section of Longueuil. Recently built designer mansions and condominiums are plentiful (notably in the Collectivité-Nouvelle and Parcours du Cerf neighbourhoods), and the area is becoming increasing built up. The Fatima neighbourhood (which borders the city of Boucherville) is similar to the western part, with many houses and apartment buildings dating from Jacques-Cartier.
The city hall, police station and fire station of Jacques-Cartier were all located together in a building at the corner on Curé-Poirier boulevard and Brebeuf street.[3] This site still serve as an office building for the modern city of Longueuil and also include a fire station.
Jacques-Cartier was overwhelmingly francophone. It had twelve Catholic parishes at the time of its merger with Longueuil in 1969. The clergy played a large role in the success of the community. It ran various social organizations and was in charge of education in the city.[2]
Education
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