A history to discover       

Heritage walk

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The MacKay Villa

In  1866, George Benson Hall, the owner of important sawmills had this summer home built in the English style.

  Some years later, the house became the propriety of Reverend Charles C. Hamilton (the east side) and Mr. Robert Mackay who was in the early 1900’s one Canada’s 23 wealthiest financiers purchased the west side.  He was also a senator in Ottawa and sat on many boards of directors.

Snetsinger Villa

Engaged by the architect François-Xavier Berlinguette, decorator of the church interior, the Snetsinger villa was built in 1854 by Pierre Gosselin. Of traditional appearance, it is complimented by a large central pinion provided with three small windows surrounded by neo-Tudor decorative elements.

This villa is one of the very few located on the south side of the King’s road. In 1861, Felix Gagnon bought it and rented it to tourists during several years, but eventually sold it to John Gray Goodal Snetsinger in 1876.

Mr. Snetsinger was appointed at the Ontarian Parliament from 1871 to 1879 and was mayor of Cornwall then later, became a deputy in Ottawa.

Recommended book:
The legendary M. Wylie Blanchet, as a young girl, spent her summers at her grand-father's Villa (Mr. Snetsinger). She became a legend in British Columbia as can be read in an amazing book - Following the Curve of Time (BC Best Seller list) published in the spring of 2008 by Cathy Converse. ISBN 9781-894898-68-3

Montrose

This Gregorian style residence was built in 1900 for Sir Montagu Allen (heir to the Allan Line fleet, numbering 32 ocean liners in 1890). 

The Allens enjoyed themselves here until 1914 and on occasion until 1938.  In 1941, the Capucins Order of Franciscans bought the castle for $ 10 000.

*Historica l'encyclopédie canadienne

Pine Cottage

A medieval style castle, of the rural gothic architecture, it was constructed in 1867 for William Markland (of the famous Molson family from Montreal, founder of the Molson brewery.). 

It was successively acquired by dame Isabelle Ann Allan in 1875 and by dame Agnes E. Budden (widow of Montreal banker Edwin H. King) in 1902 who kept the property for the next 70 years. 

Pine cottage draws its name from the wide pine boards that cover both the exterior and interior.

Sirois General store

M.Henri-Joseph Sirois had his general store built in 1865 and sold all the products that the local population and the tourists needed.

These products were shipped to him by boat (goélettes) in large barrels and later, they arrived by railroad as the train station opened in Cacouna in 1872. The store was made larger in 1873 and renovated in 1898.

This building was the home of the Banque Nationale for a while, the caisse populaire during a certain number of years and also, was used as the post office for over thirty years.

Hôtel Dufferin House

Abraham DeVillier had this grand house built in 1864.  The ground floor was used as the general store and the upper floors were rented during the summer months as well as a section of the stable.

In 1893, Jeremiah M. Pollock bought the house, added another story and transformed it into a hotel which could house fifty some clients at the time.  Since 1919, the Lévesque family continued to welcome visitors until recently.

The Dufferin house (l'Auberge Wulustuk) is home to the Café-Bistro Matuwesh which offers a "native flavour" (Maliseet).

Airlie villa

In 1863, carpenter Abraham Gagnon was tasked by Williams Poston, a merchant from Quebec City, to build a summer residence. 

This Villa is unique by its Victorian architectural details of gingerbread trim along the roof.  Richly carved moldings adorned the rectangular windows and the impressive front entrance.

The foundation was elevated because he wanted to install a kitchen in the basement.  A broad wraparound veranda facilitates the daily activities.

The Lebel house

In 1805, Jean Baptiste Lebel from Kamouraska arrives in order to settle on a piece of land allotted to his father in 1794.  He was one of the first 167 landowners of the LeParc seigniory. 

Some years later, his son Hyacinthe built a large farmhouse.   Since then, six generations of Lebel have lived there. 

Towards the late 1800 and the early 20e century, families rented their farmhouse to English or French Canadian city dwellers so they could take advantage of the summer and enjoy their favourite sports.

Dunningham house

Built in 1861 for François X. Hudon dit Beaulieu, this traditional Québécoise house is characterized by its raised foundation and is wrapped by a partially covered veranda.

  This house was also rented to the tourists for the summer season.  Around 1863, Peter Dunningham, a gardener of Irish origin, began farming for the Beaulieu and later in 1896, purchased the land. 

La Sapinière

Inspector at the Molson Bank, Augustin Durnford had this summerhouse built around 1900. 

This romantic villa with four pediment gables inspired from the gothic style and trimmed with fancy Victorian woodwork became the propriety of François-Xavier Lemieux en 1939

The Ross Villa

This villa of the néo-gothic style was built for Mr. John Ross in 1865, north of the King road (chemin du Ro). Mr. Ross, a prosperous wood merchant (John Ross Co) spent 37 summers at the villa with his family.

Later, in 1902, the villa was purchased by Andrew Alexander Allen (of the Allen family, Allan Line fleet numbering 32 ocean liners in 1890).

In 1942, it was turned into a hotel with some cabins which offered guests grand sunsets on the St – Lawrence river. During the 1970’s, the Létourneau family welcomed guests on the premises.