Tourism in the 19th century

1. Around 1851, the tourist industry is booming.  Boat cruises are being organized with its destination Cacouna; thanks to the many praises about the charm of this region of the lower St Lawrence and the beneficial saline air .  The train or the steam boat are the main ways to travel. 

Summer tourism and  superb villas built by fortunate Anglophones families grows in the village, on the north side between the Kings road and the cliff.  The summer population doubles and grand hotels are built. 

The St Lawrence Hall built in 1863, with its 600 rooms, the dining room which could welcome up to 800 guests, the bowling hall and the evening galas which were sought after by the well off  vacationers. 

But with a cost of $ 2.50 per day, room and board, this was really a luxury.  Stables and a racing track were located across the street.

2. Tourism is booming

The tourists, here for a short stay only, have taken pension at the hotels Mansion House, Dufferin House, Cacouna House and St-Lawrence Hall, renowned for their good services.

It is to be noted that our habitants vacated their large house in order to rent it to tourists.Finally, the summer villas have opened their doors to the "Sir, Lady and Family" of the high society.

The merchants and the population in general wishes the best of welcome to the vacationers and a season filled with sunny days.

3. Massive arrival of tourists at Cacouna

23 June 1887

Cacouna, these days gives the impression of being invaded from all sides: trains, boats and streets are full of strangers who are coming to stay for part or the whole summer season in our location.

The local carriage operators are happy to go and pick up passengers and luggage; as for the cows and horses transported on the boats by the Richelieu Company, the boats draw alongside the pier at Rivière du Loup. 

Carriage operators assume the duty of taking them from the pier to the stables of their owners.

Émile Nelligan

Émile Nelligan, the famous poet, was one of these summer tourists who  spent some of his summer holidays in Cacouna between 1886 and 1897. 

Nelligan and his family stayed in a villa called Firwood Cottage or "peek a boo" like the kid's game because that villa was one of the three villas hidden under the trees by the river. He was certainly inspired by some of those fine summer days.

3.And how much did it cost in 1894?   

More and more we hear the words "Inflation", "Price increase", "Cost of living" in the news.  If you were 1894, here is how much you would pay for these articles:

1	Fur coat	$ 3.23		1	Bottle of perfume	$ 0.20
2 lbs	Brown sugar	$ 0.08		1	Brick of cheese	$ 0.25
1	Gallon of syrup	$ 0.55		1	Wooden shovel	$ 0.10
1	Pair of shoes	$ 0.03		1 lbs	onions	$ 0.05
1	Pair of boots	$ 0.60		1	Skirt	$ 1.96
1	Bag of Canadian tobacco	$ 0.10		100 lbs	Flour	$ 2.00
3 lbs	Cookies	$ 0.30		1	Pair of glassess	$ 0.15
1	Straw hat	$ 0.25		1	Pair of shoe laces	$ 0.03
5 lbs	Rice	$ 0.20		1 lbs	Butter	$ 0.20
1 dz	Beer	$ 1.20		1	Wool toque	$ 0.55
12 dz	Smoked haring	$ 0.40		1	Wooden pipe	$ 0.45

4. CACOUNA CAKE

Have you ever tasted Cacouna cake? Below you will find the recipe published in 1900 in Miss K. H. Marsh's recipe book.

MISS K.H. MARSH- My pet recipes

CACOUNA CAKE`

Read the whole recipe book here

3 cups of sugar
2 cups of butter
7 eggs
1 pound of raisins
1 glass of wine
1 nutmeg
1 cup of sour milk
1 tablespoon of soda
5 cups of flour

Beat the butter to a cream, then add the sugar and the eggs (well beaten) the fruit, the wine and the spice then the flour and lastly the soda dissolved in a cup of sour milk.