Richmond, Quebec

Richmond, population 3,336 (2006), is a town nestled amidst rolling farmlands on the Saint-François River between Sherbrooke, Quebec and Drummondville, in the heart of the Eastern Townships in Quebec, Canada.

Richmond today

Richmond as it exists today was created on December 29, 1999 following the merger of the "old" town of Richmond on the right bank of the Saint-François and the village of Melbourne, located on the other side.

History of Richmond

Originally settled by colonists from New England, Montreal and the Richelieu valley around 1798, Richmond is considered to be one of the oldest settlements in the Eastern Townships.

Richmond grew in importance during the 1800s when it became a key railway junction. The St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railway opened between Montreal and Portland, Maine on April 4, 1853 and was purchased four months later and absorbed into the Grand Trunk Railway's system. Two years later in 1855, the GTR opened a line from the mainline in Richmond northeast to Lévis to connect Montreal with Quebec City. The line was eventually extended further east to Rivière-du-Loup and a connection with the Intercolonial Railway, which operated trains on the GTR through Richmond to Montreal until 1897.

The town itself was first called "Richmond" in 1820, when a post office was inaugurated. By the 1860s Richmond was an important centre, with a college, literary institute and a public library.

Richmond's importance has waned since the 1930s, however, as the railways have also come to play a lesser role in the economy. The GTR was absorbed into the Canadian National Railways (CNR) and the line to Levis was abandoned in favour of other more direct lines from Montreal to Quebec City. In 1989, CNR sold the entire railway line from Montreal to Portland, via Richmond, to a short line operator.

Despite the decline in importance for rail transportation, Richmond remains an important centre for the shoemaking and clothing industries.

Origin of the name "Richmond"

The name "Richmond" is in memory of Charles Lennox, 4th Duke of Richmond and Lennox (1764–1819), Governor General of Upper Canada from 1818 to 1819.

Origin of the name "Melbourne"

The origin of the name "Melbourne" is uncertain, but the village is believed to have been named for Melbourne, Derbyshire or Melbourne, Hampshire.

Notable residents

* Mack Sennett, Hollywood director/pioneer

Particularities

* The reverse side of the 1954-series Canadian $2 dollar bill featured a view of the village of Melbourne.
* Richmond plays host to the second largest St. Patrick's Day Parade in Canada, behind only Montreal.