Country Canada Time zone EST (UTC−5) Area code(s) 450 and 579 Area 144.5 km² Local time Sunday 8:27 PM | Constituted January 26, 2000 Postal code(s) J0S 1K0 Highways Route 138
Route 201 Population 3,595 (2011) Province Québec | |
 | ||
Weather 1°C, Wind E at 11 km/h, 77% Humidity RCMs Montérégie, Le Haut-Saint-Laurent Regional County Municipality | ||
Ormstown is a municipality in Quebec, Canada, which is situated on the Chateauguay River in the heart of the Chateauguay Valley. It is approximately one hour southwest of Montreal and 20 minutes north of New York State in the United States. The population as of the Canada 2011 Census was 3,595 of which Francophones comprise about 65%.
Contents
- Map of Ormstown QC Canada
- History
- Communities
- Lakes Rivers
- Ormstown Fair
- Allans Corners
- Government
- Transportation
- References
Map of Ormstown, QC, Canada
Ormstown has two elementary schools, one high school (Chateauguay Valley Regional), and two adult education facilities, several restaurants and churches. Ormstown is also well known for its numerous antique dealers and unique gift shops. There is a park north of the centre of town which is home to Ormstown Beach, an urban legend created and memorialized in the 1970s with "I've been to Ormstown Beach" bumper stickers. It is a popular summer activity to cycle along the Chateauguay River. The town has traces of an old dam, which was once the source of power for the mill. People living outside the town only gained access to electricity following World War II.
Ormstown will be the host of the 34th Quebec 4-H Rally, happening the first weekend of July. 4-H members from across the province will visit the area with their projects that consist of cattle, horses, handicrafts, public speaking and more.
History
In the 1950s, Ormstown became the site of a significant microwave radio relay station, part of the Trans Canada Telephone System. Initially, the system passed through the major cities of Canada via towers located on top of downtown telephone buildings. Subsequently, concerns were expressed that a disaster affecting any of those city cores, such as a war or uprising, would result in an interruption of the continuity of the transcontinental communications system. The solution was to locate a "bypass" microwave site outside each of those cities with links to the east and west, as well as a short link into the city. The Ormstown facility was the bypass point for Montreal, but had further significance as it also included a link to the AT&T Long Lines TD2 microwave system in the United States.
In 2000. the town merged with the surrounding parish of St-Malachie d'Ormstown to form the Municipality of Ormstown.
Communities
The following locations reside within the municipality's boundaries:
Lakes & Rivers
The following waterways pass through or are situated within the municipality's boundaries:
Ormstown Fair
One of the town's main attractions is the Ormstown Fair, which was started in 1910. It is held annually during the second week of June, making it Quebec's earliest spring fair. Several competitions take place at the fair: farm animals, crafts, horticulture and baked goods are evaluated by judges and can be viewed by fairgoers. Other competitions include a tractor pull, demolition derby, and equestrian events. Additionally, there are carnival rides, arcades, a petting zoo, and live musical performances. The Ormstown fair attracts people from all surrounding areas.
Allan's Corners
Located near Ormstown, in the hamlet of Allan's Corners, is the site of the Battle of the Chateauguay, where on October 26, 1813 Canadian and Native forces fought and repelled an invading American force that was planning to attack Montreal during the War of 1812. The site is a National Historic Site of Canada, and there is a Parks Canada museum near the site of the battle.
Government
Jacques Lapierre was elected to fill the post of mayor on November 1, 2009, replacing interim mayor Luc Lavigueur. Lavigueur took over the post after former mayor John McCaig resigned for health reasons.
Transportation
The CIT du Haut-Saint-Laurent provides commuter and local bus services.