Saint Alphonse de Granby, Quebec

Geography

Approximately halfway between Montreal and Sherbrooke, Saint-Alphonse-de-Granby's geography is mainly flat and its great fields have been exploited for agricultural ends (maize is most popularly grown) and for grazing for centuries now; this region distinguishes itself by the presence of rocky zones that form outcrops scattered randomly (some of this rock is exploited in the municipality's large private quarry, owned by Groupe Sintra), mixed forests are also found but are threatened by deforestation serving for residential and commercial expansion. The Yamaska River flows through Saint-Alphonse-de-Granby, many creeks and ditches empty themselves in it there and a bridge allows autoroute 10 to pass over its waters. The crossing of autoroute 10 (at exit 68) and route 139 happens on this territory near its border with the town of Granby.

Neighboring Municipalities

The neighboring towns are Ange Gardien, Granby, Bromont, Brigham, Cowansville, Farnham et East Farnham, there is also an access to Saint-Paul-d'Abbotsford. The regional cycling network La route des champs traverses St-Alphonse, connecting it to many more towns via bike.

Ecology

Since it is a rural area with many fields, mixed forests, and marshlands, it harbors a great number of animals and plants that are active year-round such as coniferous trees, certain types of birds, fish, and mammals; many species are also present and active in a seasonal fashion because of their migratory or hibernation habits, others still, are flora that remain dormant during the cold seasons; in this group are several thousands of invertebrates, mammals, amphibians, birds, reptiles, grass, bushes, trees and fungi. Among the most imposing creatures encountered here are great blue heron and moose. Fruit-bearing plants are abundant in the forested regions and alongside roads; the richness of variety make it a coveted place for practices such as hunting, trapping, herbalism, and the collecting of sap in the spring.

A great cohabitation is noticed among humans and animals in this municipality in regards to wild species and domestic species; this is due to wildlife becoming accustomed to human presence, raising of cattle and poultry has much importance, many ranches are also established, and the keeping of domestic cat make it a common lurker. Long has man and nature cohabited at this location before the discovery of America by Columbus; the most important exploitation and the most damaging has happened from the arrival of the first French colonists that decided to farm the fields, up until the most recent development, seeing itself accelerated by modern residential, commercial and industrial growth. Many species of birds come to bird feeders and will live in residential neighborhoods all year. Many residents upkeep and cultivate flora that is alien to Quebec, this results in the presence of exotic species growing in many neighborhoods and natural spaces. The most tragic consequence for animals from the town is the construction of roads, which cost the lives of thousands of animals yearly.

Although its surface area is mostly reserved to the agricultural sector, the municipal council of St-Alphonse-de-Granby knows the importance of its green spaces and has inaugurated in the circa 2000 a trail in a forest. For a long time municipal and private lands have held a network of dirt roads destined to ATV and snowmobiles transport.

History

Around the 1800s the region that will become Saint-Alphonse-de-Granby is colonized, although we will not know it by that name until 1890. A one-room school is inaugurated on a land held by Georges D. Fuller in 1950 to educate the children of the area. In the circa 1855, Hungerford Mills, a sawmill, is constructed by Stephen Léonard Hungerford before it was sold to Joseph B. Hungerford, an American relative, who operates it fifteen years, until Thomas Ferguson took over; the mill is part of the Township of Granby. Another mill (for flour) appears before 1870, and it is around these two mills that slowly develops the village of Saint-Alphonse; it is then that houses begin to be built; the space is divided in four zones and many workers are hired to run roads across its territory. Many of the workmen that prepare Saint-Alphonse also work for the township of Granby.

The parish of Saint-Alphonse is decreed by the Diocese of Saint-Hyacinthe, Bishop Charles La Rocque, February 6, 1875. It is at the request of citizens from this area that a parson can be present on Sundays for mass; it is abbot Charbonneau that becomes parson of Adamsville and Saint-Alphonse, he lived three months under a co-citizen's roof while his clergy house near the church (which will be expanded in 1881). December 30, 1890, the municipality of Saint-Alphonse obtains the status of distinct and independent municipality after a petition by the residents of the Saint-Alphonse du Canton de Granby parish; it is in the town's school that the first council is elected, March 16, 1891, it is composed of six councilors and a mayor. Before the construction of a city hall (in 1985), the council rents a room in the town school to hold its sessions.

The town's church is hit by lightning in 1897 and a fire began, at the time, the parson was Pierre A. Saint-Pierre, he limits damages with the help of twelve parishioners; during the incident, the parson decides not to save the statue of Sainte-Anne on its altar. Although the fire leaves traces, the church is not entirely demolished; the bishop then, Bishop Moreau, mentions in a letter that it is Sainte-Anne that saved the building.

The 1900's

In the years near 1905, St-Alphonse undergoes a growth around a railroad and a train station (built by Onéisme Boisvert on rang Saint-Georges), it is a three stories construction that also houses a general store, hotel, as well as the living quarters of the owner's family; farmers bring their livestock on foot, then get them aboard wagons; local merchandise such as milk and lumber are all transported by train to be sold in Montreal. Later, the station is sold and moved, it also serves as a warehouse for products that arrive or are about to leave.

Between 1925 and 1929, bridges are restored in Saint-Alphonse, the municipal council have a new bridge built on 6ème rang, major amelioration is brought to the bridges of 3ème rang (modern rang Parent) and the town's bridge (a central pillar is added).

When Maurice Duplessis, premier of Quebec in the 40's, sets in motion rural electrification, it is teamwork of electricity cooperatives of Roxton Pond, Sainte-Cécile-de-Milton, Ange-Gardien, Saint-Alphonse, and Saint-Valérien who undertake the project in this region; the COOP didn't rival each other and instead create Coopérative d'électricité de Saint-Valérien de Shefford, inaugurated in 1947. An airport is established on the land that used to belong to Albert Lecours; it is sold to Granby three years later (its activity ceases with the arrival of Autoroute des Cantons in 1962).

A new general store (that sold fresh meat) is opened in 1951 when Omer Bédard buys a three-storied building in the heart of the village, it is a popular place that provides access to all essential household items; it also counts three apartments by 1957.

In 1963, the municipal council receives the preliminary plans to route 139, it will link the municipality to the highway at exit 38 (modern 68) which has a toll booth; construction lasts two years. The toll booth is converted after its abolition in 1988, transformed in La Maison du tourisme de l'Estrie.

Town hall is finally built, in 1986, at the crossroads of Principale street and route 139; the first public session is held in the new place May 16, 1986.

Population

Population trend:

Language

Mother tongue language (2006)

Notable Characters

From 1971 to 2012, Clément Choinière was mayor of Saint-Alphonse-de-Granby. He held the position 41 years (until his death) because he was the only mayoral candidate.