Dorchester Square – Place du Canada, 1878 (Dominion Square Park)
One the most important Parks in Montreal, ‘Dominion Square Park-Place du Canada’ (Dorchester Square), features many monuments relevant to the history of Montreal. The park located in downtown Montreal covers over five acres of green space. It was inaugurated in 1878 but work continued until recently.
The Park describes the growth of a political and industrial era prior to Confederation and the growth of railway technology and transportation. The park sits over a series of railway lines and the five kilometer tunnel of Canadian National Rail. The varied monuments are dedicated to persons who fought for a unified state prior to Confederation.
Important buildings include; Dominion Square Building – Gazette Building 1930, SunLife Building, CIBC Tower, Windsor CP Station and Central Station.
Important Monuments; Wilfred Laurier 1953 – Canada’s first French Prime Minister, Boer War Memorial 1907 – Lord Strathcona and John A. MacDonald 1895 – first Prime Minister of Canada.
In 1967, the Square was divided into two parts; the north part was renamed Dorchester Park after Baron Dorchester who supported the French in British North Amercia and the south part was renamed ‘Place du Canada’. After the death of Premier Rene Levesque 1968-1985, Dorchester Blvd., Montreal was renamed. The Square was renovated for Montreal’s 375th Anniversary by Claude Cormier Architects.
The daily chimes of SunLife building at 5pm leave a note of memorability for all who visit Montreal. On Canada Day many proud Canadians stand waiving their Flags at Dominion Square Park and photograph the representing nations in the Canada Day Parade.
The Park has a Historic designation from the Minister of Culture and Communications, Quebec 2012.
