L'Assomption, Quebec
Encyclopedia
L'Assomption is an off-island suburb of Montreal
, in southwestern Quebec
, Canada
on the L'Assomption River
. It is the seat of the Regional County Municipality of L'Assomption
. It is located on the outer fringes of the Montreal
urban area.
Most of the economy depends on the agricultural industries of the surrounding plains. It is also the cultural center of the region.
was granted to Pierre Legardeur de Repentigny, named after the river already named such since the seventeenth century. Between 1640 and 1700, a settlement formed inside a large horseshoe-shaped meander of the L'Assomption River. Amerindians had already been visiting this site since ancient times and called it Outaragasipi meaning widening river, in reference to the river's course. They would drag their canoes across the peninsula as a short-cut for the meander, and therefore the settlement was first called Le Portage.
In 1717, the parish was formed, known thereafter as Saint-Pierre-du-Portage-de-l'Assomption and also as Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul-du-Portage. In 1766, the village saw an influx of Acadian settlers. Between 1774 and 1888, L'Assomption was the most prosperous and important town between Montreal and Trois-Rivieres.
In 1845, the L'Assomption Municipality was established, abolished in 1847, but reestablished as a parish municipality in 1855. In 1846, the village itself became a separate Village Municipality and obtained town status in 1888.
In 1992, the town and parish municipality were merged again, and on July 1, 2000, the neighbouring Parish Municipality of Saint-Gérard-Majella was amalgamated with Ville de L'Assomption.
In December 2010, the 1,300-worker Electrolux
factory announced that it would close, relocating to Memphis, Tennessee
.
Private dwellings occupied by usual residents: 6382 (total dwellings: 6526)
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, in southwestern Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
on the L'Assomption River
L'Assomption River
The Assomption River is the most important waterway in the Lanaudière region of Quebec, Canada, is over 200 km long, and has a drainage basin of 4220 km². Its source is the Mont Tremblant massif...
. It is the seat of the Regional County Municipality of L'Assomption
L'Assomption Regional County Municipality, Quebec
260px|rightL'Assomption is a regional county municipality in southwestern Quebec, Canada. The seat is in L'Assomption. The region is named for the L'Assomption River which flows through the region from the north before emptying into the Saint Lawrence River in the south of the region at...
. It is located on the outer fringes of the Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
urban area.
Most of the economy depends on the agricultural industries of the surrounding plains. It is also the cultural center of the region.
History
In 1647, the L'Assomption SeignorySeigneurial system of New France
The seigneurial system of New France was the semi-feudal system of land distribution used in the North American colonies of New France.-Introduction to New France:...
was granted to Pierre Legardeur de Repentigny, named after the river already named such since the seventeenth century. Between 1640 and 1700, a settlement formed inside a large horseshoe-shaped meander of the L'Assomption River. Amerindians had already been visiting this site since ancient times and called it Outaragasipi meaning widening river, in reference to the river's course. They would drag their canoes across the peninsula as a short-cut for the meander, and therefore the settlement was first called Le Portage.
In 1717, the parish was formed, known thereafter as Saint-Pierre-du-Portage-de-l'Assomption and also as Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul-du-Portage. In 1766, the village saw an influx of Acadian settlers. Between 1774 and 1888, L'Assomption was the most prosperous and important town between Montreal and Trois-Rivieres.
In 1845, the L'Assomption Municipality was established, abolished in 1847, but reestablished as a parish municipality in 1855. In 1846, the village itself became a separate Village Municipality and obtained town status in 1888.
In 1992, the town and parish municipality were merged again, and on July 1, 2000, the neighbouring Parish Municipality of Saint-Gérard-Majella was amalgamated with Ville de L'Assomption.
In December 2010, the 1,300-worker Electrolux
Electrolux
The Electrolux Group is a Swedish appliance maker.As of 2010 the 2nd largest home appliance manufacturer in the world after Whirlpool, its products sell under a variety of brand names including its own and are primarily major appliances and vacuum cleaners...
factory announced that it would close, relocating to Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
.
Demographics
Population:- Population in 2006: 16,738 (2001 to 2006 population change: 7.1 %)
- Population in 2001: 15,615
- Population in 1996:
- L'Assomption: 11,366
- Saint-Gérard-Majella: 4,207
- Population in 1991:
- L'Assomption: 10,817
- Saint-Gérard-Majella: 3,239
Private dwellings occupied by usual residents: 6382 (total dwellings: 6526)
Communities
- Domaine-Beaudoin-Papin
- Domaine-des-Fleurs
- L'Assomption
- Saint-Gérard-Majella