Buy a Home in Lachine

Geography 

Lachine is a residential borough located on the southern edge of the Island of Montreal. It is bordered by the municipalities of Dorval, Saint-Laurent, Cote-Saint-Luc, Montreal West, LaSalle, and Le Sud-Ouest. It covers an area of 17.83 square kilometers.

History

Formerly a city of its own, Lachine was merged into the city of Montreal in 2002 during the island-wide municipal mergers. However, unlike many other towns offered the opportunity in 2004, Lachine did not choose to re-establish as an individual entity and remains part of Montreal. Local legend suggests that Lachine, translated as "China," was founded in 1669 and named for the area's land owner, Robert Cavelier de la Salle. La Salle and his men were attempting to find a route through Canada to China and the other ports in Asia, yet returned to Lachine after a few years unsuccessful. The people in area began to call the region "Lachine" as a jab to the failed efforts of La Salle's expedition.

A corresponding parish was established in the territory named Saint-Anges-de-la-Chine nine years later. Lachine became a victim of frontier retaliatory violence when it was attacked by Mohawk Indians in 1689 in response to the colonists overtaking their lands. The attack claimed over eighty French Canadian colonists lives and was called the Massacre of Lachine. In spite of this tragedy, the city grew and flourished, and in 1872 it was established by the government as an incorporated town. It currently has a population of 41,391 residents.

Municipal and Demographics

The borough is divided into three districts, Fort-Rolland, Canal, and J.-Emery-Provost. Each district has a councilor who works with the mayor to manage the city government. The current governor of Lachine is Claude Dauphin. Over 60% of Lachine's population speaks French as their native language, while only 20% claim English as their primary language.

Recreations 

Residents enjoy the Lachine public market, which features local grown fruits and vegetables year round; it is a popular site for both residents and area tourists. A well-maintained bike path has been constructed along the Lachine Canal, and has made the borough a favorite for riding enthusiasts.

Culture

Lachine is home to many diverse cultural sites, such as the Rene Levesque Park, The Fur Trade at Lachine National Historic Site, and the Lachine Canal National Historic Site. The Musee de Lachine, a contemporary art museum, provides a unique combination of culture and history as it is located in the Maison LeBer-LeMoyne, a former fur trade post from 1669. The Maison is one of the oldest intact buildings in Montreal. The Musee Plein Air, translated as the "Open Air Museum," is also a cultural landmark of the area and features a sculpture garden that is one of the largest of its kind in the entire country.