Mille-Isles Celebrates its 150th Year
Mille Isles is inviting residents and guests to
celebrated its 150th year of Incorporation in 2005.
Mille Isles is nested within rolling hills, beautiful
lakes, streams, and the “Bonnie Brook River”, runs through it. It
spans over an area of
59.98 km2
west of St. Sauveur, north of Lakefield and
Lachute. It is a year round beautiful spot for horseback riding, cross
country skiing, snow shoeing, swimming (weather permitting), and
walking.
The people of Mille Isles think that they have the best
of both worlds. They live in a peaceful and healthy environment, 20-30
minutes away from commercial centers, and just an hour from
Montreal. At night one can see the lights of Montreal
from the main highway near the community center.
This rural area was settled on the northern part of the
“Seigneury of Mille Isles,” by Irish, Scottish and English pioneers
who cleared the land, and lived mainly by logging and farming. The
community of about 500 (in 1861) to over 1200 (2003) permanent
inhabitants grew to include a lumber mill, blacksmith shop, cheese
factory, general store, and boarding houses. By
1860 Mille Isles had an Anglican Church, followed by a Presbyterian
one in 1863 and a Methodist church by 1877.
There
were
schools at
Cambria, Maple Grove and Hazelland,
three post offices starting with William Pollock as the 1st
Postmaster; and an “Orange Hall” (now a ball field) for social events.
This community continued the same way of life for over 100 years, but
gradually changed from farming, due to poor soil, to a haven for
weekend cottages for people wishing to escape the city.
(Photo: Presbyterian
Church.)
Driving
through the area one can still see street names such as: Pollock,
Hammond, Riddle, Dawson, McConnick, and Kirkpatrick to name but a
few. These are names of the first settlers who came to Mille Isles
during the 1830s to 1840s.
(Photo: N. Patterson's house.)
Some of the old homesteads are still here, including
one of the original log cabins.
Several
founding family members (of the 6th or 7th
generations) still live in Mille Isles; others maintain a country
place or return to retire at the homestead. 
The
original farms spread over 200-300 acres. Now the community is
fending off the threat of developers with strict zoning by-laws. Some
families still own enough land for a small farm or riding horses. The
life style is still country side, with ample space for outdoor
activities.
(Photo: Doug Dawson's house.)
The 150th Anniversary committee members:
David Hudson, Mille Isles Mayor (March
2003-November 2005), Shirley Captain, President
of the Mille Isles Historical Society, Joan Hudson, and Janet
McAllister.
