Ormstown, Quebec
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Ormstown, Quebec | |
— Municipality — | |
Coordinates (81, rue Lambton): | |
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Country | Canada |
Province | Quebec |
Region | Montérégie |
RCM | Le Haut-Saint-Laurent |
Incorporated | 26 Jan, 2000 |
Government | |
- Mayor | John McCaig |
- Federal MP (Beauharnois—Salaberry) |
Claude DeBellefeuille (Bloc Québécois) |
- Quebec MNA (Huntingdon) |
Albert De Martin (Action Démocratique du Québec) |
Area | |
- Land | 141.72 km² (54.7 sq mi) |
Population (2006) | |
- Total | 3,651 |
- Density | 25.8/km² (66.8/sq mi) |
- Change (~2001) | +0.1% |
- Dwellings | 1,522 |
Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
Area code(s) | 450 |
Access Routes | Route 138 Route 201 |
Ormstown is a town in Quebec, Canada, which is situated on the Chateauguay River in the heart of the Chateauguay Valley. It is approximately 1 hour southwest of Montreal and 20 minutes north of New York State in the United States. The town's population is approximately 3,500 people. Francophones comprise about 65% of the population. In 2000. the town merged with the surrounding parish of St-Malachie d'Ormstown to form the Municipality of Ormstown. [1]
Ormstown has two elementary schools, one high school (Chateauguay Valley Regional), and two adult education facilities, several restaurants and churches. Ormstown is also well known for its numerous antique dealers and unique gift shops. There is a park north of the centre of town which is home to Ormstown Beach, an urban legend created and memorialized in the 1970s with "I've been to Ormstown Beach" bumper stickers. It is a popular summer activity to cycle along the Chateauguay River. The town has traces of an old dam, which was once the source of power for the mill. People living outside the town only gained access to electricity following World War II.
In the 1950s, Ormstown became the site of a significant microwave radio relay station, part of the Trans Canada Telephone System. Initially, the system passed through the major cities of Canada via towers located on top of downtown telephone buildings. Subsequently, concerns were expressed that a disaster affecting any of those city cores, such as a war or uprising, would result in an interruption of the continuity of the transcontinental communications system. The solution was to locate a "bypass" microwave site outside each of those cities with links to the east and west as well as a short link into the city. The Ormstown facility was the bypass point for Montreal, but had further significance as it also included a link to the AT&T Long LinesTD2 microwave system in the United States.
Ormstown, along with neighboring Franklin have tire dumps where old tires are stored in large piles visible from outer space[citation needed].
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[edit] Ormstown Fair
One of the town's main attractions is the Ormstown Fair, which was started in 1914. It is held annually during the second week of June, making it Quebec's earliest spring fair. Several competitions take place at the fair: farm animals, crafts, horticulture and baked goods are evaluated by judges and can be viewed by fairgoers. Other competitions include tractor pull, demolition derby, and equestrian events. Additionally, there are carnival rides, arcades, a petting zoo, and live musical performances. The Ormstown fair attracts people from all over the surrounding area.
[edit] Alan's Corners
Located near Ormstown, in the hamlet of Alan's Corners, is the site of the Battle of the Chateauguay, where on October 25, 1813 Canadian and Native forces fought and repelled an invading American force that was planning to attack Montreal during the War of 1812. There is a National Parks of Canada museum near the site of the battle.
[edit] Recent Events
The mayor, John McCaig, was recently re-elected and began his 2nd term in office with promises of eliminating the power lines on main street.[citation needed]. In a recent contest, organized televised by CTV Chateauguay Valley, Brittany Tremblay of Island Road won the annual "Coolest Kid in Ormstown" jamboree. She received one free ticket to the rides at the Ormstown fair and a year's supply of chicken feed. Conngratulations Brittany. [Recent winners: Jeff Courchesne, 2006, Brett Bohemen, 2005]
[edit] Nearby Towns and Townships
[edit] Geographic Location
Saint-Stanislas-de-Kostka | Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague |
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Godmanchester | Tres-Saint-Sacrement | ||||||
Ormstown | |||||||
Hinchinbrooke | Franklin |
[edit] References
[edit] External Links
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