terrain and loamy soils was one of
the most desireable agricultural
areas in the St. Lawrence River
valley. In the early settlement phase,
the river provided the major means
of transporting goods and people any
distance. Hence, the farmsteads were
established close to the river's edge.
As the demand for additional aerable
land increased, a new set of long lots
would be laid out behind the set facing
the river. Sets of long lots would be
separated by a "concession road".
Once road transportation became the
major mode of moving goods and
people, the original farmsteads sited
along the river's edge moved inland
to gain access to the concession road.
The long lot system encouraged the
development of a linear rural
settlement pattern -- travelling along
the concession roads was like passing
through a rural village. Over the years
long lots were subdivided into smaller
parcels to meet the needs of growing
farm families.
suburban housing for people who work in the Quebec City area. A bridge was built from
the North Shore to Isle d'Orleans in the 1960s. Urban-oriented housing now competes
with grains, forage, and small berry (e.g., blueberry) production on the island. Dairying,
cattle production, and the raising of swine and poultry also pursued on the island.
St. Hyacinthe. That was their home-town in childhood.
Grandpa Louis was born & raised.
Map of the
areas in
Quebec
where our
Roberge
Ancestors
grew up &
raised
families.
For
Reference:
St. Hyacinthe
and
Drummondville
are located
just north
of the US
border at
Vermont.