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The wharf featured in this watercolour owes its name to the fascinating epic story of John McCallum, a highly successful Québec City merchant and politician. After making a reputation himself growing and exporting grain, he entered the brewing business and founded a company in his name around 1815. He then built a wharf.
1820 - 1831

Never far from the water

In 19th-century Québec City, the water was never far away. Whether the St. Lawrence or the St. Charles rivers, waterways surround the areas were the city’s main activities took place. Shipbuilding and shipping continued to be central to the local economy. Much of the population made its living off the close connection between city and water. Here are a few works by the era’s artists that bear witness to this relationship. Help us document these images with your knowledge!

The Lower Town Market as seen from McCallum’s Wharf in 1829

James Pattison Cockburn The wharf featured in this watercolour owes its name to the fascinating epic story of John McCallum, a highly successful Québec City merchant and politician. After making a reputation himself growing and exporting grain, he entered the brewing business and founded a company in his name around 1815. He then built a wharf.
Chronoscope Do you notice anything special about this image? (unilingual French for a limited time) Source: Library and Archives Canada Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Acc. No. R9266-120 - Peter Winkworth Collection of Canadiana - Date: 1829