At the end of the 19th century, Québec City was a major hub in the international timber trade. The surrounding forests were still full of tall trees. These were cut and floated down the river to towns where they would be squared. Most of this timber was exported to Europe by ship.

1840 - 1890

The river: A flowing source of trade and industry

Thanks to its advantageous position on the St. Lawrence River, Québec City has long been a hub for Canada’s maritime traffic. Its port is particularly significant for the import and export of goods. Québec City’s economy relied heavily on the export of timber, which was abundant all around the city. This wood was used in shipbuilding, for example. Numerous other industries, such as pulp and paper, developed near the river in the late 19th century. Discover this aspect of Québec City’s past through the artwork and photos of the period!

Squaring wood

Auteur inconnu At the end of the 19th century, Québec City was a major hub in the international timber trade. The surrounding forests were still full of tall trees. These were cut and floated down the river to towns where they would be squared. Most of this timber was exported to Europe by ship.

Chronoscope What type of boats do you see in the background? (unilingual French for a limited time)

Depicted period: 1872

Source: Ville de Québec Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Date: 1872

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