In 1929, Thaddée Lebel was commissioned to photograph Des Fossés Street from every angle. This contract came at a time when the city planned to demolish some of the Saint-Roch district to build a new thoroughfare. Lebel’s images capture how this neighbourhood looked before it was reconfigured to make way for Charest Boulevard.

1920 - 1929

Thaddée Lebel, a pioneer of photography in Québec City

Québec City has inspired many a photographer. One of the best known is Thaddée Lebel. Born in Québec City in 1874, he began his career at the Livernois Studio in 1888. From 1913 onwards, he built a solid reputation as an independent photographer. The provincial secretariat and archives, the provincial exhibition commission and the City of Québec called on him to document various events. He was also the one who took the many photographs of the construction of the Château Frontenac’s central tower. His work provides precious documentation of life in Québec City from the 1920s to the 1940s. Let’s learn more about his career!

View of De la Couronne Street from the corner Des Fossés Street

Thaddée Lebel In 1929, Thaddée Lebel was commissioned to photograph Des Fossés Street from every angle. This contract came at a time when the city planned to demolish some of the Saint-Roch district to build a new thoroughfare. Lebel’s images capture how this neighbourhood looked before it was reconfigured to make way for Charest Boulevard.

Chronoscope Can you locate where this photo was taken? (unilingual French for a limited time)

Depicted period: 1929

Source: Ville de Québec Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Thaddée Lebel Fonds - Date: 1929-05-06

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