Crossing the river between Québec City and Lévis in the early 19th century was easy when the ice was thick. It was, however, quite perilous at the beginning and end of winter. Two hundred specialists transported passengers and goods by canoe in between seasons, when the river was half water and half ice.

1823 - 1836

A destiny bound by ice!

Before the Québec Bridge opened in 1917, residents had two ways of crossing the river. In summer, they could take a boat across. In winter, however, they crossed on the ice bridge that formed when the river froze over. It was then that the crossing—by horse-drawn sleigh—was the quickest and easiest, and that the residents of Québec City and Lévis, on the opposite bank of the St. Lawrence River, spent the most time together. Rediscover this bygone era!

Crossing the St. Lawrence River in winter at Québec City, Lower Canada

George St. Vincent Whitmore Crossing the river between Québec City and Lévis in the early 19th century was easy when the ice was thick. It was, however, quite perilous at the beginning and end of winter. Two hundred specialists transported passengers and goods by canoe in between seasons, when the river was half water and half ice.

Chronoscope What other details do you see in this scene? (unilingual French for a limited time)

Depicted period: 1836

Source: Library and Archives Canada Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Acc. No. 1970-188-1051 - W.H. Coverdale Collection of Canadiana - Date: 1836

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