L'empreinte de Robert Conroy - Robert Conroy's Footprint - Gatineau, Québec
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member Weathervane
N 45° 23.684 W 075° 50.835
18T E 433683 N 5027150
Ce panneau d'interpretation nous informe de la présence de Robert Conroy à Aylmer et des édifices qu'il y a fait construire. This interpretation panel informs us of Robert Conroy's presence in Aylmer and the buildings that he had built there.
Waymark Code: WM169EX
Location: Québec, Canada
Date Posted: 06/07/2022
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member Alfouine
Views: 0

Inscription sur le panneau d'interprétation:

L'empreinte de Robert Conroy

Robert Conroy, l'un des pionniers d'Aylmer, avec Charles Symmes et John Egan, laisse encore flotter son aura sur la rue Principale: Il y a fait construire trois édifices tous encore existants. Né en Irlande, Conroy arrive dans la région, alors en plein essor, au début des années 1830. Saisissant le potentiel de « l’abord Symmes », il s’installe à Aylmer et se fait hôtelier avant de devenir un prospère commerçant de bois. Le premier de ses immeubles est le British Hotel qui ouvre ses portes en 1841. Il accueille les voyageurs de bâteaux à vapeur amenés par la diligence depuis Hull. En 1845, Conroy fait ériger une première maison familiale en pierre au 72 de la rue Principale puis dix ans plus tard, au 61, une résidence plus spacieuse qu’il appelle « Lakeview » en raison de la vue imprenable qu’elle offre sur le lac Deschênes. Cette élégante demeure restera dans la famille Conroy jusqu’en 1915.

Le British, témoin de l’histoire d’Aylmer:

L’hotel British est, depuis plus de 175 ans, un témoin précieux de l’histoire aylmeroise. La première assemblée municipale de la ville s’y est tenu en 1847. Après le grand feu de 1921, il a temporairement servi d’école et d’église. De nombreux politiciens et des milliers de visiteurs, de part et d’autres de la rivière des Outaouais, l’on fréquenté pour profiter de sa cuisine et de ses divertissements. Même s’il a changé de main plusieurs fois, le British, restauré au milieu des années 2010, maintient fidèlement, depuis son ouverture, ses services d’hôtellerie et de restauration.

De la grande visite: Louis Cyr au British!

Louis Cyr est venu quelque fois au British, mais son passage en 1898 a marqué les esprits. L’homme fort aimait lancer des défis. Cette année là, il parie 10$ qu’il peut tordre n’importe quel fer à cheval. Des farceurs en font fabriquer un par un forgeron, deux fois plus épais que la normale. Louis Cyr, stupéfait, échoue à le plier. Il apprend plus tard la supercherie et se rend au British ou les tricheurs célèbrent leur bon coup. Cyr est bon joueur: il soulève sous leurs yeux ébahis une barrique de 300 livres de bière et les oblige ensuite à boire tout son contenu devant lui. On raconte que les gaillards faisaient peine à voir le lendemain et qu’ils ne truqueront plus jamais de fer à cheval.

Inscription on the interpretation panel:

Robert Conroy's Footprint

Robert Conroy, one of the pioneers of Aylmer, along with Charles Symmes and John Egan, still lets his aura float on Principale Street: He built three buildings there, all of which still exist. Born in Ireland, Conroy arrived in the booming region in the early 1830s. Seizing the potential of the "Symmes approach", he settled in Aylmer and worked as a hotelier before becoming a prosperous timber merchant. The first of its buildings was the British Hotel, which opened its doors in 1841. It welcomed travelers on steamboats brought by stagecoach from Hull. In 1845, Conroy erected a first family stone house at 72 Principale Street, then ten years later, at 61, a more spacious residence which he called "Lakeview" because of the breathtaking view it offered of the Lac Deschenes. This elegant residence will remain in the Conroy family until 1915.

The British, witness to the history of Aylmer:

The British Hotel has been a valuable witness to Aylmer history for more than 175 years. The first municipal assembly of the city was held there in 1847. After the big fire from 1921 it temporarily served as a school and church. Many politicians and thousands of visitors, from both sides of the Ottawa River, have frequented to enjoy its cuisine and entertainment. Although it has changed hands several times, the British, restored in the mid-2010s, has faithfully maintained its hotel and restaurant services since its opening.

See Also: (visit link)

Big visit: Louis Cy at the British!

Louis Cyr came to the British a few times, but his passage in 1898 made an impression. The strong man liked to challenge. That year, he bet $10 that he can twist any horseshoe. Pranksters have one made by a blacksmith, twice as thick as normal. Louis Cyr, amazed, fails to fold it. He later learns of the deception and goes to the British where the cheaters celebrate their good shot. Cyr is a good player: he raises a barrel of 300 pounds of beer before their astonished eyes and
then forces him to drink all of its contents in front of him. It is said that the fellows were hard to see the next day and that they would never rig horseshoes again.
Group that erected the marker: La ville de Gatineau - The City of Gatineau

Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary:
74 rue Principale - 74 Principale Street
Gatineau, Québec Canada


URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: Not listed

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