The lighthouse of the island

When the first summer visitors arrived on the island, it was uninhabited and there were no buildings apart from a lighthouse. Located at the eastern end of the island, it was built by the federal government in 1875 to guide the many steamboats that were on the Ottawa River at the time. Although the lighthouse was built in 1875, the government did not take ownership of this part of the lot until 1877 after it was purchased from then owner, Basile Campeau.

In a notice published in the Canada Gazette on November 20, 1875 by the Department of Marine and Fisheries, mariners are advised that the lighthouse light has been in operation since October 18, 1875 and a brief description is given. It was a square wooden building, painted white, consisting of a tower and a small residence for the keeper. The tower’s end, approximately 30 feet (9.14 metres) above Lake of Two Mountains level, was fitted with a fixed light fixture. This lamp emitted a large white light which could be seen, in good weather, at a distance of 8 miles (12 kilometers) from all points of approach.

Félix Valois was the first keeper for several years (1875-1892). He was followed by Octave Beaulieu (1892-1903), Siméon Poirier (1904-1920) and Rosario Poirier (1920-1921).

In 1921, the light fixture of the lighthouse was replaced by an automatic system which brought to an end the time of the lightkeepers.

As for the lighthouse, it was demolished in 1935 and replaced by two concrete towers topped with automatic lamps which were finally deactivated in 1996.

To Île Cadieux

At the end of the 19th century, it was the great era of railroad construction and the birth of several railroad companies. The Vaudreuil-Dorion territory was particularly blessed with the establishment of several railroads linking Montreal to Toronto. In 1884, the new Vaudreuil and Prescott Railway Company wanted to link Montreal to Ottawa via Rigaud. In early 1890 the company changed its name to the Montreal and Ottawa Railway and proceeded with the work. On October 4, 1890, the new line was opened between Vaudreuil-Station and Rigaud, but it was not until September 6, 1898 that the line reached Ottawa.

On this line, a stop was planned to access Cadieux Island and an access road to the railway was built on the Cadieux family’s land to allow travelers to reach their destination.This private road, named montée Cadieux, was recovered by the Quebec government in 1939.

The arrival of the railroad marked the beginning of the great era of vacationing, which would be decisive for the development of the island.