Montreal road crews unearth 1860s era botanical garden where hippos once roamed
Montreal road crews unearthed a buried part of the city's past when they discovered botanical gardens from the 1860s.
Crews renovating an area of Pins Ave. near Parc Ave. in the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough found the "Guilbault Gardens" which also had a zoo with a beluga whale and elephants.
After making the discoveries, archaeologists were called in and dug up part of the imposing Guilbault Gardens fountain.
"They believe they found the stone at the entrance of this largest, most important zoological garden in Canada at the time," said Jeanne-Mance city Councillor Alex Norris. "One hundred and fifty species kept at this zoo!"
Joseph-Edouard Guilbault's botanical and zoological gardens were a large-scale attraction.
"They had hippopotamus, elephants, and a whale on display right here on the corner of Pins and Clark avenues," said Norris.
Other small artifacts, such as inkpots and fragments of crockery from residential buildings, that were expropriated to allow the construction of Pine Ave. at the end of the 19th century, have also been unearthed.
The extensive work being done on Pins involves replacing the underground infrastructure. The renovations will alter the area to a more pedestrian-friendly neighbourhood like it was during the age of the Guilbault Gardens, with lots of trees and wide sidewalks along the stretch of road.
As crews continue to work east towards St-Denis St., they will keep an eye out for more finds.
"There's a whole wealth of archeological material under the street here," says Norris.
The city wants "to take advantage of this opportunity to better understand the history of our city, which is very rich, particularly in the older neighbourhoods like this one."
Despite its success, the Guilbault business went bankrupt in 1869.
The fountain was destroyed, and the land was subdivided for sale.
Yet, a tribute remains - a plaque honouring Guilbault and his accomplishments on the small street that bears his name in the area.
In addition, a pink hippopotamus public art installation is on permanent display as a reminder that there were once hippos here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.