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
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.