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The old train station of Routhierville ADLRM©
Known in the past under the name of Assemetquagan, Routhierville was founded by the first descendant of the village, Charles-Ernest Trudel.
Known in the past under the name of Assemetquagan, Routhierville was founded by the first descendant of the village, Charles-Ernest Trudel.
The initial name of the mission was Assemetquagan, which means "the river that we discover after a curve" in the Micmac language.
The first inhabitants settled and celebrated their first mass in 1878 and the chapel and school were built in 1909.
The origin of the name Routhierville comes from the hamlet situated nearby. The name of this hamlet is in the honor of Alphonse Routhier who was the train station chief. In the years of colonization, the life of the inhabitants was centered around the train station that was built in 1878 and also the Atlantic salmon fishing. At this time, the population used a boat to cross the Matapedia River.
The locomotives stopped in Routhierville to take on water via a cast-iron pipe.
This water came from the stream that runs alongside my property and flows into a culvert under the road. The culvert then empties further down, but on the other side of my neighbor's property, where there's a dam built to collect the water, as it flows year-round.
From there, the cast-iron pipe crosses the road, passes through my property, and goes under the railway line about 200 meters down. At this point, remnants of that era can still be found, and it remains in use by a few residents.
These were steam locomotives, which needed water to produce steam and operate.
The water was heated in a boiler to create steam, which powered the engine's pistons. Stations, like those located at stopping points or near water sources, therefore served as refueling stations for the locomotives.
Steam production: Water was essential for the operation of steam locomotives. It was burned with coal (or another fuel) in a boiler to produce pressurized steam.
Train movement: This steam was then directed to the cylinders to push the pistons, which in turn drove the train's wheels.
Frequent stops: Due to the importance of water, locomotives often had to stop at designated stations or watering points to refill their water tanks. Routhierville, as a railway station, served this purpose, although other reasons may also have existed, such as the presence of nearby water resources.
The construction of the bridge, which was initiated by was Alphonse Routhier, was a great step forward for the development of the community of Routhierville. It was (and still is) one of the few river crossings in the valley.
ADLRM©
The town-type bridge measures over 78 meters long and was built in 1931 at the cost of 13 000$. In 1953, it survived the spring thaw when the river ice rose to the same height as the bridge panelling.
In 1994, another spring freshet threatens the bridge and again repairs are made yet again, in 2008, the bridge is under nervous surveillance when the water level threatens the structure.
In 2010, after some locals insisted that the bridge was protected by heritage Canada, the Transport ministry begins renovations on the bridge which is now classified as a historical monument.
These intensive renovations were carried until the end of December 2011.
ADLRM©
Alphonse Routhier builded this hôtel at the beginning of 1940.
Cheef of the train station as of 1909, he organised the religious life, builded the first school and was the spokesman when the inhabitants submitted demands to the authorities.
In the heydays, and over on the north side of the river, there stood a unique hotel, complete with a dining room and a dance hall which was a very popular spot for locals and outsiders.
However, the hotel site did not make it through an 1980's fire, only the caabins are still there
Matapedia valley
The only intra-coastal region of the Gaspésie is the Matapedia Valley. You will find a considerable number of rivers and lakes, a unique paradise for fishermen and hunters.
The only intra-coastal region of the Gaspésie is the Matapedia Valley. You will find a considerable number of rivers and lakes, a unique paradise for fishermen and hunters.
Renowned for its salmon fishing, it stands wild and steep in its southern part and stretches toward the north leaving space for the agriculture industry.
This is where the Matapedia River has its source, namely, the Matapedia Lake.
Traveling south, you will discover the charming agricultural village of Sainte-Therese-de-Merici, the majestic church of Saint-Moïse, beautiful Val-Brillant and its gothic style church located on the west shore of Matapedia Lake, the city of Amqui and the bridge of Anse-Saint-Jean.
Enjoy winter fun in Sainte-Irene, view the incredible Philomene Falls in Saint-Alexandre-des-Lacs, inspect Causapscal with its park at the meeting point of Causapscal and Matapedia Rivers and admire the renowned covered bridge of Routhierville.
On the southern tip of the Valley, we enter a region of plateau..
On the southern tip of the Valley, we enter a region of plateau..
A unique place with breath-taking scenery overlooking the Ristigouche River (Soleil d'Or panoramic viewpoint in L'Ascension-de-Patapedia and Horizon de Reve in Saint-Alexis-de-Matapedia), numerous hiking trails, Picot Falls (Saint-Andre-de-Restigouche) and Matapédai, a lovely village with a history linked to salmon fishing.
Don’t forget those inviting little villages that have a story, and a past to discover.
Explore the valley and its secrets, witness spectacular sunrises and sun sets and view the rugged grandeur of the valley setting. Dont forget the auroras.
For more information on the Matapedia valley and recretional and cultural activities go to: http://www.lamatapedia.ca./fr/visitez-la-matapedia.html.
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