Destination: Great Lakes / Destination: Les Grands Lacs

During the American War of Independence, Frederick Haldimand, Governor of the Province of Quebec, had a supply post built at Coteau-du-Lac because of its strategic position between Montreal and the Great Lakes. As early as 1779, a blockhouse, palisades, and abatis protected the canal and post from a possible surprise attack by American rebels. Two two-storey storehouses built on the site in 1779-1780 stood beside the canal to ease the loading and unloading of vessels: the North storehouse held general merchandise such as pork, flour, biscuits, and nails, while the South storehouse was first intended for liquids such as rum but was soon used for provisions. Together the buildings measured about 160 square metres. According to a 1780 record of supplies shipped from Lachine and Coteau-du-Lac to Carleton Island on Lake Ontario, nearly 900 trips by flat-bottomed batteaux passed through Coteau-du-Lac carrying provisions for 6,000 people stationed at various posts on the Great Lakes.

Quebec · Canada