83 Saint-Vincent Street
……….
The decision to grace Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts with such an imposing post office in 1916 shows just how important a town it had become. By then, the local post office had been a major hub serving the towns of the North for 40 years. It had originally been housed in private homes and retail businesses, and a large-scale, purpose-built facility had become a must.
In recalling the Greco-Roman architecture of thousands of years before, the massive Beaux-Arts stone cornice, with its parapet supported by four columns, was meant to evoke solidity, power and stability. The trend was common in banks and public buildings of the same era. The building, which is listed as a heritage building in the Municipality's records, underwent major expansion and interior remodeling in 2018.
Since 1981, the former post office has been home to the Bibliothèque municipale Gaston-Miron (Municipal Library), named in honour of the celebrated poet, who was born in Sainte-Agathe*, lived here as a child, and is buried here. During library opening hours, one can see an exhibition dedicated to him.
*Other notable people born in Sainte-Agathe-des Monts have included Jean-Jacques Bertrand (1916–1973), Quebec Premier from 1968 to 1970; and Jean Yves Collette, writer and publisher (1946).
PHOTO
The post office building at the beginning of the 20th century.
HISTORICAL PANELS NEARBY (in French)
(corner of Saint-Vincent/Saint-Donat/Tour-du-Lac)
“Miron le magnifique”
(upstairs, by the main door of the library)
“Un carrefour d’activités économiques”
(near the building, diagonally opposite corner of the library)