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Maison Gravel, around 1950

Black and white picture of the Maison Gravel. The Chateauguay River is in the foreground and several trees line the banks.

Source: Collection Maison LePailleur

Maison Gravel was built in 1842, following the purchase of a parcel of the LePailleur family estate by their daughter Catherine. She went to notary Alexis Delaunay with her mother Josephte, widow of François-Georges, to carry out the transaction. Catherine was the one to sign the construction contracts with masons and carpenters since she was single at the time.

Throughout its existence, Maison Gravel had a dozen owners, the most notable being:

  • Doctor Julien Dupuis who did extensive work, making it look Victorian;
  • Abbot Edmond Reeves-Gravel who owned it for the longest period and gave it its name;
  • Aloysius Boyle who decided to undertake extensive work without getting a permit from the city yet gave up, leaving the residence in a vulnerable state; and
  • Ville de Châteauguay, last owner of the site, who transformed the ruins of the residence into a rest area and interpretation centre.