Recherches populaires
A brief history of Saint-Georges
From its source at Lake Megantic located near the Maine border due east of Montreal, the Chaudière River flows nearly 200 kilometers northeast, emptying into the Saint Lawrence River immediately to the south of Quebec City.
Halfway along the river’s course you will find the city of Saint-Georges, nestled in the heart of the Beauce region. Saint-Georges is a community that is rich in history that dates back for centuries, and at the same time, one that is also filled with potential for the years to come. The area surrounding Saint-Georges was originally explored in the 1600’s during the French colonial era, and began to be settled in the early part of the 18th century when the first permanent inhabitants arrived. In 1775, shortly after the beginning of the American Revolution, troops commanded by Benedict Arnold passed through the region on their way to what would become a failed attempt to capture Quebec City. As new settlers continued to migrate to the area the population grew, and the parish of Saint-Georges was officially established in 1835.
During the middle part of the 19th century, the local economic base gradually shifted from agriculture to industry. Initially, the abundant forests in the region gave rise to a thriving timber industry that was first established in the 1840’s, and that was the main driver of growth for decades thereafter. As the community continued to grow, new services were introduced that supported further expansion. Saint-Georges saw its first bank branch open in 1898, and a few years later, the railroad arrived in 1907. Concurrent with these developments, local business leaders like Édouard Lacroix, who started his first company in 1911, helped to give rise to the strong entrepreneurial culture that has long defined Saint-Georges’ character.
In keeping with the economic growth of the region, the population of Saint-Georges grew steadily, doubling from 3,300 residents in 1901 to nearly 6,000 in 1941, and doubling again to 12,000 inhabitants by 1960. As the community continued to mature, new educational and social services were added to service the needs of the population. Saint-Georges became home to a new hospital in 1950, and in 1968 the CÉGEP Beauce-Appalaches opened its doors, providing college-level education to residents of the city. Since 1991, university courses have been offered through partnerships with Laval University in Quebec City and the Université du Québec campus in Trois-Rivières. The year 1994 saw the opening of CIMIC, which provides training in a variety of skilled trades.
Today, with a population of 33,496 peoples, Saint-Georges is one of Canada’s most dynamic small cities. If you are looking for interesting and rewarding career opportunities accompanied by an exceptional quality of life, a world of opportunity awaits you in Saint-Georges!