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Saint-Jérôme, Quebec, incorporated as a city in 1981, reincorporated in 2002, population 80,213 (2021 census), 74,346 (2016 census). Saint-Jérôme is located on Rivière du Nord, 40 km northwest of Montreal. First incorporated in 1881, Saint-Jérôme was reincorporated in 2002 after the former city merged with Bellefeuille, Lafontaine and Saint-Antoine.
Municipal History
From the 1834 creation of the first parish to its 1881 elevation to the status of town, Saint-Jérôme thrived primarily on forestry and agriculture. From 1882 on, the Rolland Company (since 1992 now part of Cascades Inc) has run one of the oldest fine paper mills in Canada here (see Pulp and Paper Industry).
A regional metropolis situated where Rivière du Nord leaves the Laurentians, Saint-Jérôme dominates the entire Lower Laurentians. The bishopric, courthouse and CEGEP give the town an administrative function as well as industrial and commercial ones.
Legacy of Curé Labelle
From 1868 to 1891, the legendary François-Xavier-Antoine Labelle was Saint-Jérôme’s parish priest. A determined apostle of colonization, his efforts led to the creation of several dozen Laurentian parishes and the development of the vast territory between Saint-Jérôme and Mont-Laurier.
Curé Labelle also promoted railway construction in the area. The former rail bed now forms Le P'tit Train du Nord, a 200-km linear, multi-use park linking Saint-Jérôme and Mont-Laurier. (See also Railway History in Canada.)
