Dorval’s history includes several important events over the years. Here are some important dates for the City of Dorval, from the arrival of the Sulpicians to the present day.
17th century to 19th century
1667
The Sulpicians founded the Fort Gentilly mission, which would later be renamed Fort de La Présentation.
1691
La Presentation passed into the hands of Jean Bouchard, Sieur d’Orval, who changed the name of the place to Fort Dorval and renamed the Courcelles Islands to Dorval, Bouchard, and Dixie Islands.
1855
The Grand Trunk Railway serves the West Island.
1873
Founding of the Royal Montreal Golf Club on November 4
1874
Construction of the Bel-Air mansion and stables by Alfred Brown
1884
Founding of the Forest & Stream Club
1888
Frank Stephen purchases the Bel-Air mansion to house the Forest & Stream club
Foundation of the Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club
1890
Canadian Pacific Railway serves the West Island
1892
Incorporation of the Village of Dorval on June 24
Population of Dorval: 571 people and 201 dogs
1895
Founding of the Parish of La Présentation de la Sainte-Vierge
Construction of the parish chapel
1896
The Royal Montreal Golf Club moves to Dorval
1897
Wooden sidewalk installation on Dorval Avenue
20th century (first half)
1900
Construction of the Church of La Présentation de la Sainte-Vierge
1901
Consecration of the Church of La Présentation de la Sainte-Vierge
1903
The Village of Dorval becomes the Town of Dorval on July 1.
1906
Relocation of the chapel to 186 de La Présentation
1912
Construction of the Notre-Dame du Sacré Cœur convent
Construction of Saint-Joseph School on Décarie Avenue (now La Présentation)
Purchase of a hose truck, built by Ben Lefebvre
Start of construction of the filtration plant and drying tower for fire hoses (Vardeur Electric)
1914
Construction of the sewer tower on Martin Avenue by Mr. Dion
Construction of the filtration plant on Martin Avenue by Norwood Energy
Superintendents over the years: Ernest Gouin, Paul Gouin, Antoine Gouin, Eugene Bénard Jr.
1918
Arrival of the Marist Brothers at Saint Joseph’s School
1924
Expansion of the filtration plant to accommodate the town hall and housing for the plant foreman
1925
Expansion of the Notre-Dame du Sacré Cœur convent
1926
The filtration plant on Martin Avenue is destroyed by fire at 1 a.m. (exact date unknown).
Reconstruction of the filtration plant and a second floor to house the station engineer and a room for the city council
1927
Purchase of the first GMC motorized fire truck
Construction of the garage and fire station on Martin Avenue by Romeo Massie
1928
First council meeting at City Hall on Martin Avenue on June 6
1929
Construction of Joubert School on Décarie Avenue (now La Présentation Avenue)
1931
Construction of a second filtration plant on Lilas Avenue by Norwood Inc.
1935
Founding of the Eucharistic Crusade
1940
The Ministry of Transportation purchases 1,500 acres of land for the airport.
1941
Dorval Airport opens on September 1
1943
Founding of the Marist Friendship Association of Dorval
1947
First regattas at the Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club
1948
Construction of Strathmore United Church
1950
Purchase of Thibault’s white fire truck
20th century (second half)
1952
A team from the Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club participates in the Summer Olympics in Finland
1953
Renovations to City Hall
Official opening of Saint-Louis-Marie School on September 14 and blessing by Cardinal P.É. Léger on November 24
1954
Opening of the Dorval Gardens shopping centre on April 7 and inauguration on May 14
The Catholic Woman’s Club organizes the first library in Dorval
1956
The town of Dorval becomes an incorporated city
1957
Start of water fluoridation in Dorval
Groundbreaking ceremony for Dorval United Church on May 26
1958
First mass at Dorval United Church on July 20
Founding of St. Veronica Parish
Founding of the Air Cadets Squadron 686
1960
Opening of Dorval Municipal Golf Course (closed in 2017)
Suspension of Aldéric Noël, Chief of Police & Fire Department, in August
1961
The Royal Montreal Golf Club’s Tudor clubhouse becomes the Queen of Angels Academy
1962
Construction of St. Veronica Church
1963
Departure of the Marist Brothers from Dorval
1964
Relocation of the Sacred Heart in front of the presbytery
Reinstallation of Chief Aldéric Noël by court order
1966
Renovations to City Hall
Construction of the police and fire station on Bouchard Boulevard
Demolition of Saint-Joseph School
1969
Fire at Morgan’s store in the Dorval Gardens shopping centre on April 21
The J. W. McConnell Foundation donates the land north of Chemin du Bord-du-Lac to the City of Dorval on the condition that it remain a green space (now known as Windsor Park).
1970
Inauguration of the Foyer Dorval
1972
Dorval police officers join the ranks of the Montreal Urban Community
Six million travelers at Dorval Airport
1973
Inauguration of Dorval Community Centre
1976
Dorval welcomes the Olympic flame for the Montreal Summer Olympics
1977
Founding of Dorval Community Aid
1978
Dorval’s first gathering (now called Dorval en fête)
1980
The Montreal Urban Community Transportation Commission (CTCUM) expands its services to Dorval.
1982
The community centre is renamed the Sarto Desnoyers Community Centre.
1983
25th anniversary of St. Veronica Parish
1984
Founding of the Dorval Historical Society
Merger of Dorval United Church and Strathmore United Church to become Dorval Strathmore United Church
1985
Beginning of the recycling program in Dorval
1987
Dorval Arena renovations
1989
Opening of the new CTCUM bus terminal
1990
Surrey Aquatic & Community Centre opens
1991
Construction of a second fire station at 150 Avro
Renovations to the Ballantyne baseball field
1992
Departure of the Filles de la Sagesse (Daughters of Wisdom)
Centenary of the village of Dorval
1995
100th anniversary of the founding of the Parish of La Présentation de la Sainte-Vierge
1996
Demolition of the water tank at the corner of Cardinal and Thorncrest
21st century (first half)
2002
Opening of the Dorval Museum of History and Heritage
Dorval firefighters join the ranks of the Montreal Fire Department (SIM)
2004
Dorval Airport is renamed Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport on January 1
2007
First landing of the Airbus A380 at Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport on November 12
2008
50th anniversary of St. Veronica Parish
2010
The Olympic flame returns to Dorval for the Vancouver Winter Olympics
2011
After 81 years, Quincaillerie Boyer Inc. closes its doors on December 31
2014
Exterior renovations to City Hall
30th anniversary of the Dorval Historical Society on April 11
Queen of Angels Academy becomes Académie Sainte-Anne private elementary school
2015
Renewal of the permanent exhibition at the Dorval Museum of History and Heritage
50th anniversary of Dorval-Jean XXIII School
25th anniversary of the Dorval-Jean XXIII School Band (Music Program)
Opening of the Dorval Aquatic and Sports Centre at 1295 Dawson
2016
75th anniversary of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport on September 1st
2017
Launch of the book “D’hier et d’aujourd’hui” (Yesterday and Today) by the Dorval Historical Society to mark the 125th anniversary of Dorval’s incorporation
Closure of the Dorval municipal golf course
2018
Visit by a delegation of representatives from the Legault dit Deslauriers association from the community of Irvillac in Brittany ($350 million project)
Launch of the Royal Quai real estate project in Dorval on November 28. The real estate developer who purchased the wooded area for $15.5 million will build 30 houses on 8,000 sq. ft. lots. The City of Dorval’s offer of $15.1 million was declined
2019
The North American Development Group acquired the Dorval Gardens shopping centre, the Dawson Avenue parking lot, and the buildings at 200 to 280 Dorval Avenue (west side) with the intention of building six 6- and 16-storey condo towers comprising 925 units.
The City of Dorval purchases the land where the Château Dorval restaurant (Bord-du-Lac) once stood, which closed in 2013. The building will be demolished to make way for a park.
The coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, appears among customers at the Wuhan fish market in China, becoming a global pandemic with more than 200,000 deaths, including more than 29,600 in Canada and 11,560 in Quebec
2020
On International Women’s Day, March 8, Quebec’s Ministry of Culture and Communications designated Agathe de Saint-Père a historical figure. This exceptional businesswoman is particularly known for becoming the owner of the La Présentation estate in Dorval in 1685.
A fire broke out at the Académie Sainte-Anne private elementary school (formerly Queen of Angels), located at 100 Bouchard Boulevard, on April 26. Before becoming a school, the historic building was home to the Royal Montreal Golf Club, which occupied a large part of the grounds from 1896 to 1959, before moving to Île Bizard
2021
The North American Development Group begins construction of rental housing in the parking lot of the Dorval Gardens shopping centre.
Election of a new municipal council. Marc Doret replaces Edgar Rouleau as mayor and three new councillors are elected.
The City of Dorval acquires the Quatre Vents convent, located at 12 Dahlia
2023
130th anniversary of Dorval’s incorporation.
A fire breaks out in an apartment building on Garden Crescent Avenue on September 23. Thirty-two families lose their belongings and homes
2025
Demolition of 301-305 Dorval Avenue to make way for rental housing. Caisse Desjardins moves its offices to the first floor.
Demolition of 760-766 de l’Église Avenue to make way for rental housing.
Construction of rental housing at 235 Dorval Avenue on the former site of the Sunoco gas station, followed by Ami de l’auto.
Demolition of 720 Montréal-Toronto (Boathouse and Rêves et rénovations).
Start of $10 billion in construction work at Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport over a 10-year period (new landing stage, parking lot, roads)
Election of a new city council in November
21st century (second half)
Our story is still to be written!
Help us preserve Dorval’s history!
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