Richmond, population 3,424 (2001), is a town nestled amidst rolling farmlands on the Saint-François River between Sherbrooke, Quebec and Drummondville, in the heart of the Eastern Townships in Quebec, Canada.

Richmond today

Richmond as it exists today was created on December 29, 1999 following the merger of the "old" town of Richmond on the right bank of the Saint-François and the village of Melbourne, located on the other side.

History of Richmond

Originally settled by colonists from New England, Montreal and the Richelieu valley around 1798, Richmond is considered to be one of the oldest settlements in the Eastern Townships. Richmond grew in importance in the middle of the 1800s, when it became an important railway centre, as a stop on the Grand Trunk railway line, with links between Quebec City, Sherbooke and Montreal to Portland, Maine. The town itself was first called Richmond in 1820, when a post office was inaugurated. By the 1860s Richmond was an important centre, with a college, literary institute and a public library.

Richmond's importance has waned since the 1930s, however, as the railways have also come to play a lesser role in the economy. Richmond has become a site for the shoemaking and clothing industries.

Origin of the name Richmond

The name Richmond is in memory of Charles Lennox, 4th Duke of Richmond and Lennox (1764–1819), Governor General of Upper Canada from 1818 to 1819.

History of Melbourne

The village of Melbourne was founded on the left bank of the Saint-François River in 1845, abolished two years later, and then re-established in 1860.

Origin of the name Melbourne

The origin of the name Melbourne is uncertain, but the village is believed to have been named for Melbourne, Derbyshire or Melbourne , Hampshire.

Particularities

The reverse side of the the 1954-series Canadian $2 dollar bill featured a view of the village of Melbourne.

External link

• Town of Richmond web site