PLESSISVILLE, WORLD'S MAPLE CAPITAL
On February 18, 1926, the Federated Cooperative of Quebec accepted the request of The maple sugar producers of Quebec to build a factory that could produce up to 12 millions pounds of maple syrup annually. The annual production of the territory amounting to eight thousand pounds of maple syrup and advantageous geographicaal position of the town of Plessisville, midway between the Beauce and the Eastern Townships, promoted the choice of the location.
Construction began in 1927 and ended in 1928. Since then, many buildings have experienced several expansions and modifications. In 1972, the head office, which occupied the Desjardins building in Lévis moved to Plessisville.
In 1976, Plessisville was named the World's Maple Capital. The large presence of maples on its territory, the holding of the Maple Festival, as well as the presence of the head office of The maple sugar producers of Quebec contributed significantly to anointing Plessisville with its title.
The export of maple products from the Cooperative allowed international exposure for the city of Plessisville. In fact, since 1959, labels on every container from the plant mention the place of production, Plessisville.
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FACILITIES IN PLESSISVILLE
THE STORAGE CAPACITY
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THE FESTIVAL DE L'ÉRABLE - THE MAPLE FESTIVAL
The province’s second oldest festival after the Carnaval de Québec, the Plessisville Maple Festival was created with the aim of encouraging and promoting the consumption and sale of maple products.
After a maple festival in Chardon, Ohio, had already brought results, Jean-Denis Béliveau, of the Chamber
of Commerce, and Cyrille Vaillancourt, founder of the Maple sugar producers of Quebec, created a similar event in Quebec.
For the first time in 1959, Plessisville welcomed 8,000 visitors to the grounds of the St-Édouard school for the first Maple Festival. Cyrille Vaillancourt was then part of the Executive Committee as Honorary President. It was also he who presided over the official opening of the festivities in honour of the Cooperative Maple sugar producers of Quebec.
Exhibit of Citadelle products at the Maple Festival
around 1960
©Citadelle Archives, Maple Syrup Producers' Cooperative
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SHIPPING AND RECEIVING
Plessisville’s geographical location, at the crossroads of major centres, gives it an advantage for receiving
and shipping maple syrup. The plant’s location in the city has been designated according to the proximity of the Grand Trunk Railway, which facilitates the delivery and shipment of barrels. In 1930, a branch track was constructed so that the cars could get close to the plant.
Around 1950 Photographer unknown ©Citadelle Archives, Maple Syrup Producers’ Cooperative
Around 1960 Photographer unknown ©Citadelle Archives, Maple Syrup Producers’ Cooperative
Around 1970 Photographer unknown ©Citadelle Archives, Maple Syrup Producers’ Cooperative
at the warhouse Around 1930 Lepage Studio, Montréal ©Citadelle Archives, Maple Syrup Producers’ Cooperative
Photographer unknown ©Citadelle Archives, Maple Syrup Producers’ Cooperative
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DID YOU KNOW THAT
An agronomist already had to sleep on maple syrup barrels stored outside of Plessisville City Hall so they wouldn't be stolen?
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Before the construction of the warehouse in Plessisville, the basement of the City Hall was the place were maple syrup barrels was received, just before being transfered to Federated Coop in Quebec. In 1926, nearby house was rented to increase storage capacity, but it was not enough: "There were barrels everywhere: on the gallery, on the sidewalks. The agronomist Gélinas even slept on five gallon barrels one evening to watch them. People from there came to serve themselves as the syrup was really good " said Senator Vaillancourt.