Sainte-Marie-Salomé is a municipality in the Lanaudière region of Quebec, Canada, part of the Montcalm Regional County Municipality.

History

In 1765, the first wave of colonization occurred as a result of the Great Upheaval when Acadians from Boston arrived and settled on the south bank of the Vacher Creek in the Seignory of Saint-Sulpice. The settlement was called Bas-du-Ruisseau-Vacher (meaning "Lower Vacher Creek"), named after a certain Vacher who accompanied surveyor John Péladeau in 1767 on the seignory's territory. In 1790, the settlement grew when families from Château-Richer arrived. Actual clearing of the area began around 1820. In March 1883, Sainte-Marie-Salomé became home to the second creamery of Quebec. In 1888, the parish municipality of Sainte-Marie-Salomé was established by separating from Saint-Jacques-de-l'Achigan, and named after Mary Salome. Its letters patent used the misspelled "Salomée", which was not corrected until 1986. In 1889, the local post office opened. During the 1890s, the location was also known as Sainte-Marie-Salomé-de-Port-Royal, indicating the origin of its Acadian settlers.

Demographics

Population trend: Private dwellings occupied by usual residents: 516 (total dwellings: 542) Mother tongue:

Economy

Being in the fertile land of the St. Lawrence Lowlands, agriculture is the most important economic function of the municipality.

Government

Governing body

Education

Commission scolaire des Samares operates francophone public schools, including: The Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board operates anglophone public schools, including: