THE FORMER POST OFFICE

The post office, like the church and Place du Marché, played an essential role in the life of the 19^th century communities. After having shared a building with the customs office, on Richelieu Street, the post office moved, in 1909, to a new construction at the corner of Jacques-Cartier and Saint-Jacques streets. Designed by architect J.E.H. Benoit, from Saint-Jean, the neoroman-style inspired building, characterized by semi-circular arches, is surmounted by a square tower housing a monumental clock. According to tradition, the postmaster lived on the upper floor. In 1963, the building was converted into a municipal library, and the post office was moved to Champlain Street.

Unfortunately, on January 3, 1968, a fire destroyed the upper floor; it was never rebuilt. The library was consequently set up in more modem premises, on Laurier Street. lncidentally, the facade of the first Saint-Jean-l'Évangéliste church, built in 1828, still stands, across from the former post office, partly occupied by the Société d'histoire du Haut-Richelieu.

A little farther, at 72 Saint-Jacques Street, stands the telephone central built by Bell Canada. In 1939, the citizens of Saint-Jean gained access to the automatic phone service, using dial phones, without operator assistance.

At 194-196 Jacques-Cartier  Street North, stands a red brick building, erected in 1877, which considerably influenced this area of the city. Its facade is decorated with three centered blind arches. The cornice with modillions bears, at the center, an arched pediment with an oculus set in it. The brick reliefs form an original pattern. This building housed the office of Félix-Gabriel Marchand, politician and well-known notary. Shortly after, in 1897, notary Deland established his practice in it; since then, he and his children, from father to son (and daughter) for four generations, have occupied it.