422-424, rue François-Xavier

At the time of Montreal’s early development, communication was limited to handwritten messages. By the 1830s, Morse code and telegraphy—using electromagnetic signals—emerged as revolutionary technologies. Although Toronto was slightly ahead in adopting the telegraph, Montreal quickly responded by recruiting Orrin S. Wood, a student of Samuel Morse, to lead its implementation.

In 1847, the Montreal Telegraph Company was founded with Wood as its first president. Businessman Hugh Allan, of the Allan Shipping Line, later took over in 1851, bringing essential financial backing and connections. Under their leadership, telegraph lines rapidly expanded to Quebec City, Toronto, and New York—all within a year. By acquiring Toronto’s telegraph company in 1852, Montreal became a leader in long-distance communication.

As interest in the telegraph grew, so did competition. The Montreal Telegraph Company absorbed many smaller players and eventually became part of the Canadian Pacific Railway’s telegraph network (C.P.R. Telegraph). Although the current building at 422–424 rue François-Xavier was built in 1901—after the company’s founding—it still bears the name Telegraph Chambers, signaling its historical significance in Montreal’s communication legacy. Today, the building has been converted into residential units, but its façade remains a testament to the city’s pioneering role in telecommunications.

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