Montague

Montague is a community of 2000 people (2016) in the town of Three Rivers in Kings County, Prince Edward Island. Montague is the largest population centre in the county and straddles the Montague River. It functions as a regional service centre for the eastern end of the province.

Understand

Montague marina and skyline

Montague was amalgamated with the town of Georgetown, the rural municipalities of Brudenell, Cardigan, Lorne Valley, Lower Montague, and Valleyfield, and portions of three adjacent unincorporated areas in 2018.

Like much of the province, the area's three main industries are fishing, farming and tourism. Montague is home to many independent businesses, along with several chains primarily in the North End.

Montague has a public wharf in Lower Montague on the south shore of the Montague River at Wightmans Point Road.

History

Jean-Pierre Roma, an Acadian French merchant, settled in 1732 on a site a few miles east of present-day Montague that he called Trois Rivieres, now the Three Rivers. It is now a designated historic site, which explains how he established there an international trading post. The French Army on Ile St. Jean were defeated by the British in 1745, and the Acadian population was deported and lost all their possessions.

At the time of Samuel Holland's survey in the 1760s, Georgetown was designated as the shire town of Kings County. The Montague River was the southernmost of three rivers draining the area. The river traces its name to either George Brudenell, 4th Earl of Cardigan (later George Montagu, 1st Duke of Montagu), John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, or Montague Wilmot, Governor of Nova Scotia (which then included present-day Prince Edward Island) at the time of Holland's survey.

Get in and around

The community is 44 km east of Charlottetown and 15 km southwest of Georgetown. There is no public transit to or in the town. It is small enough to walk around.

See

Montague Waterfront

• Montague's main attraction is the community itself, aptly named "Montague the Beautiful" for its tree-lined streets, tranquil river and stately buildings. Other draws include the Canada Tree, the Montague Curling Club, Cavendish Farms Wellness Centre, Montague Regional High School, the Down East Mall, Station Street Adventure Company, and Gillis' Drive-In Restaurant (in Brudenell). The former train station has been renovated into a café, gift shop and information centre, looking out over the river.
• Roma at Three Rivers, 505 Roma Point Road, ☏ +1 902 838-3413. The Roma Site is a quiet, picturesque spot with signage explaining the historical significance of the Jean Pierre Roma era (1732-1745) and the Macdonald era of the 1800s. The cafe serves a Heritage Lunch every day and Afternoon Tea. Its interpretive centre is open from the last week of June to the last week of September each year. (updated Jul 2020)

Garden of the Gulf Museum.

• The Garden of the Gulf Museum, 564 Main Street, ☏ +1 902 838-2467. July & August: Tu-Sa 9AM - 5PM, September: M-F 9AM - 5PM. A community-run museum in a house built in 1888 that is on the Canadian Register of Historic Places. It displays a variety of artifacts and displays including an old general store and school house display; Mi’kmaq artifacts; and historic pictures of the town of Montague. (updated Jul 2020)

Do

Montague celebrates its birthday the first week of July every year with an annual tradition called Montague Days, with activities including midway, buskers, soap box derby, Miss Montague contest, a pet parade, a parade, and a fireworks display on the Montague Waterfront to wrap up the weekend long festival. The Montague Waterfront also plays host to musical acts and various other activities all weekend long.

Montague is a starting point of the Confederation Trail, a rail-to-trail linking many communities across PEI.

Eat

• Windows On The Water Restaurant, 106 Sackville St, ☏ +1 902-838-2080. Mid-May to September: daily ​11:30-close. In a 1850 building that was one of the earliest general stores in the town. Recommended in "Where To Eat In Canada" for over 15 years. Excellent seafood (chowder, whole Prince Edward Island lobster, lobster roll, blue mussels, shrimp), steak, burgers, pasta and salads. Lunch mains $15-18, dinner mains $21-33. (updated Jul 2020)
• Lady's Slipper Cafe, 500 Main St, ☏ +1 902 838-7088. W-F 7AM-2PM, Sa Su 7AM-3PM. Breakfast, salads, poutine, sandwiches, wraps. (updated Jul 2020)
• Famous Peppers, 3 Rink Street. M-Th 11:30AM-8PM, F 11:30AM-9PM, Sa Su 2-8PM. Pizzas, salads, and donairs using ingredients grown on the island. (updated Jul 2020)

Drink

• Bogside Brewing, 11 Brook St, ☏ +1 902 838-4384. Su Tu-Th noon-7PM, F Sa noon-9PM. Local craft brewery with a taproom serving a dozen light meals. (updated Jul 2020)

Sleep

• Lanes Riverhouse Inn & Cottages, 33 Brook St, toll-free: +1-800-268-7532. Suites, 2 and 3 bedroom units. Close to the centre of the village. Large deck overlooking the river. Barbecue and laundry available. Pets allowed in cottages (extra charge). From $105. (updated Jul 2020)
• Awakenings Inn Bed and Breakfast, Photos, ☏ +1 902 361-2333. A century-old home in Montague. Walking distance to restaurants, and waterfront marina. From $105. (updated Jul 2020)