From top, left to right: Downtown Sherbrooke, Wellington Street, Sherbrooke City Hall, Plymouth-Trinity United Church, clock tower at the Sherbrooke History Museum
Sherbrooke is the primary economic, political, cultural, and institutional centre of Estrie, and was given its nickname as theQueen of theEastern Townships at the beginning of the 20th century.
There are eight institutions educating 40,000 students and employing 11,000 people, 3,700 of whom are professors, teachers and researchers. The direct economic effect of these institutions exceeds one billiondollars. The proportion of university students is 10.32 students per 100 inhabitants, giving Sherbrooke the largest concentration of students in Quebec.[8]
Sherbrooke rose as a manufacturing centre in the 1800s, and today theservice sector is prominent.
The Sherbrooke region is surrounded by mountains, rivers, and lakes. There are several ski hills nearby and various tourist attractions in regional flavour.Mont-Bellevue Park, a large park in the city, is used fordownhill skiing.
First Nations settled the region between 8,000 and 3,000 years ago.[10] TheAbenaki called itKtinékétolékouac/Kchi Nikitawtegwak ('the large forks'),[11] orShacewanteku (where one smokes).[2]
Sherbrooke in 1828
The first non-native settler was the farmer Jean-Baptiste Nolain, in 1779.[2] The area was first surveyed in 1792.[12] Americans from Vermont built mills in the area in 1802.Gilbert Hyatt led a group ofloyalists, who settled around 1803. He dammed theMagog River and agristmill and asawmill were soon built nearby. The settlement was then known as Hyatt's Mills.[13]
The first immigrants from England arrived in 1815.[14] TheBritish American Land Company was formed in 1832[15] to acquire and develop almost 1,100,000 acres (1,719 sq mi; 4,452 km2) ofCrown land and other lands in the area. It prioritized speculation over immigration.[16]
Sherbrooke in 1889Pictorial map of Sherbrooke from 1881, including a list of landmarks
Immigration from the rest of Quebec began in 1850, and by 1871 francophones were in the majority.[14]
By the turn of the 20th century, Sherbrooke was a thriving industrial city, with manufacturing benefiting from locally-producedhydroelectricity. From the 1950s, some the steel and textile industries declined, giving way to government services and education.
Dufferin Street, Sherbrooke, between 1903–1913
As part of the2000–2006 municipal reorganization in Quebec, the city grew considerably on 1 January 2002, when it absorbed Ascot, Bromptonville, Deauville, Fleurimont,Lennoxville, Rock Forest, and Saint-Élie-d'Orford. Part ofStoke was also annexed to the newly expanded Sherbrooke.
In 2012, a local biochemical factory suffered an explosion, which killed 2, and injured 19, some severely. A large toxic cloud enveloped part of the city, raising health concerns.[17][18]
Sherbrooke has ahumid continental climate (KöppenDfb), with long, cold, and snowy winters, warm summers, and short but crisp springs and autumns. Highs range from −5.8 °C (21.6 °F) in January to 24.6 °C (76.3 °F) in July. In an average year, there are 34 nights at or colder than −20 °C (−4 °F), and 6.5 nights at or colder than −30 °C (−22 °F); 4.1 days will see highs reaching 30 °C (86 °F).[19] Annual snowfall is large, averaging at 287 centimetres (113 in), sometimes falling in May and October. Precipitation is not sparse any time of the year, but is the greatest in summer and fall and at its least from January to April, totalling 1,100 millimetres (43.3 in) annually.
The highest temperature ever recorded in Sherbrooke was 36.7 °C (98 °F) on 1 & 2 July 1931.[20] The coldest temperature ever recorded was −41.2 °C (−42.2 °F) on 15 January 2004.[21]
Climate data forSherbrooke Airport, 1981−2010 normals, extremes 1900−present
(*) Sherbrooke annexed the City of Bromptonville, the City of Fleurimont, the City of Lennoxville, the City of Rock-Forest, the Municipality of Ascot and the Municipality of Deauville.
In the2021 Census of Population conducted byStatistics Canada, Sherbrooke had a population of172,950 living in80,476 of its86,019 total private dwellings, a change of7.2% from its 2016 population of161,323. With a land area of 353.4 km2 (136.4 sq mi), it had a population density of489.4/km2 (1,267.5/sq mi) in 2021.[28]
As of 2021, 86.4% of Sherbrooke residents spokeFrench as a first language, while those whose mother tongue wasEnglish accounted for 3.9%. The next most common first languages wereSpanish (2%),Arabic (1.3%),Dari (0.7%),Serbian (0.3%),Portuguese (0.2%) andMandarin (0.2%).
As of 2021, approximately 88.7% of Sherbrooke residents were white, while 9.6% werevisible minorities and 1.7% wereIndigenous. The largest visible minority groups in Sherbrooke were black (3.1%), Latin American (2%),Arab (1.7%), andWest Asian (1%).
Panethnic groups in the City of Sherbrooke (2001−2021)
Approximately 90.5% of the greater Sherbrooke area residents were white, while 7.7% were visible minorities and 1.8% wereAboriginal.[4]
French wasmother tongue to 87.3% of residents. The next most common mother tongues were English (4.5%), Spanish (1.6%), Arabic (1.0%) Dari (0.5%), Mandarin (0.2%), Portuguese (0.2%) and Serbian (0.2%).[4]
Sherbrooke, which is the economic centre ofEstrie, is a significant cultural, industrial, and academic hub in the province. The city is directly served by two railways: theSt. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad and theCanadian Pacific Railway. Sherbrooke is also served by four highways as well as the regional airport namedSherbrooke Airport but located in the nearby city ofCookshire-Eaton. Sherbrooke Airport no longer offers scheduled passenger services as of March 2010.
In the summer season, several festivals, concerts, and events are held in the city, such as theFête du Lac des Nations,Sherblues & Folk, and theFestival des traditions du monde. Come winter, the city hosts theCarnaval de Sherbrooke.
Sherbrooke has the fourth largest theatre in Quebec, the Maurice O'Bready University Cultural Centre of Sherbrooke (Salle Maurice-O’bready du centre culturel de l’Université de Sherbrooke). Music, theatre, and dance shows are staged there. The Centennial Theatre ofBishop's University also hosts music and dance concerts from around the world. The Vieux Clocher, owned by theUniversité de Sherbrooke, has two stages, the primary being used by various music groups and comedians from around the province. TheThéâtre Granada, designated as a historical site by the Canadian government, holds music concerts. It has retained its original architecture since its opening. ThePetit Théâtre de Sherbrooke, located downtown, presents musicals and plays for children.[41]
Since 2007, theCentre des arts de la scène Jean-Besré (CASJB), built by the city with the support of theMinistry of Culture and Communications, has assisted in the creation and production of material for the region's artistic community.[42] It serves as the location for training theatre, music, and dance professionals. It contains three rehearsal studios, a production room, a decoration workshop, and a costume workshop, as well as administrative offices for each of its resident companies.
La bibliothèque municipale Éva-Senécal, the main city library (opened 22 December 1990), is named forÉva Senécal (1905-1988), poet, novelist and journalist.
La bibliothèque du secteur de Rock Forest
La bibliothèque du secteur de Saint-Élie
La bibliothèque Gisèle-Bergeron
La bibliothèque deLennoxville, at the intersection of rue Queen and rue College, near Bishop's University, offers a book lending service in French and English.
Forêt jardinée de l'aéroport de Sherbrooke Sherbrooke has parks andgreenspaces that encompass a variety of recreational activities. In total, there are 108 in the municipality.[43] Parks Jacques-Cartier,Mont Bellevue, Bois Beckett, Lucien-Blanchard, Central, Quintal, Victoria, and Marais Réal-D.-Carbonneau are among the most popular destinations.
Jacques-Cartier ParkJacques-Cartier Park
Situated alonglac des Nations, this park is about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) away from the downtown area and is connected to the lac des Nations promenade. It contains several sports facilities including soccer fields and tennis courts. Several festivals are held here including theFête du Lac des Nations, the Carnaval de Sherbooke, the festivities for theFête Nationale andCanada Day.
Mont Bellevue ParkMounts Bellevue (left) and John-S.-Bourque (right), as seen across the Magog River
This park is the largest in Sherbrooke, with an area of 200 hectares (490 acres). Situated partially on the campus of theUniversité de Sherbrooke, it is managed by the city and developed by volunteer organizationRegroupement du Mont-Bellevue. Within the park are mounts Bellevue and John-S.-Bourque, the former of which has a small ski station. The park is also used for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, walking, andtubing in winter; as well as hiking, mountain biking, archery, tennis, and jogging in summer. The park contains a total of 30 kilometres (19 mi) of trails and several different types of ecosystems.[44]
Bois Beckett Park
This park was established on an old maple grove that belonged to Major Henry Beckett between 1834 and 1870. The property remained in his family until it was acquired by the city in 1963.[45] In 2000, theMinistère de Ressources naturelles et de la Faune recognized the property as anold-growth forest.[46] The oldest tree is said to be 270 years old.[47] The park is maintained, protected and promoted by a volunteer group. Several trails have been built by the city which are open year-round. Within the park, there are several artifacts left behind by Beckett, such as foundations, wells, and farm equipment.
Lucien-Blanchard ParkArmand-Nadeau Pavilion in Jacques-Cartier Park
Situated 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) west of downtown on the bank of theMagog River, this park is open to several outdoor activities such as swimming and beach volleyball. Bicycles, canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, anddragon boats are available for rent. There is aninterpretation centre with an emphasis on the reptiles and amphibians of the region as well as a boutique.
Central Park
At the heart of theRock Forest–Saint-Élie–Deauville borough, this park is equipped for soccer, tennis, baseball, beach volleyball, and has a playground and an outdoor pool.
Quintal Park
Formerly calledParc Central de Fleurimont, this park is situated in the borough ofFleurimont, and mirrors Central Park of Rock Forest-Saint-Élie-Deauville. In early July, the Pif Classic baseball tournament is held in the park, and in August, it hosts theFestival des Traditions du Monde.
Victoria and Sylvie-Daigle Parks
Across Terrill Street from one another, these parks are situated just east of downtown. Inside these parks lie pedestrian trails, Olympic-size soccer fields, a handicap accessible outdoor pool, and a sports complex.[48] This multifunctional facility, called theCentre MultiSport Roland-Dussault, has an artificial turf allowing local teams the opportunity to practise indoor soccer, baseball, football, rugby, and so on. There is a hockey arena.
Located near theSaint-François River, this marsh was developed by CHARMES, a non-profit management corporation that seeks to promoteecotourism in and around Sherbrooke.[49] The park is located on 40 hectares (99 acres) of land and allows visitors access to wooden piers and observation towers, where there are over 50 tree and shrub species and birds.[50]
Under the2000–2006 municipal reorganization in Quebec, Sherbrooke merged with most of the suburban municipalities in the surrounding area: Rock Forest, Saint-Élie-d'Orford, Deauville, Fleurimont, Bromptonville, Ascot, and Lennoxville. This resulted in the creation of sixBoroughs of Sherbrooke:Brompton,Fleurimont,Lennoxville,Mont-Bellevue,Rock Forest–Saint-Élie–Deauville, andJacques-Cartier. Each of the boroughs is subdivided intoelectoral districts, with the number varying based on population. For example, there are only two districts in Brompton, which only has 6,314 inhabitants, whereas Fleurimont (pop. 40,824) has five. Sherbrooke has 21 districts total, for which the average population is 7,200 inhabitants.
Sherbrooke does not host any units from theRegular Force with the exception of a recruiting centre, but fourPrimary Reserve units are stationed in the city:
TheSherbrooke Hussars, formed from the amalgamation of The Sherbrooke Regiment and the 7th/11th Hussars in 1965.
A Canadian military artifact is preserved at the William Street Armoury:the Sherman tank "Bomb". The tank helped liberate Europe fighting with theSherbrooke Fusilier Regiment and is the only Canadian tank to have landed on the Normandy beach onD-Day; it fought through toVE Day without being knocked out.[citation needed]
Société de transport de Sherbrooke (STS) provides bus service within the city. It operates 18 bus routes, 10 minibus routes, 7 express routes, 3 taxibus routes, and 3 microbus routes.
The city is located at the eastern terminus ofA-10, and directly on the Autoroute Trans-Québécoise (A-55). A-10 provides a direct freeway connection to Montreal and points west, while A-55 connects directly to Trois-Rivières,Shawinigan, and points north, as well as toInterstate 91 to the south (Vermont).A-410 andA-610 are the southern and northern bypass roads, respectively.
The last passenger train for the city wasVIA Rail's Montreal – Saint John, New BrunswickAtlantic, which ended service in 1994. There have been recent proposals to provide rail service from Montreal to Boston with a stop in Sherbrooke.[60]
The suburban Sherbrooke University Hospital ("CHUS"[61] or "Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbooke) has over 5,200 employees, including 550 doctors. It includes a clinical research facility, the Étienne-Lebel Research Centre.
Education represents an important part of Sherbrooke, both as part of the city's character and as a principal domain of employment, employing about 11,000 people in itscolleges anduniversities. The city has approximately 40,000postsecondary students, of which about 17,000 are university students.[62]
Sherbrooke has five academic institutions that make up the Sherbrooke University Pole, providing both English and French education. Students in university comprise a total 10.32% of the city's population, the highest concentration in the province.[62]
The city is the location of one French-language university, theUniversité de Sherbrooke, which alone has more than 31,000 students annually. The programs are split among 8 differentfaculties, the largest of which being ineducation,medicine, andmanagement with around 7,900, 5,000 and 4,800 students per year respectively.[63] 3,000 of the university's students areinternational students, coming from around 100 different countries and territories. About half of the foreign students come fromFrance, as they are exempt from additionaltuition fees as part of a student mobility agreement between the Québec and French governments.[64] The university is split into three different campuses: the main campus, the Health campus located in upper Fleurimont, and the campus inLongueuil.[63]
One of the province's three English-language universities,Bishop's University, is also located in Sherbrooke; more specifically, it is in the borough ofLennoxville. The school brings in around 3,000 students annually, mainly forundergraduate programs. It is subdivided into three faculties and schools, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the School of Education, and theWilliams School of Business.[65]
