Boardwalk Days

I confess to belonging to a number of Facebook groups that specialize in Montreal - and sometimes specifically Verdun - nostalgia. I am a newcomer to Verdun (14 years and counting) so in my case I guess it’s not really nostalgia, but the black-and-white photos on these sites allow me to see a Verdun I have heard about but never seen. I hope you will enjoy this small blast from the past.

Those with long memories will recognize the Band Shell that stood on the Boardwalk in the 40s and 50s, where you could go hear concerts on warm summer nights. In the second shot, you catch a glimpse behind it of the Dance Pavilion (the “Pav”).

This would be Lasalle Boulevard near the bottom of Woodland Avenue. It’s before the waterfront was built up in the 60s: the river is much closer to the road than it is today!

I spent some time during the recent heat wave cooling off at the Natatorium. What a treat to stumble across these pictures from its early days!

This is the “before” shot: breaking ground for the Natatorium in 1938.

A swimming competition in the early 40s. “The Nat” hasn’t changed much over the years except the diving boards are no longer there.