[1] Beginning in the 17th century, voyageurs would launch their canoes from this location to transport trade goods thousands of miles into the interior of North America lands.

At that time the Lachine Rapids prevented large ships from going any further west along the Saint Lawrence River.

It is now a Parks Canada museum dedicated to the history of this strategic location as a departure and arrival point for fur trading expeditions.

A natural transfer point was the west end of Montreal Island since goods could be carted over a nine-mile road around the Lachine Rapids.

Sir George Simpson (administrator) had a mansion across the canal from the warehouse which was torn down in 1880.