Grosse Île

Grosse Île became a quarantine station in 1832 and stayed open until 1932. It started as a means of dealing with the cholera coming from Europe but later saw typhus on the ships of Irish immigrants, smallpox and the plague.

On average there were around 1000 people on the island at any given time. They would have to stay anywhere from 5 to 21 days depending on their health and that of the others on their ship.

In 1845-9 during the Irish famine there were as many as 25,000 some stuck waiting on the ships that formed a line 2 miles long.

7,000 people died on Grosse Île over the course of the 100 years it was open. 5,000 were in those two years. An average of 50 deaths per day.

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The tiny accommodations in the 1st class hotel.

Second class hotel

Multi family housing

Catholic Church 


Anglican Church 

The island was only open from May until October as the river would freeze and boats could not get through. Therefore workers did not stay year round. In 1902 they brought electricity to the island and some workers started to stay year round to prepare for the coming season.

There were churches and a school on the island for the families that worked there.