Westmount, Quebec, an affluent municipality on the Island of Montreal, is a unique enclave of the city of Montreal. With a population of 19,658 as of the 2021 Canadian census, Westmount is a vibrant community that offers a rich blend of history, culture, and modern amenities.
Westmount's history dates back 4000 to 5000 years ago, with evidence of a First Nations presence. The area was known by several names, including La Petite Montagne, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, and Côte-Saint-Antoine, when the first French colonists settled in the mid-seventeenth century. The Hurtubise House, a former farmhouse from this era, is the oldest house still standing in Westmount.
The Village of Côte St-Antoine, incorporated in 1874, later became the Town of Côte St-Antoine. In 1895, it was renamed Westmount, reflecting its geographical location on the southwest slope of Mount Royal and the presence of a large English-speaking population.
Throughout the twentieth century, Westmount evolved into a wealthy Montreal suburb, home to some of Montreal's wealthiest families, including the Bronfmans and the Molsons. The city's affluence made it a symbolic target of Front de libération du Québec terrorist bombings in the 1960s, culminating in the 1970 October Crisis.
In 2001, Westmount Mayor Peter Trent and city council attempted to prevent Westmount from being amalgamated into the city of Montreal, asserting that the city was a designated anglophone institution. Despite opposition, Westmount was merged into the city of Montreal on January 1, 2002, as part of the 2002–2006 municipal reorganization of Montreal. However, after a change of government and a 2004 referendum, it was re-constituted as an independent city on January 1, 2006.
Westmount occupies an area of land on the south face of Westmount Summit, the western peak of Mount Royal. The city, most of which is on steep terrain, extends from the summit to the end of the narrow plateau at the foot of the mountain.
Westmount is primarily residential, with homes increasing in size and value toward the top of the mountain. Notable buildings include Place Alexis Nihon and the Westmount Square complex, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and funded largely by Westmount resident Samuel Bronfman, the founder of the Seagram liquor empire.
Westmount is home to several parks, including King George Park (also known as Murray Hill) and Westmount Park. A forest area is located at Westmount Summit, within Summit Circle.
Westmount has been officially recognized as a bilingual municipality since November 2, 2005. According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Westmount had a population of 19,658 living in 8,591 of its 9,423 total private dwellings.
Westmount is twinned with Rimouski, Quebec, Canada, since 1968.
Westmount has been the setting for a number of novels, including Gwethalyn Graham's World War II novel Earth and High Heaven, David Montrose' 1950s hard-boiled detective novel, The Crime on Cote des Neiges, and Daniel Richler's Kicking Tomorrow.
