Published January 13, 2025


Tashi Farmilo
LJI Reporter

The matchstick houses, narrow wooden homes built during Gatineau’s industrial boom, are
quietly disappearing under the pressures of urban development and neglect. These homes,
known for their simple yet functional design, once dotted the neighborhoods of Hull, offering
shelter to workers who fueled the region’s thriving lumber and match-making industries.
Built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these houses are deeply tied to Gatineau’s
history. Their steeply pitched roofs and modest facades reflect the working-class spirit of the era
when industries like the E. B. Eddy Company dominated the local economy. Yet, as the years
pass, fewer of these homes remain, their survival threatened by demolition, disrepair, and
redevelopment.

A study commissioned by the City of Gatineau, conducted by the heritage cooperative
Passerelles, warns that time is running out to preserve these structures. Researchers
documented the homes’ historical significance and detailed how their design, materials, and
placement are uniquely tied to the city’s industrial past. The report highlights how these homes
formed the backbone of neighbourhoods like Wrightville and St-Jean-Bosco, creating a
distinctive streetscape that is now being lost.

The loss of matchstick houses has accelerated in recent decades. Urban renewal projects in the
1970s, combined with fires and economic decline, destroyed many of these homes. Today,
remaining structures are often subject to modern renovations that erase their original character
or are demolished to make way for larger developments.

The report calls for immediate action, including new heritage protections and incentives for
property owners to restore and maintain these homes. Without such measures, experts fear
Gatineau could lose a vital connection to its history – a history that is increasingly appreciated
by residents and historians alike. The Ministry of Culture and Communications of Quebec has
also taken notice, expressing concern over the steady decline of this modest yet vital part of the
province’s architectural heritage.

For now, the future of the matchstick houses hangs in the balance. As Gatineau continues to
grow and modernize, the question remains: can the city balance progress with preservation, or
will these once-ubiquitous homes become mere footnotes in its history?

Photo: Gatineau’s historic matchstick houses, like the maison ouvragée en bois that once
belonged to the Raymond family, are disappearing under the pressures of urban development,
neglect, and demolition, prompting calls for urgent preservation efforts. (TF) Photo courtesy of
the City of Gatineau

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