Les Forges du St Maurice, dating back to 1729 and located in an iron rich area above Three Rivers, was the earliest and most successful ironworking industry in New France. Heavily subsidized by the French government as well as being granted a monopoly, for many years it was also the most successful forge in North America. The most technically advanced ironworks in America, the forge produced iron and molded products such as stoves pots and pans. It employed over 100 specialized craftsmen and between 300 and 400 labourers producing forged iron and molded products such as pots pans and stove. The work force, originally from iron producing regions of Burgundy, developed as a distinctive community, living in Canada’s first company town.
As government support dwindled and employees became difficult to find, production was reduced and profits disappeared.
In 1742 the company became bankrupt and was taken over by the state. Experiments with steelmaking and cannon founding in 1747 did not succeed.
At the Treaty of Paris in 1763 ownership passed to the British crown.The Forge underwent several changes of management before finally closing in 1873. A hundred years later it became a national historic park well worth a visit.