An interesting historical discovery has recently been made at the site of the North St. Lawrence Market Redevelopment project.

In a news release issued Tuesday, the city said parts of centuries-old markets that previously stood at the site of the current North St. Lawrence Market building were uncovered during an archeological assessment.

According to the release, crews unearthed evidence of markets that existed at the location in 1831, 1851 and 1904.

The items that were uncovered include foundation piers from the 1831 building, a flagstone sewer as part of either the 1831 or the 1851 building and the pre-development ground surface in the interior courtyard of the 1831 building.

Since 1803, the property has housed some type of market where cattle, sheep, poultry and other goods and merchandise were sold.

According to Dr. Peter Popkin, the lead archeologist for the revitalization project, the first brick market was built on the property in 1831 and the north end of the building functioned as the town hall and later city hall until the building was destroyed by a fire in 1849.

Popkin said that in light of the findings, further archeological assessment will likely be required before construction can begin on the new facility to ensure that items of historical significance can be preserved.

The new facility will replace the aging building that currently sits at the site with a four-storey structure that will house a farmers’ market, an antique market as well as court rooms, a parking garage and an administrative building.

It is not entirely clear how long construction could be delayed.