The historical center of the municipality of Pointe-Claire was developed in an exceptional natural and geographical setting. The buildings established in the parish core, as well as the point itself  jutting into Lake St. Louis, and referred to in the municipality's name are reminders of the past which clearly illustrate this to visitors. This rich natural and architectural heritage also stretches beyond the point, mainly along a strip of land bordering the lake.

In 1834, Monseigneur Signay decreed the canonical establishment of the parish. In 1845, Pointe-Claire became a civil entity; then, in 1854, a municipality. Agriculture was always the center of activity and the area changed little in appearance. Transformations gradually came about with the influx of English-speaking summer vacationers attracted by the area's natural features. This new social context and its activities marked the landscape and influenced the area's development until the Second World War. Real changes appeared with the coming of the Grand Trunk Railroad in 1855, which reduced the journey to Montreal to 45 minutes, as well as with the opening of the Canadian Pacific Line in 1887 and the initiation of telephone service in the 1890s. At the turn of the century, several hotels, which no longer exist, were built for vacationers, and a large number of private dwellings were rented. Seasonal cottages were also built which eventually became permanent residences.

In 1889, the area of the municipality was enlarged through the annexation of properties. On May 22, 1900, the heart of the village suffered a major fire that destroyed 23 houses along Church Street (St. Joachim Street), St. Anne Street and the current Lakeshore Road. The town was incorporated in 1911 and included the whole village, plus a fairly large section of the old parish, of which an additional part was annexed in 1958. With the construction of a highway alongside the railway in 1940, Pointe-Claire's role as a suburb was confirmed. The important part of its architectural and historical heritage is located to the south. An inventory taken in 1989 at the request of the urban planning division counted approximately 150 old buildings of interest.