Saint-Marcel, Quebec

Saint-Marcel is a municipality in Quebec located in the MRC de L'Islet in the Chaudière-Appalaches.[4][5]

Saint-Marcel
Municipality
Location within L'Islet RCM
Saint-Marcel
Location in southern Quebec
Coordinates: 46°54′N 70°04′W[1]
Country Canada
Province Quebec
RegionChaudière-Appalaches
RCML'Islet
ConstitutedJuly 30, 1904
Government
 • MayorClément Bernier
 • Federal ridingMontmagny—L'Islet—
Kamouraska—Rivière-
du-Loup
 • Prov. ridingCôte-du-Sud
Area
 • Total180.10 km2 (69.54 sq mi)
 • Land178.57 km2 (68.95 sq mi)
Population
 • Total439
 • Density2.5/km2 (6/sq mi)
 • Pop 2006-2011
 16.7%
 • Dwellings
289
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Postal code(s)
G0R 3R0
Area code(s)418 and 581
Highways Route 216
Route 285
Websitewww.saintmarcel.qc.ca

The 2006 census counted 527 people there.[6]

Geography

Saint-Marcel is located 130 miles from Quebec southeast of the Chaudière-Appalaches region, in the "Côte-du-sud" area, on the Appalachian plateau. Near the Canada–US border, it is halfway between Sainte-Felicite and Sainte-Apolline-de-Patton. The landscape consists of rolling hills and valleys of between 250 and 450 meters (800–1500 feet). There are several rivers and lakes, Saint-Marcel being on the boundary of two watersheds to St. Lawrence River north and south to the border: the Grande rivière Noire, the rivière Rocheuse, and lakes Cayen, aux Canards, d'Apic and Roches et Fontaine Claire. In addition, the motocross circuit Saint-Marcel took the title of the most beautiful track in 2008 SXQC Performance GP series.

History

In 1865, Township of Arago was established, which was named in honour of the French astronomer and politician François Arago (1786-1853). The Pelletier brothers from the nearby village of St. Cyril, were the first residents. Among the first establishments in the sector, a mission established in 1882, which was recognized civilly in 1904 and canonically in 1924 as the parish of "Saint-Marcel-de-Islet." The municipality of St. Marcel was formed in 1956 under the same name. Although the exact reasons for the name of the first mission are not known, sources say it is ultimately a reference to Saint Marcel 1st, pope from 308 to 309, under the Roman Emperor Maxence. Because once some villagers were accustomed to wear large woven hats with straw, Marcellois (residents of St-Marcel) received the nickname Chapeaux de Paille (Straw Hats).[7] Between 1981 and 2001 the population of the municipality was reduced by 18%, affected by a declining birth rate and an aging population.

Timeline
  • July 5, 1904: Creation of the municipality of the Township of Arago.
  • August 18, 1956: The City of Canton d'Arago became the municipality of Saint Marcel.
  • March 15, 1969: The municipality changed its name to Saint-Marcel

Economy

Agriculture (especially dairy cattle) and maple farming is the main activity of the area and surpassed logging, in addition to the presence of quarries and sand pits. To take advantage of d'Apic Lake, a resort includes an interpretive nature trail. In addition, the former parsonage has been transformed into an inn which serves gourmet meals and local produce.

See also

References
  1. Reference number 57174 of the Commission de toponymie du Québec (in French)
  2. Geographic code 17020 in the official Répertoire des municipalités (in French)
  3. "(Code 2417020) Census Profile". 2011 census. Statistics Canada. 2012.
  4. Translated from the French article Saint-Marcel (Québec).
  5. Répertoire des municipalités : Saint-Marcel
  6. Recensement : Saint-Marcel
  7. = 57174 Toponymy: Saint-Marcel
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