History of Maskinongé, Québec, Canada

1672 - Seigniory (Maskinonge), granted Nov. 1672, to Pierre and Jean Baptiste Legardeur, Sieurs de St. Michel

1722 - Église de Saint-Joseph established at Maskinongé

www.gcatholic.org

1832 - MASKINONGE.
seigniory, in the co. of St. Maurice, is bounded N.E. by the S. of Riviere du Loup; S.W. by Berthier; in the rear by Dusable and Craufel; in front by Lake St. Peter. It contains two separate grants: that of the N.E. part, 1 1/ 2 league in front by the same depth, was made Nov. 1672, to Peter and John Baptiste Legardeur, Sieurs de St. Michel; and the S.W. part, a league in front by a league in depth, on the same day to Sieur John Baptiste Legardeur. The soil is rich, and in some places would be excellent for hemp and flax. The land in general is rather flat, and towards the front is so low as to be sometimes overflowed in the spring; but this only serves to enrich the fine meadows and good pasture-grounds that border the river. The timber has been very much thinned. This S. is very well watered by some small streams and the large river Maskinonge, which winds through the centre and is navigable for boats and canoes for several miles up. - About two-thirds are in cultivation. The best... Read MORE...

On July 1, 1855 the parish municipality of Saint-Joseph-de-Maskinongé was formed during the administrative division of Quebec.

grandquebec.com

1873
MASKINONGE, a county in the western part of Quebec, having Lake St. Peter, an expansion of the St. Lawrence, for its S.E. boundary. Area 2,061,327 acres. The north western part of the county is drained by the Gatineau and Du Lièvre rivers, and some of their tributaries, and the south eastern part by the Maskinonge and Du Loup rivers and several other streams, some flowing into the St. Lawrence others into the St. Maurice. Capital, Riviere du Loup en haut. Pop. 15,079.

MASKINONGE, a thriving post village and river port in Maskinonge co., Que., on the north shore of the St. Lawrence, 30 miles S.W. of Three Rivers It contains a telegraph office and several stores Pop. 250.
Lovell's gazetteer of British North America; J. Lovell; Montreal, 1873

1890 - Maskinongé
Maskinongé. vil. and river-port, Quebec, in M. co., on River St Lawrence, 14 m. by rail from Berthier Junction. P. 275.
The Pocket Atlas and Gazetteer of the Dominion of Canada
John George Bartholomew John Murdoch Harper January 1, 1890 London : J. Walker

1890 - CLERICAL INTERFERENCE.
Complaints to be Made to Rome About the Conduct of Mgr. Lafleche.

QUEBEC, July 5. - LeCanadian says complaints are to be made to Rome against Mgr. Lafleche, Bishop of Three Rivers, who is accused of meddling in politics; and that the elections for Three Rivers, Champlain and Maskinonge are to be contested on grounds of undue clerical influence. It also says Mgr. Guay, a priest in Rimouski, is to be cited before his diocesan for interfering in politics.
The Winnipeg Tribune
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
July 5, 1890

1891 - CURSED THE CHURCH. - A Canadian Priest Calls Down God's Wrath on a Catholic Chapel. WITH HIS UPLIFTED CRUCIFIX.
The Edifice Was Erected Against the Orders of the Bishop.
FEELING OF TERROR AMONG THE PEOPLE.

MONTREAL, July 3. - A most extraordinary scene took place in a little chapel in the parish of Maskinonge, about 40 miles from Montreal, on Monday last, which with Roman Catholics is the day of St. Peter and St. Paul. It was the cursing of a church by order of Bishop Lafleche, of Three Rivers, and has caused indescribable excitement in Roman Catholic circles. In the country districts the inhabitants are talking of nothing else, and those immediately concerned are simply terror-stricken at what they consider a fearful manifestation of the power of the Church.

The cursing of the church was done by a Redemptorist Father, acting evidently under orders of Rev. Mr. Lafleche, cure of Maskinonge, and nephew of Mgr. Lafleche, Bishop of Three Rivers. The action of the ecclesiastics is the result of a schism in the parish, brought about by dissensions as to the location of the new parish church at ... Read MORE...

1892 - Owing to dissatisfaction over the erection of a new church at Maskinonge, Que.,
20 or 30 French-Canadian families living in the parish have forsaken the church of their fathers, and gone over to their Protestant brethren.
Vancouver Daily World
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
August 20, 1892

1892 - ONCE CATHOLICS, NOW BAPTISTS
Ten Men and One Woman Immersed At Maskinonge.

MONTREAL, August 27. - A scene possibly unprecedented in the history of the province of Quebec, took place in Maskinonge Thursday, when ten men and one woman were baptized according to the ritual of the Baptist church, being converts from the Roman Catholic church. This is the outcome of the refusal of the Catholic authorities to grant the request of a majority of the parishoners a year ago for the erection of a church on their side of the river, and the appointment of a cure.
The Indianapolis News
Indianapolis, Indiana
August 27, 1892

1895 - Maskinonge
MASKINONGE, a county in the western part of Quebec, having Lake St. Peter, an expansion of the St. Lawrence, for its south-east boundary. Area 2,636,800 acres. The north-western part of the county is drained by the Gatineau and Du Lièvre Rivers and some of their tributaries, and the south-eastern part by the Maskinongé and Du Loup Rivers and several other streams, some flowing into the St. Lawrence, others into the St Maurice. Capital, Louiseville. Pop. 17,829.
Crossby, Peter Alfred. Lovell's gazetteer of British North America. (John Lovell & Son)., 1895

1895 - Maskinongé
Maskinonge, a post-village in Maskinonge co, Quebec, on the St. Lawrence, 30 miles S.W. of Three Rivers. It contains several stores. Pop. 250.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1906
Maskinongé, a post-village of Maskinongé co., Quebec, on the St. Lawrence, 30 miles SW. of Three Rivers. Pop. 75.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

1958 - Maskinongé Farmer Wins Gold Medal
Wilfrid Lebeau, a 66-year old farmer, of nearby Maskinongé county, has been awarded the gold medal offered by the province every year in a competition of agricultural merit.

Each year the provincial Department of Agriculture selects certain districts to be inspected, with the finest farm winning the award and the farmer becoming a Commander of Agricultural Merit. This year 99 farms were considered for the award.

In a second class open to religious institutions, the gold medal was awarded the farm of the Mountfortains Seminary Papineauville.
The Shawinigan Standard
Shawinigan, Quebec
September 3, 1958

On August 27, 1991, a category 3 tornado devastated the village, leaving about forty destroyed houses in its path, and debris for miles. About 15 people were injured, but fortunately no fatalities were reported.

grandquebec.com

On April 25, 2001, the municipalities of Maskinongé and Saint-Joseph-de-Maskinongé merged under the name of Maskinongé.

grandquebec.com

2023 - Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Maskinongé:
Maskinongé Beach: Start your visit with a relaxing day at Maskinongé Beach. This sandy shoreline along the Saint Lawrence River is perfect for sunbathing, swimming, or taking a leisurely stroll along the water's edge.

Fishing: The region is renowned for its excellent fishing opportunities. Whether you prefer fly fishing, shore fishing, or casting your line from a boat, you'll find plenty of spots to try your luck. Maskinongé is particularly known for its walleye and bass fishing.

Parc des Chutes de Sainte-Ursule: Located just a short drive from Maskinongé, this beautiful park features cascading waterfalls, hiking trails, and picnic areas. It's a great spot for a day of nature exploration.

Moulin Seigneurial de Tonnancour: Explore the history of the region by visiting this well-preserved 18th-century seigneurial mill. You can take guided tours to learn about its operation and the role it played in the local economy.

Local Cuisine: Sample some delicious Quebecois cuisine at... Read MORE...