Grand-Mère, Quebec


Grand-Mère is a settlement and former municipality in central Quebec, Canada on the Saint-Maurice River. As a result of the municipal reorganization in Quebec which took effect at the beginning of 2002, Grand-Mère now forms part of the City of Shawinigan. Population in 2001 was 13,179.

History

Grand-Mère was founded in 1898. Like some of its neighbouring towns, it owes its economic origins to the St-Maurice river on which it is located. A major hydroelectric dam that was built on the river in 1916 was one of the oldest and largest Hydro-Québec generating stations. The dam was replaced by a larger dam in 2004. The abundance of relatively inexpensive electricity led to the development of industry, primarily based on the production of paper. Logs which were used for the paper pulp were floated downstream on the St-Maurice to the paper mill from more northerly areas. The mill, which has changed ownership over the decades, has had a lasting impact on the town, from the creation of its award-winning golf course to the construction of several of the town's historic buildings.
The surrounding area consists of forested hills, lakes, and flat plains and farms, with much glacial activity still evident. The Mauricie region in which Grand-Mère is located has been struggling economically for decades, and boasts some of the most inexpensive real estate in Canada.
The name of the town comes from a rock formation that resembles an old Juliet from Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.. The formation is now in a small park overlooking the St-Maurice River.
The area's biggest attraction is La Mauricie National Park.

Education

There are five public schools. All of them are affiliated to the Commission scolaire de l'Énergie school board.
SchoolLevelLocationNumber of
Students
Antoine-HalléElementary1001, 8e Rue217
École de Sainte-Flore 'Elementary3351, 33e Rue148
École secondaire du RocherSecondary300, 7e Rue923
LaflècheElementary153, 1321, 5e Avenue261
Saint-Paul 'Elementary461, 16e Avenue133

Mayors

From 1898 to 2001, Grand-Mère had its own mayor and its own city council. The mayors were:
#MayorTaking OfficeLeaving
1François Normandin18981898
2T. Desaulniers18981900
3A. Turcotte19001901
4F.-X. Gingras19011902
5A. Roy19021903
6A. Tremblay19031905
7J. Desaulniers19051908
8J.-A. Robert19081910
9Pierre-Calixte Neault19101916
10Dr. G.-A. Ferron19161919
9Pierre-Calixte Neault19191920
11J.-P. Lalonde19201923
12Dr. J.-Edmond Guibord19231930
13L. Trépanier19311931
14J.-Alfred Gagnon19311935
15Dr. Joseph Onésime Honorius Ricard19351939
14J.-Alfred Gagnon19391943
16Elzéar Dallaire19431951
17A. Thibeault19511953
18J.-E.-A. Matteau19531957
19Joseph-Alfred Therrien19571965
20H. Prud’Homme19651970
21Jean-Marie Lafontaine19701982
22Jacques Marchand19821994
23Gérald Bastarache19941998
24Linda Lafrenière19982001

Footnotes