Messines, Quebec
Encyclopedia
Messines is a municipality in the Canadian
province of Quebec
. It includes the population centres of Messines and Farley.
In 1840, the village of Messines was known by the name of Burbridge. The consolidation of this community, at the start of the 1900s, was thanks to the arrival of the railway, which for more than a century connected Hull
(Gatineau
) to Maniwaki
. The name was changed to Messines around 1919. The Saint-Raphaël parish was legally constituted in 1906.
The first municipal council was elected in 1921 with Louis Lécuyer
as its first mayor.
In the middle of the 20th century, Messines was very active in growing potatoes thanks to its sandy soil, ideal for extensive exploitation of this staple. For many years, an important agricultural co-operative was formed between the local and regional farmers of the day. The original main building of the co-op today houses a sawmill. During the second half of the century, the municipality’s economy gradually changed to tourism and cottagers, thanks to the presence of its magnificent lakes. Some of the more popular ones are: Blue Sea Lake
, Big Cedar and Little Cedar Lake
s. There are also many forested areas which are great for outdoor activities throughout the year. Today, the municipality is also known for its hunting and fishing
territories, and for a wide variety of recreational activities available all year long.
More and more people choose to establish permanent residency here. This too helps contribute to the local economy.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
province of Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
. It includes the population centres of Messines and Farley.
In 1840, the village of Messines was known by the name of Burbridge. The consolidation of this community, at the start of the 1900s, was thanks to the arrival of the railway, which for more than a century connected Hull
Hull, Quebec
Hull is the central and oldest part of the city of Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. It is located on the west bank of the Gatineau River and the north shore of the Ottawa River, directly opposite Ottawa. As part of the Canadian National Capital Region, it contains offices for twenty thousand...
(Gatineau
Gatineau
Gatineau is a city in western Quebec, Canada. It is the fourth largest city in the province. It is located on the northern banks of the Ottawa River, immediately across from Ottawa, Ontario, and together they form Canada's National Capital Region. Ottawa and Gatineau comprise a single Census...
) to Maniwaki
Maniwaki, Quebec
Maniwaki is a town north of Gatineau and located north-west of Montreal, in the province of Quebec, Canada. The town is situated on the Gatineau River, at the crossroads of Route 105 and Route 107, not far south of Route 117...
. The name was changed to Messines around 1919. The Saint-Raphaël parish was legally constituted in 1906.
The first municipal council was elected in 1921 with Louis Lécuyer
Louis Lécuyer
Louis Lécuyer was the first mayor of Messines, Quebec. He served as Mayor of Messines from 1921–1923, 1926–1927 and 1935-1937....
as its first mayor.
In the middle of the 20th century, Messines was very active in growing potatoes thanks to its sandy soil, ideal for extensive exploitation of this staple. For many years, an important agricultural co-operative was formed between the local and regional farmers of the day. The original main building of the co-op today houses a sawmill. During the second half of the century, the municipality’s economy gradually changed to tourism and cottagers, thanks to the presence of its magnificent lakes. Some of the more popular ones are: Blue Sea Lake
Blue Sea Lake
Blue Sea Lake is a lake in the municipalities of Blue Sea and Messines, Quebec, Canada, about north of Gatineau. It is known for its crystal clear water and is surrounded by cottages on its shores....
, Big Cedar and Little Cedar Lake
Little Cedar Lake
Little Cedar Lake is a 2.5 mile lake located in Messines, Quebec, 90 minutes from Ottawa. Recreational activities include swimming, fishing and watersports. It is a very shallow and sandy area in parts, but is, however, 120 feet in spots with crystal clean water, with lake trout sitting around 80...
s. There are also many forested areas which are great for outdoor activities throughout the year. Today, the municipality is also known for its hunting and fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
territories, and for a wide variety of recreational activities available all year long.
More and more people choose to establish permanent residency here. This too helps contribute to the local economy.
List of mayors
The mayors of Messines were:- Ronald Cross 2001 to date
- Normand St-Jacques 1997-2001
- Ronald Cross 1993-1997
- Marc Beaulieu 1987-1993
- Joseph Mayer 1985-1987
- Marcel Lévesque 1983-1985
- Léo Lafontaine 1978-1983
- Viateur Saumure 1977-1978
- Jean-Louis Latourelle 1972-1977
- Rolland Jolivette 1971-1972
- Jean-Paul Dault 1968-1971
- Rolland Jolivette 1965-1968
- Oscar St-Jacques 1961-1965
- Ludger Beaudoin 1953-1961
- Alexandre Lafrenière 1951-1953
- Oscar St-Jacques 1947-1951
- Alexandre Lafrenière 1945-1947
- Anastase Saumure 1943-1945
- Frank Nault 1942-1943
- Alexandre Lafrenière 1937-1941
- Louis LécuyerLouis LécuyerLouis Lécuyer was the first mayor of Messines, Quebec. He served as Mayor of Messines from 1921–1923, 1926–1927 and 1935-1937....
1935-1937 - Alexandre Lafrenière 1933-1935
- Ernest NoëlErnest NoelErnest Noel FGS was member of Parliament for the Scottish seat of Dumfries Burghs from 1874 to 1886. He was chairman of the Artizans, Labourers & General Dwellings Company from 1880, during the construction of a new suburb for the working classes in Wood Green which was named "Noel Park" in his...
1931-1933 - Harmidas Latourelle 1929-1931
- Louis Corbeil 1928-1929
- Louis LécuyerLouis LécuyerLouis Lécuyer was the first mayor of Messines, Quebec. He served as Mayor of Messines from 1921–1923, 1926–1927 and 1935-1937....
1926-1927 - Louis Corbeil 1923-1926
- Louis LécuyerLouis LécuyerLouis Lécuyer was the first mayor of Messines, Quebec. He served as Mayor of Messines from 1921–1923, 1926–1927 and 1935-1937....
1921-1923