|
|
 |
|
A Little History
Lac Simon owes its name to a family of Algonquins from Oka. In the XIXth century, members of the "Cimon" family (pronounced "Tchimone" at the time), settled on the banks of the large lake, located mid-way between Okay and Maniwaki. The Cimons were experts in making bark canoes and found an abundance of raw material in the region, since the banks of the lake were covered with white birch. People came from far and wide to buy Cimon canoes, which were reputed for quality. The Cimons, with
their extensive knowledge of nature, were also known as outstanding healers, trappers and fishermen. In 1845, an Amerindian couple, Amable Leblanc and Maria-Louise Cimon also came to live at "Cimon's Lac", along with eight other families. Because his skin was a little paler than that of his compatriots, Amable Leblanc, an excellent storyteller, was named "Canard Blanc" (White Duck), a name that stuck with him. The Ile du Canard Blanc, the largest island in lac Simon, honours the memory of this man and woman, who both
lived exceptionally long lives. |
|
Photos taken from the documentary "Villages de l'Outaouais" (1989) coproduced by the Société Radio-Canada and Imagen Société audio-visuelle inc. |
|
|
 |
|
The first Franco-Catholic colonists began to settle at lac Simon in 1852. They eked out a living by timber driving, working in timber-cutting camps and farming. Established in the area in around 1920, the Singer company, owner of forest concessions and the current site of the Vacation Resort, built a log pavilion in around 1945 (now the community centre), where they received important visitors. The company also established a farm near lac de la ferme and several administrative buildings in the
village of Duhamel. Late in the 1950s, the Singer company abruptly closed its administrative offices and destroyed a large part of its installations. In the same period, tourists and vacationers began to visit lac Simon. In 1972, the Société d'aménagement de l'Outaouais acquired the site and developed the campground, which opened its doors in 1975. Operated since 1988 by the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec, Centre touristique du Lac-Simon continues to fulfil its mission of welcoming visitors and
promoting the great outdoors on the banks of one of the natural jewels of the Outaouais. |
|
|
|
| | | | |
| | | | | |
© 2008 La Sépaq, all rights reserved.
|
|
