Québec National Parks, one of the three magnificent Sépaq Networks

Français

1-800-665-6527

	Conservation Mission

History

We know little about the settlement of the area around Parc national du Mont-Orford before the arrival of Europeans in North America. The colonization of what would become the Eastern Townships began with the American War of Independence.

The Proclamation of 1792 specified that the territory to be conceded in Lower Canada should be divided into townships. Park lands were then mostly part of Orford Township. "Orford" is the name of a village in Suffolk County, England.

For years, Orford Township was almost uninhabited, in spite of the construction of the Boston Road in 1810, linking Québec City and Boston. Colonization intensified somewhat after 1820. The government of Lower Canada counted on British immigrants to settle the Eastern Townships region. To organize this endeavor, it relied on the British American Land Co., which became sole owner of all Crown land in the area, as well as on the clergy of several counties. It also relied on its land agent for the region, William Bowman Felton. As of 1830, rural roads XVII and XVIII of Orford Township bore the names of Maria, Mathilda and Octavia Felton. These young women were thus the first owners of Cherry Pond and Mont Orford! In 1848, the British American Land Co. acquired most of the other lots which would eventually become part of the park.

Only towards the end of the 19th century did the area become more populated. For a number of years, a medical doctor from Magog dedicated much effort to the development of the region. As of 1920, Dr. G.A. Bowen tried to interest several parties in a project dear to him: to create a park around this mountain overlooking the town of Magog. However, things progressed slowly.

The creation of Parc national du Mont-Orford, on April 8, 1938, was the culmination of a cooperative regional effort by twenty-seven municipalities, who agreed to acquire and transfer a large parcel of land to the Québec government for the creation of a park.

A golf course, a chalet and the first mechanical ski lift were built in the early years of the park's existence. Cross country ski trails were laid out as of 1939 and were subsequently upgraded, based on recommendations from Herman ("Jackrabbit") Smith Johannsen.

In the early 1950s, the first music camp was held by Jeunesses musicales of Canada, the organization that eventually gave rise to the Centre d'Arts Orford.

In 1967, the provincial government department responsible for parks inaugurated the access road and the campground on the shores of Lac Stukely. It also conducted an ecological survey of the territory, laid out guided nature trails, and developed an educational program to make users more aware of the park's ecological importance. In 1975, the park was expanded from 41 sq. km. to 58 sq. km., notably to better protect the white-tailed deer population. It was also at this time that the Jouvence outdoor recreation centre was added to the park.

In 1979, following public hearings, Parc national du Mont-Orford was officially designated a "recreational park," i.e., an area where outdoor activities and environmental protection go hand in hand.

Parc national du Mont-Orford is unique in at least two respects: its small size, which probably protected the park from logging or mining activities, and the major role played by regional stakeholders ever since the park's creation.