Gracefield, a city nestled in the Outaouais region of Quebec, Canada, is a part of the La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau Regional County Municipality. The city was reorganized on March 13, 2002, when three former municipalities - Gracefield, Northfield, and Wright - were merged into one. Named after Patrick Grace, the first businessman and mayor of Wright from 1885 to 1890, Gracefield is a picturesque city located along the Gatineau River and Picanoc River. The area is dotted with numerous lakes, most of which are lined with summer camps and cottages, making it a perfect getaway destination.
The history of Gracefield dates back to 1840 when Augustin Ethyer, originally from Saint-Martin on Île Jésus, became the first settler. The first church, which also served as a school during the week, was built in 1841. By 1845, Gracefield had grown into a small village with 20 families. New settlers began to establish homes on the banks of the Gatineau River, in what would later become Northfield, which was then the outskirts of the village in the canton of Wright.
The three municipalities of Gracefield, Northfield, and Wright shared multiple services and infrastructure since the beginning of colonization. This close-knit relationship led to their reorganization into one municipality in 2002, initially named Wright-Gracefield-Northfield and later renamed to Gracefield on February 22, 2003.
Gracefield has witnessed significant events, including the great flood of 1974, when the waters of the Gatineau River and linked lakes overflowed, causing extensive damage. On June 23, 2010, a magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck Gracefield, damaging several buildings and leading to a state of emergency.
The late 19th to early 20th century saw Gracefield bustling with mica mines, which have now all closed. However, the discovery of a significant quantity of zinc in Wright has sparked interest in mining.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Gracefield had a population of 2,376 living in 1,131 of its 1,880 total private dwellings. This was a change of -3.5% from its 2016 population of 2,462. With a land area of 380.94 km2 (147.08 sq mi), it had a population density of 6.2/km2 (16.2/sq mi) in 2021.
Prior to amalgamation, the populations in 2001 were: Gracefield: 615, Northfield: 521, Wright: 1137. In 1996, the populations were: Gracefield: 713, Northfield: 516, Wright: 1202. In 1991, the populations were: Gracefield: 703, Northfield: 514, Wright: 1157.
As of 2021, the mother tongue of the population was: English as first language: 9.6%, French as first language: 86.8%, English and French as first language: 2.6%, Other as first language: 1.3%.
Gracefield, Quebec, with its rich history and natural beauty, is a city worth exploring. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or just looking for a peaceful retreat, Gracefield has something for everyone.
