Lac-Mégantic, a quaint town nestled in the Estrie region of Quebec, Canada, is a place of rich history and natural beauty. Named after the freshwater lake it borders, Lac-Mégantic is a significant hub in the former Frontenac County in the historic Eastern Townships. It serves as the seat of Le Granit Regional County Municipality and the judicial district of Mégantic.
The region of Lac-Mégantic was inhabited by the Abenaki long before European contact. Archaeological evidence suggests human occupation in the region for over 12,000 years, making it the oldest known site of human habitation in Quebec. The town's name, Mégantic, is derived from the Abenaki word "namesokanjik," meaning "place where the fish are held."
The first European to discover the region was a Catholic missionary, Father Druillettes of the Society of Jesus, in 1646. However, the first settlers, of French Canadian or Scottish origin, arrived around 1850. The town was officially founded in 1884, following the construction of the final segment of the Canadian Pacific Railway's transcontinental railway. This railway linked Montreal with the Atlantic Ocean port of Saint John, New Brunswick, and opened in 1889.
Malcolm MacAuley, the first mayor of Mégantic (1885-1888), was linked to the infamous Donald Morrison case. Morrison, a local resident, was charged with arson and later involved in a fatal gunfight with an American bailiff. After a ten-month chase, Morrison was captured, imprisoned, and later died of tuberculosis.
On July 6, 2013, Lac-Mégantic faced a devastating rail disaster when an unattended 73-car freight train carrying crude oil derailed near the downtown area. The ensuing fire and explosion killed or presumed killed 47 people, making it Canada's deadliest rail disaster since the St-Hilaire train disaster in 1864.
Lac-Mégantic is located at the eastern part of the Estrie administrative region, approximately 35 kilometers from the United States border. The town is situated 50 kilometers from Mont Mégantic and is home to the source of the Chaudière River, which empties into the St. Lawrence River.
As per the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Lac-Mégantic had a population of 5,747. The median age was 53.6, and 87% of the population were 15 years of age and over. The majority of residents (98%) reported French as their sole native language.
Lac-Mégantic is crossed by Quebec Route 161 and Quebec Route 204. The town was a significant railway hub, with the Canadian Pacific Railway building a transcontinental railway line linking Montreal with the Atlantic Ocean port of Saint John, New Brunswick. The town was also home to the now-decommissioned Megantic Airport.
Lac-Mégantic has two sister cities: Dourdan, France (since 1989), and Farmington, Maine, United States (since 1991). These relationships foster cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the communities.
