Cadillac

To get to the small park where the information panel is located, you probably took the path leading to the city centre that can be seen in the vintage photo shown above.

On the left you can see the back of the presbytery which is still present on the village’s landscape, though it is now a private residence. The church, next door to it, has also barely changed and is easily recognizable by its original foundation-type construction, which was common at the time when people lacked the funds needed to build a tall church.

Cadillac, or the “petit Canada” as it was called at the time, is without a doubt located at the heart of Abitibi-Témiscamingue’s mining wealth. You'll be able to see for yourself as you travel along the road leading there and the surrounding trails!

Photo source: BAnQ

In July 1944, an out-of-control forest fire reached the Cadillac village and burned a part of it. Here you can see people and household items at the entrance to the village, which is still covered in smoke.

Photo source: BAnQ

A view of downtown Cadillac in 1942. You can see the Banque Canadienne Nationale, Lemay Hotel, and Eddy’s Barber Shop.

Photo source: BAnQ

Did you know? The teacher Émilie Bordeleau, made famous due to the novel Les filles de Caleb by Arlette Cousture, taught at the Rapide-Sept village!

Photo source: The Facebook page La vraie histoire d’Émilie Bordeleau, madame Ovila Pronovost

One of the reasons Cadillac exists is the O’Brien Mine, which was one of the most productive in Canada.

The presence of mines close to Cadillac created and still creates many jobs and attracts many families. It’s also for this reason that the artist has lived there for 26 years.

Artist: Jacqueline Gravel

Year: 2016

Materials: acrylic on UHD panel

Jacqueline Gravel is an artist-painter for over 20 years. She was trained by another artist from Cadillac, Nicole Houle.

Above, the photo that inspired the artist to create the piece representing the neighborhood!

1938: Establishment of Cadillac as a mining village and electrification

1939: Foundation of the parish of Sainte-Brigitte and construction of the Rapide-Sept dam and power plant

1941-1951: Significant population growth linked to the O'Brien gold mine

1948: Attainment of city status and construction of sidewalks

1951: Construction of the Rapide-Deux dam and its locality

1956: Closure of the mine leading to a significant population decline

1961-1966: Opening of Cadillac Moly and Preissac Molybdenite, resulting in a new population increase

1968: Closure of the Rapide-Sept locality following the automation of the hydroelectric plant

1969: Closure of Rapide-Deux for the same reasons

1971: Closure of two mines, new population decline, and closure of CIP logging camps

1978: Opening of the Darius gold mine

1990: Operation of the Mouska mine

2002: Merger with other municipalities of the MRC

Feel free to explore the other routes in the Immersion Douce Rebelle network. Looking for another activity to do in Rouyn-Noranda? Visit tourismerouyn-noranda.ca.