Welcome to Chagnon-Shonyo Park, whose pretty rotunda serves as a landmark for many visitors to our region. You are here at the northern edge of the former Township of Bolton, granted to Nicholas Austin and his Associates in 1797.
The name of the park is attributable to the neighbouring mountain, which itself has had two names over time: named after the Chagnon brothers (pioneers of the region in the early 19th century), the name was later anglicized by unilingual anglophones who began to call it Shonyo. Since 1916, however, 'Chagnon' has been the official name chosen by Quebec to designate the mountain, as part of a francization process.
In the Rotunda, you will discover a magnificent excerpt from Alfred Desrochers' book of outdoor poetry, À l'ombre de l'Orford.
C’est un midi où va naître l’automne :
Septembre. Le soleil indistinct garde encore sa chaleur verticale et son visage d’or,
Mais déjà la fraîcheur détonne….
Un crapaud rôde dans l’herbe
En sauts gauches et nerveux,
Et son cri qui s’exacerbe
Est perçant comme ses yeux…
Here, mountain and lake meet to offer you a unique point of view. Your gaze can be drawn to both Orford Lake and Mount Orford. Orford Lake covers an area of 1.2 square kilometres and borders both the municipalities of Eastman and Austin. At the bottom of the lake lies an old 19th century livestock rail car, the remains of a train derailment. Lake Orford is particularly known for its clear waters and depth.
Mount Orford, located in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, lends its name to the national park established in 1938 through the efforts of Dr. George Austin Bowen, a dedicated conservationist. The park's creation was the result of a regional collaboration, with 27 municipalities acquiring and transferring land to the Government of Quebec.
The development of Route 1 in 1922, connecting Montreal to Sherbrooke, and its upgrades in 1946 making it accessible in winter, significantly boosted recreational tourism in the area. This led to the establishment of a ski resort on Mont Chagnon and the emergence of motels, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
In 1964, the opening of Highway 10 between Montreal and Magog further enhanced access to the region, supporting the growth of golf and downhill skiing facilities within Mount Orford National Park.
Enjoy the present moment at Chagnon-Shonyo Park. Explore the interpretive texts in the rotunda and learn about the geography and history of Austin’s northern sector.