History of Donnacona, Québec, Canada

1642 - Parish of Écureuils established
The history of the city begins at the beginning of the 17th century, with the founding of the first fur trading posts. The canonical constitution of the parish of Écureuils dates back to 1642. The name of the parish comes from the fact that the place was covered with oak forests, inhabited by a large number of squirrels.
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1672 - Seigniory (Les Ecureuils) Granted Nov. 3rd, 1672, to the Sieurs Toupin.
In 1672, the intendant of New France Jean Talon granted Toupin du Sault-à-la-Puce and his son Jean the right to develop this territory.
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Donnacona had its beginning in 1700 with the building of a paper mill at a site along the river called Fond Jacques-Cartier.

The Canadian Encyclopedia

1742 - Parish of St-Jean-Baptiste-des-Écureuils opened

Le Programme de recherche en démographie historique - Univeriste de Montreal

A second paper mill was built in Donnacona in 1815.

The Canadian Encyclopedia

1831 - Église de la Nativité-de-Saint-Jean-Baptiste established at Les Écureuils

www.gcatholic.org

1832 - ECUREUILS, LES, or BELAIR,
and its augmentation is a seigniory in the co. of Portneuf. It fronts the St. Lawrence and is bounded S.W. by the S. of Jacques Cartier; N.E. by Point aux Trembles and in the rear by D'Auteuil. - It is 1/ 2 l. in breadth by 1 league in depth. Granted Nov. 3rd, 1672, to the Sieurs Toupin. The augmentation, of the same breadth as the seigniory and 2 l. in depth was granted Jan. 20th, 1706, to Marie Magdelaine Mezerai, widow of Jean Toupin. - ...The lands are nearly all conceded and most of them settled... The river Jacques Cartier crosses the S. diagonally, and is also watered by the Riviere aux Pommes, a pretty winding stream that flows into the former. The timber has been nearly all cleared off, and what remains is very inferior both in kind and value. - Several roads cross this grant and one, intersecting them at right angles, runs from the banks of the St. Lawrence to the Jacques Cartier...
A Topographical Dictionary of The Province of Lower Canada by Joseph Bouchette, Esq., London, 1832

1873
LES ECUREUILS, a post village and river port in Portneuf co., Que., on the north shore of the St. Lawrence, 25 miles above Quebec. Pop. 200.
Lovell's gazetteer of British North America; J. Lovell; Montreal, 1873

1890 - Les Ecureuils
Les Ecureuils, vil. and river port, Quebec, co. Portneuf, and on St Lawrence River, 25 m. above Quebec. P. 700.
The Pocket Atlas and Gazetteer of the Dominion of Canada
John George Bartholomew John Murdoch Harper January 1, 1890 London : J. Walker

1895 - Les Ecureuils
Les Ecureuils, laz A kurui, a post-village and river Port in Portneuf co., Quebec, on the N. shore of the St. Lawrence 25 miles above Quebec. Pop. 200.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

A third paper mill, Donnacona Paper, was built in 1912.
In 1912, the arrival of Donnacona Paper Ltd, known today as the Bowater paper mill, led to rapid urban development and in 1915, the municipality of Donnacona was founded next to the parish of Écureuils.

Note that the New York New Times newspaper was published at the time on paper manufactured by Donnacona Paper Ltd. At the beginning of the 20th century, at the time of the "paper revolution", more than 1,500 men worked in the company's factories with a 48-hour work week.
grandquebec.com

The Canadian Encyclopedia

1916
Les Ecureuils, a post-village of Portneuf co., Quebec, on the N. shore of the St. Lawrence, 16 miles above Quebec Pop. 100.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

1917 - Église de Sainte-Agnès established at Donnacona

www.gcatholic.org

It was in 1967 that the municipality of Les Écureuils and the municipality of Donnacona merged to form the new town of Donnacona.

grandquebec.com

Donnacona
Donnacona, Qué, Town, pop 5564 (206c), 5479 (2001c), inc 1920. Donnacona is about 40 km west of QUÉBEC CITY where Rivière Jacques-Cartier flows into the St Lawrence River.

History
Donnacona had its beginning in 1700 with the building of a paper mill at a site along the river called Fond Jacques-Cartier. A second mill was built in 1815 and a third mill, Donnacona Paper, was built in 1912. The site was then part of the municipality of Les Écureuils, however, the owners of Donnacona Paper wanted their own community. In 1915 Donnacona separated from Les Écureuils. The name recalls the Iroquoian chief DONNACONA.

The European demand for paper after World War I and continued world demand during World War II secured the livelihood of Donnacona's residents. The town therefore experienced growth during the residential construction boom of the 1950s and 1960s. In 1967 Les Écureuils and Donnacona were reunited.

Present Day
Donnacona is a regional service centre but paper remains an... Read MORE...

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Donnacona and its surrounding areas:
Parc des Chutes de Donnacona (Donnacona Falls Park):

Start your visit with a trip to Parc des Chutes de Donnacona, where you can admire a picturesque waterfall surrounded by lush greenery. It's an ideal spot for a picnic, taking photos, or simply enjoying nature.

Donnacona Marina:

If you enjoy boating and water activities, head to the Donnacona Marina. You can rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard to explore the Rivière Saint-Laurent (St. Lawrence River).

Le Domaine de la Forêt Perdue (The Lost Forest):

Just a short drive from Donnacona, you'll find Le Domaine de la Forêt Perdue, an adventure park with various activities such as tree-top obstacle courses, zip-lining, and even an escape game. It's great for families and adventure seekers.

Parc de la Plage Jacques-Cartier (Jacques-Cartier Beach Park):

During the summer months, this park is a fantastic place to relax by the river. You can swim, sunbathe, or have a picnic. The park also has walking trails and a... Read MORE...