History of Thetford Mines, Québec, Canada

Thetford Mines: Situated in the Chaudière-Appalaches region, Thetford Mines is known for its history as a center of asbestos mining. The town has diversified its economy and now offers a mix of cultural activities, recreational opportunities, and beautiful natural landscapes.

The discovery of Thetford Mines’ asbestos deposit in 1876 is usually attributed to local resident Joseph Fecteau. Having taken a break from cutting hay to pick blueberries, Fecteau spotted a strange, greenish rock. He scraped some fibres from the rock with his fingernail and showed the substance to a visiting fur trader named Roger Ward. Ward had samples of the fibres analyzed and confirmed it was the mineral asbestos.

In 1877, Ward bought property and mining rights in the village. Mining companies began production later that year. In 1879, the arrival of the railway made it possible to transport the mineral in larger quantities and more quickly to Lévis, Quebec. The village incorporated as Kingsville (named after William King, an important mine owner) in 1892. It grew rapidly as the mines attracted people from other areas. Kingsville was incorporated as a city and renamed Thetford Mines in 1905. thecanadianencyclopedia.ca