Much interest<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMainly from New England States, pioneers settled close to the American border, in the Townships of Stanstead, Barnston, Barford and Hereford. In contrast with other regions\u2019 settlements, they did not come for political reasons as did the Loyalists, but rather to take advantage of fertile and available lots. They brought their culture, their language, their lifestyle, their agriculture and their religion. Today, traces from this era are still present throughout houses, cemeteries, village core and several Protestant churches built in the 19th<\/sup> century. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.tourismecoaticook.ca\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/barnston-ouest.jpg\")
Barnston-West, Eastern Township<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn other cases, lands were assigned to immigrants from Great Britain, drawn by the British American Land Company publicity campaigns, designed to encourage British immigration to the Eastern Townships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Entrepreneurial spirit<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSectors close to main watercourses develop rapidly. Those close to Coaticook and Moe rivers see mills and other functional facilities being erected, also due to hydraulic power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sectors crossing the railroad are booming. As early as 1953, the construction of the railroad linking Montreal to Portland, Maine, favors their development at the expense of further sectors. This is how Coaticook grows faster than Barnston Corner, a commercial sector until then. For this reason, as well as for hydro-electricity, Coaticook and Waterville benefit from an important industrial boom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To find out more about the figures who were instrumental to the community’s development, follow The Pioneers<\/a>\u2019 Trail where they relate their role in history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.tourismecoaticook.ca\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Pionnier.jpg\")
Pioneers’ Trail, MRC of Coaticook, Eastern Township<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe birth of a territory<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAround 1850,\nwhen British and American immigration subsides, French-Canadians from Beauce\nstart out on the railroad to settle in Eastern Townships. Several Catholic\nparishes are created, namely Sainte-Edwidge-de-Clifton, Saint-Malo and Saint-Venant-de-Paquette.\nThe population doubles in all eight townships by the mid-19th<\/sup>\ncentury.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis is particularly striking in the municipality of de Saint-Venant-de-Paquette, Township of Hereford. Mass arrival of Beaucerons is a consequence of allocation of land by Flavien Paquette, who, as early as 1861, sells them for a small amount, providing they clear the land. The parish is founded a year later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several municipalities are created as early as 1860. For example, Coaticook will officially become a municipality in 1864. Dixville, once Drew\u2019s Mills, incorporates in 1874. Waterville will follow in 1876, Compton in1893 and Saint-Herm\u00e9n\u00e9gilde, in 1903.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Agriculture being the central economic activity on the territory, Coaticook and Compton stand out for their industrial character after the railroad was built. Today, all municipalities have kept their rural aspect, although Coaticook, as much as Compton and Waterville are considered partially urban.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.tourismecoaticook.ca\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/centre-ville.jpg\")
Downtown, Coaticook, Eastern Township<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nA winning formula<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe Coaticook River Valley is located 150 km east of Montreal and 250 km south of Quebec City. Close to Sherbrooke, Magog and the American border, it still distinguishes itself by its agriculture and bucolic landscapes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.tourismecoaticook.ca\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/agriculture-et-paysages.jpg\")
MRC of Coaticook, Eastern Township<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
In other cases, lands were assigned to immigrants from Great Britain, drawn by the British American Land Company publicity campaigns, designed to encourage British immigration to the Eastern Townships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Entrepreneurial spirit<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSectors close to main watercourses develop rapidly. Those close to Coaticook and Moe rivers see mills and other functional facilities being erected, also due to hydraulic power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sectors crossing the railroad are booming. As early as 1953, the construction of the railroad linking Montreal to Portland, Maine, favors their development at the expense of further sectors. This is how Coaticook grows faster than Barnston Corner, a commercial sector until then. For this reason, as well as for hydro-electricity, Coaticook and Waterville benefit from an important industrial boom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To find out more about the figures who were instrumental to the community’s development, follow The Pioneers<\/a>\u2019 Trail where they relate their role in history.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPioneers’ Trail, MRC of Coaticook, Eastern Township<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe birth of a territory<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAround 1850,\nwhen British and American immigration subsides, French-Canadians from Beauce\nstart out on the railroad to settle in Eastern Townships. Several Catholic\nparishes are created, namely Sainte-Edwidge-de-Clifton, Saint-Malo and Saint-Venant-de-Paquette.\nThe population doubles in all eight townships by the mid-19th<\/sup>\ncentury.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis is particularly striking in the municipality of de Saint-Venant-de-Paquette, Township of Hereford. Mass arrival of Beaucerons is a consequence of allocation of land by Flavien Paquette, who, as early as 1861, sells them for a small amount, providing they clear the land. The parish is founded a year later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several municipalities are created as early as 1860. For example, Coaticook will officially become a municipality in 1864. Dixville, once Drew\u2019s Mills, incorporates in 1874. Waterville will follow in 1876, Compton in1893 and Saint-Herm\u00e9n\u00e9gilde, in 1903.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Agriculture being the central economic activity on the territory, Coaticook and Compton stand out for their industrial character after the railroad was built. Today, all municipalities have kept their rural aspect, although Coaticook, as much as Compton and Waterville are considered partially urban.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDowntown, Coaticook, Eastern Township<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nA winning formula<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe Coaticook River Valley is located 150 km east of Montreal and 250 km south of Quebec City. Close to Sherbrooke, Magog and the American border, it still distinguishes itself by its agriculture and bucolic landscapes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMRC of Coaticook, Eastern Township<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The birth of a territory<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAround 1850,\nwhen British and American immigration subsides, French-Canadians from Beauce\nstart out on the railroad to settle in Eastern Townships. Several Catholic\nparishes are created, namely Sainte-Edwidge-de-Clifton, Saint-Malo and Saint-Venant-de-Paquette.\nThe population doubles in all eight townships by the mid-19th<\/sup>\ncentury.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis is particularly striking in the municipality of de Saint-Venant-de-Paquette, Township of Hereford. Mass arrival of Beaucerons is a consequence of allocation of land by Flavien Paquette, who, as early as 1861, sells them for a small amount, providing they clear the land. The parish is founded a year later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several municipalities are created as early as 1860. For example, Coaticook will officially become a municipality in 1864. Dixville, once Drew\u2019s Mills, incorporates in 1874. Waterville will follow in 1876, Compton in1893 and Saint-Herm\u00e9n\u00e9gilde, in 1903.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Agriculture being the central economic activity on the territory, Coaticook and Compton stand out for their industrial character after the railroad was built. Today, all municipalities have kept their rural aspect, although Coaticook, as much as Compton and Waterville are considered partially urban.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDowntown, Coaticook, Eastern Township<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nA winning formula<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe Coaticook River Valley is located 150 km east of Montreal and 250 km south of Quebec City. Close to Sherbrooke, Magog and the American border, it still distinguishes itself by its agriculture and bucolic landscapes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMRC of Coaticook, Eastern Township<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
This is particularly striking in the municipality of de Saint-Venant-de-Paquette, Township of Hereford. Mass arrival of Beaucerons is a consequence of allocation of land by Flavien Paquette, who, as early as 1861, sells them for a small amount, providing they clear the land. The parish is founded a year later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several municipalities are created as early as 1860. For example, Coaticook will officially become a municipality in 1864. Dixville, once Drew\u2019s Mills, incorporates in 1874. Waterville will follow in 1876, Compton in1893 and Saint-Herm\u00e9n\u00e9gilde, in 1903.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Agriculture being the central economic activity on the territory, Coaticook and Compton stand out for their industrial character after the railroad was built. Today, all municipalities have kept their rural aspect, although Coaticook, as much as Compton and Waterville are considered partially urban.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Coaticook River Valley is located 150 km east of Montreal and 250 km south of Quebec City. Close to Sherbrooke, Magog and the American border, it still distinguishes itself by its agriculture and bucolic landscapes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nA winning formula<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.tourismecoaticook.ca\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/parc.jpg\")