Val Gagné, Ontario, is a charming unincorporated rural community nestled in the township of Black River-Matheson, Cochrane District. Located just 1.5 km east of Highway 11, between Matheson and Iroquois Falls, this community has a rich history and a vibrant community spirit.
The history of Val Gagné, Ontario, dates back to the early 20th century when the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway constructed a line through the area between 1906 and 1909. Shortly after, a Catholic clergyman named Bourassa began settling families from the nearby province of Quebec at two locations along the line, Ramore and Nushka, now known as Val Gagné.
Under the church's guidance, the settlers established farms around Nushka. In 1911, the Church of the Immaculate Conception was founded in Nushka, along with a school. The same year, a post office, "Nushka Station," opened. The early settlement had a creamery, a store, about 20 frame houses, and a temporary railway station made of a boxcar fitted with a platform. The influence of the church made Nushka "something of a spiritual centre...more of an extension of northern Quebec than of Ontario".
On July 29, 1916, a large forest fire reached Nushka. The settlement's priest, Wilfred Gagné, had just arrived in Nushka by train following a clerical retreat. Despite the train conductor's advice to stay on the train, Gagné led 35 people to the railway line and returned to the burning town to save 28 others. Tragically, within a few hours, both groups had either burned to death or been suffocated. The lone survivor was a man who used moist clay to filter the smoke. Nushka was completely destroyed, leaving only eight inhabitants.
In honour of Gagné's heroic efforts, the town was rebuilt and renamed Val Gagné. A monument dedicated to Gagné was erected in the Val Gagné Cemetery.
The Val Gagné post office closed in 1980, but the community continued to thrive. The Church of the Immaculate Conception still functions in Val Gagné, serving as a testament to the town's resilience and faith.
Today, Val Gagné, Ontario, boasts an outdoor skating rink, a ball park, a community hall, a senior's housing facility, a fire department, and a Caisse Populaire credit union. The township of Black River-Matheson operates a bi-monthly transportation service to take Val Gagné residents shopping in Timmins.
Val Gagné, Ontario, is a testament to the resilience and spirit of rural Canadian communities. Its rich history and vibrant community make it a must-visit destination for those seeking to explore the heart of Ontario.
