Duparquet, Quebec, is a charming town nestled in the northwestern part of Quebec, Canada, within the MRC d'Abitibi-Ouest. Covering an area of 157.4 km2 (60.8 sq mi), this quaint ville is home to a population of 716, according to the Canada 2021 Census.
The history of Duparquet, Quebec, dates back to 1912 when a prospector named Beattie discovered a rich gold vein near Lake Duparquet. This discovery led to the establishment of the Beattie Gold Mine company, which began operations in 1933.
In the same year, the burgeoning community around the mine was incorporated as Ville de Duparquet. The town was named after the geographic township where it is located, which was named in honor of Jean-Annet Chabreuil Du Parquet, a grenadier captain of the La Sarre Regiment, part of General Montcalm's army.
The mine, after producing 1 million ounces of gold and witnessing the unfortunate death of at least 27 miners, including 4 in a landslide on 9 July 1946, ceased operations in 1956. However, the current owners of the mining rights are contemplating reopening it as an open-pit mine.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Duparquet, Quebec, had a population of 716 living in 342 of its 389 total private dwellings. This represented a 7.5% increase from its 2016 population of 666. With a land area of 121.17 km2 (46.78 sq mi), Duparquet had a population density of 5.9/km2 (15.3/sq mi) in 2021.
The linguistic composition of Duparquet, Quebec, as of the 2016 census, was as follows:
Duparquet, Quebec, with its rich history and welcoming community, is a must-visit destination for those seeking to explore the unique charm of northwestern Quebec.
