Magog, Quebec, is a city nestled in southeastern Canada, approximately 120 kilometres east of Montreal. This city, named after the confluence of Lake Memphremagog, the Rivière aux Cerises, and the Magog River, is a significant centre in the Regional County Municipality of Memphremagog. It's also a part of the Eastern Townships tourist region, making it a must-visit destination for history buffs and nature lovers alike.
The name 'Magog' has intriguing origins. 'Memphremagog', from which 'Magog' is believed to be truncated, comes from the Abenaki word 'mamhlawbagak', meaning 'large expanse of water' or 'vast lake'. Alternatively, 'Magog' could also derive from 'namagok' and 'namagwôttik', translating to 'the lake where there is brook trout'. Some theories suggest biblical origins in 'Gog and Magog', or reference to an ancient city of the same name.
The Abenaki were the first to inhabit the Magog region, frequently visiting the Memphremagog and its waterways. White settlement began in 1776 when Loyalists emigrated from nearby Vermont, naming the area 'The Outlet' due to the water flow from the lake into the Magog River.
Ralph Merry, an American Revolutionary who immigrated to Lower Canada in 1799, is considered the founding father of Magog. He bought all the neighbouring lots, including The Outlet village, and served as its mayor, judge, and developer. In 1821, he built a house, which is the oldest standing house in the city. The city was formally named Magog in 1855.
The city's economy was dominated by the textile industry, particularly a cotton mill operated by Dominion Textile, from the end of the 19th century and throughout the 20th. It was only in the 1960s and 1970s that the city's economy diversified through tourism, services, and the development of an industrial park. In 2002, the City of Magog merged with the Township of Magog and the Village of Omerville as part of the municipal reorganization in Quebec.
Magog, Quebec, is located at the confluence of Lake Memphremagog, the Rivière aux Cerises, and the Magog River. It's also in close proximity, 35 km, to the Derby Line–Stanstead border crossing station at the Canada-United States border.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Magog had a population of 28,312 living in 13,439 of its 15,009 total private dwellings. This was an increase of 6.2% from its 2016 population of 26,669. With a land area of 144.26 km2, it had a population density of 196.3/km2 in 2021. The city merged with the Township of Magog and the Village of Omerville on October 9, 2002.
