Roxton Falls, a village municipality nestled in the Acton Regional County Municipality of the Canadian province of Quebec, is a hidden gem with a rich history and stunning natural beauty. As of the 2011 Canada Census, the population was 1,265, making it a quaint and peaceful destination for those seeking a serene getaway.
Roxton Falls is characterized by its unique geographical features. The village is surrounded entirely by the township municipality of Roxton. Despite being legally distinct municipalities with separate elected officials, the administration of both is physically located in the village of Roxton Falls.
The village is highlighted by a split on the Noire River, which surrounds a small island and causes two nine-meter falls. Although the area was mostly marshy in the past, it has been gradually reclaimed by the village's inhabitants since the 1900s.
The history of Roxton Falls dates back to before European activity in the area. It is rumored that Abenaki Indians used the falls as a trade meeting point and possibly even had a camp at the foot of the falls.
In 1792, the government of Lower Canada began creating districts from the lands south of the Saint Laurence and east of the Richelieu River. The area of Roxton was supposedly named after Roxton, Bedfordshire in England. The village at Roxton Falls was initially called Metcalfe, until the municipality of Roxton Falls separated from Roxton.
The area remained mostly uninhabited until 1863 when John Wood, a leather tanner who had moved to the area in 1851, became the first mayor of Roxton Falls. He served as mayor until 1880, succeeded by Joseph Lafontaine.
The village's primary production in the 1860s was leather, specifically sole leather, due to the abundance of Eastern Hemlock, whose bark is used for tanning. Two tanneries, the Shaw and the Wood Tanneries, existed in the village, with the industry mostly dominated by the Shaw Brothers' enterprise.
As the tanning industry began to decline, it was replaced by a sawmill powered by the energy of the falls. This industry, operated by the Larivière family, ran from 1906 to 1986. In the 1920s, hydro-electric power plants were installed on the river under the supervision of "The Roxton Electric Light & Power Co."
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Roxton Falls had a population of 1,322 living in 615 of its 641 total private dwellings. This was a change of 1.3% from its 2016 population of 1,305. With a land area of 4.94 km2 (1.91 sq mi), it had a population density of 267.6/km2 (693.1/sq mi) in 2021.
Roxton Falls, Quebec, is a charming village that offers a unique blend of history and natural beauty. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or just looking for a peaceful getaway, Roxton Falls has something to offer.
