Saint-Alban, a quaint municipality nestled in the Capitale-Nationale region of Quebec, Canada, is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Renowned for its stunning caves, crevices, and rock-climbing walls at the gorge of the Sainte-Anne River, Saint-Alban offers a unique blend of natural beauty and rich history.
The history of Saint-Alban dates back to around 1830 when the first settlers from Saint-Ambroise-de-la-Jeune-Lorette, Deschambault, Grondines, and Sainte-Anne-de-la-Perade began clearing the area. The construction of a mill in 1851 marked the beginning of the village's development.
The parish was founded in 1856, followed by the establishment of the post office in 1857, and the parish municipality in 1860. Originally known as Saint-Alban-d'Alton, the municipality was named after Saint Alban, the first martyr in Britain in the third century. The term 'Alton' refers to its location in the geographic township of Alton, formed in 1841, and named after a town in Hampshire, England.
Saint-Alban is also known for Canada's largest known landslide that occurred on 27 April 1894. Displacing 185 million cubic metres of rock and dirt, it left a 40-metre deep mark that covered 4.6 million square metres.
In January 1918, the village centre separated from the parish municipality and was incorporated as the Village Municipality of Saint-Alban. In 1991, the parish and village municipalities merged again to form the new Municipality of Saint-Alban.
Saint-Alban has seen a steady population growth over the years. The population in 2011 was 1225, marking a 7.6% increase from 2006. The population in 2006 was 1138, slightly less than the 1170 residents in 2001. The population in 1996 was 1159, a slight decrease from the 1176 residents in 1991.
The municipality consists of 764 dwellings, with 552 occupied by usual residents. The mother tongue of the residents is predominantly French, with 100% of the population reporting French as their first language. English, both English and French, and other languages are reported as the first language by 0% of the population.
Explore the charm and history of Saint-Alban, Quebec, and immerse yourself in the unique culture and natural beauty of this captivating municipality.
