Saint-Élie-de-Caxton, a charming municipality nestled in the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada, is a destination that offers a unique blend of history and natural beauty. This quaint community, once known simply as Saint-Élie until January 15, 2005, is located in the foothills of the Laurentian Mountains and is dotted with picturesque lakes.
The territory of Saint-Élie-de-Caxton is home to several prominent lakes including Des Souris, Goulet, and Grand Long Lakes. These bodies of water are densely lined with summer cottages, making them a popular destination for both locals and tourists seeking a tranquil escape.
Adding to the charm of Saint-Élie-de-Caxton is its cultural significance. The municipality is the birthplace of renowned storyteller and musician Fred Pellerin, who has immortalized the community in many of his published stories.
The history of Saint-Élie-de-Caxton dates back to 1795 when the area was identified as Caxton Township on the Gale and Duberger Map. Named after an English village situated about 15 kilometers from Cambridge, it was officially formed as a geographic township in 1839.
Colonization of Caxton Township was delayed due to land allocation issues. By 1863, it had only 30 families. However, in 1865, the Parish and the Parish Municipality of Saint-Élie was formed, named after Joseph-Élie-Sylvestre Sirois-Duplessis, a parish priest of several communities and one of the first priests of Saint-Élie.
In 1872, the Saint-Élie post office opened, marking a significant milestone in the community's development. On December 31, 2001, Saint-Élie was transferred from the Centre-de-la-Mauricie RCM to the Maskinongé RCM, following the formation of the new City of Shawinigan and the dissolution of the Centre-de-la-Mauricie RCM. On January 15, 2005, the Parish Municipality of Saint-Élie became the Municipality of Saint-Élie-de-Caxton.
The population of Saint-Élie-de-Caxton has seen a steady increase over the years. From 1382 residents in 1991, the population grew to 1455 in 1996, 1541 in 2001, and remained stable at 1676 from 2006 to 2011. The community comprises 766 private dwellings occupied by usual residents out of a total of 1130 dwellings.
In terms of language, French is the predominant mother tongue, spoken by 95.5% of the population. English is the first language for 3.0% of the residents, while 1.5% speak other languages. No residents reported speaking both English and French as their first language.
