Shawinigan


Shawinigan is a city located on the Saint-Maurice River in the Mauricie area in Quebec, Canada. It had a population of 50,060 as of the Canada 2011 Census.
Shawinigan is also a territory equivalent to a regional county municipality and census division of Quebec, coextensive with the city of Shawinigan. Its geographical code is 36. Shawinigan is the seat of the judicial district of Saint-Maurice.
The name Shawinigan has had numerous spellings over time: Chaouinigane, Oshaouinigane, Assaouinigane, Achawénégan, Chawinigame, Shawenigane, Chaouénigane. It may mean "south portage", "portage of beeches", "angular portage", or "summit" or "crest". Before 1958, the city was known as Shawinigan Falls.

History

In 1651, the Jesuit priest Buteaux was the first European known to have travelled up the Saint-Maurice River to this river's first set of great falls. Afterwards, missionaries going to the Upper Saint-Maurice would rest here. Before Shawinigan Falls was established, the local economy had been largely based on lumber and agriculture.

Boomtown

In the late 1890s, Shawinigan Falls drew the interest of foreign entrepreneurs such as John Joyce and John Edward Aldred of the Shawinigan Water & Power Company, and of Hubert Biermans of the Belgo Canadian Pulp & Paper Company because of its particular geographic situation. Its falls had the potential to become a favorable location for the production of hydroelectricity.
In 1899, the SW&P commissioned Montreal engineering firm Pringle and Son to design a grid plan for a new industrial town on the banks of the Saint-Maurice River, providing the ground work for what would become Downtown Shawinigan.
In 1901, the place was incorporated as the Village Municipality of Shawinigan Falls and gained town status a year later in 1902. The hydro-electric generating station contributed to rapid economic growth and the town achieved several firsts in Canadian history: first production of aluminum, carborundum, cellophane pellets. Shawinigan Falls also became one of the first Canadian cities with electric street lighting.

Urban Growth

For decades, the local pulp and paper, chemical and textile industries created thousands of jobs and stimulated city growth.
Urban development steadily increased in Downtown Shawinigan. By 1921, this sector was densely filled with commercial buildings on Fourth and Fifth street, as well as Station Avenue, one-family residences along the Riverside corridor and multi-story tenements elsewhere.
The Olmsted Brothers design firm was hired by the city to implement a beautification program. By the late 1920s, Downtown Shawinigan was home to a public market, a fire station, a technical school, several church buildings and two landscaped public parks, including the St. Maurice Park.
Many of the opulent uphill homes located in the somewhat secluded areas of Maple Street and Hemlock Avenue were occupied by more affluent people, many of whom happened to belong to the once vibrant English-speaking community, which at times comprised more than 30% of the local population.
As industrial plants began operation eastward and northward, neighbourhoods were established in Uptown Shawinigan. The emergence of these new districts was defined by and intertwined with the parish structure of the Roman Catholic Church. The Saint-Marc neighbourhood, originally known as Village St-Onge, was annexed in 1902, extending the city limits to Dufresne Street. The uptown presence of the Canadian Carborundum and Alcan no. 2 plants favoured the foundation the Christ-Roi neighbourhood, which was annexed in 1925 extending the city limits to St-Sacrement Boulevard. The land now occupied by the section of town currently known as Shawinigan-Est was annexed in 1932.
Uptown Shawinigan had its own fire station by 1922 and its own landscaped public park and swimming pool by 1940.
Westside near the Shawinigan River, the existence of the pulp and paper Belgo plant attracted enough residents to form a small, yet stable independent urban community called Baie-de-Shawinigan.
Across the St-Maurice River, Shawinigan-Sud maintained home-rule and developed as a residential hub.

Great Depression

Local prosperity was interrupted by the Great Depression in the 1930s. Many plants were forced to temporarily reduce or stop their production, which left many residents jobless. Many families needed public assistance to survive. The City Council enacted a public works program to help families.
The promenade along the St Maurice was a make work project during the depression.

World War II

put Shawinigan Falls, and many others cities in Canada, back on the path of economic recovery.
During hostilities, the windows of local power plants were painted black to prevent any possible German aerial attack.
The Shawinigan-based 81st Artillery Battery was called to active duty during World War II. Its members were trained in Ontario and the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1944 and contributed to the Allies' effort in the Normandy Landings in 1944-45, which led to the Liberation of France.
In 1948, a cenotaph, known as Monument des Braves, was erected in downtown Shawinigan at the intersection of Fourth Street and Promenade du Saint-Maurice near the Saint-Maurice River, in honour of soldiers who died during that conflict as well as World War I.

Rise of the working class

By the early 1950s, the industrial growth in Shawinigan was such that the city offered the steadiest employment and the highest wages in Quebec. Due to this advantageous position, Shawinigan became a hot bed for organized labor and bargaining power. The rise of its working class also favored the presence of numerous independently-owned taverns.

Labor unions

As its working class gained economic ground and political leverage, Shawinigan became fertile ground for labor unions. The workers of the Belgo pulp and paper plant went on strike in 1955. In the 1952 provincial election, Shawinigan sent a Liberal member to the legislature. The gesture was largely considered an affront to Premier Maurice Duplessis, who responded by refusing to approve the construction of a new bridge between Shawinigan and Shawinigan-Sud. The new bridge was not built until after the Liberal Party won the 1960 election. It was completed on September 2, 1962.

Taverns

In the 1950s, a number of taverns provided a male-only social environment for industrial workers. They were mostly concentrated in Downtown Shawinigan, as well as in the Saint-Marc neighbourhood, as Shawinigan-Sud remained a dry town until 1961, and included the following venues:
NameAlso Known AsAddressNeighbourhoodCurrent Status
Au Pied du Courant1885, avenue Saint-MarcSaint-Marcdemolished
Chez BobChez Maxime413, avenue MercierSaint-Pierreout of business
Chez CamilleChez Armand, Taverne Station902, avenue de la StationSaint-Pierredemolished
Chez FrançoisTaverne Bellevue, Cabaret La Vie est Belle2991, boulevard des HêtresSainte-Croixstill in business
Chez GeorgesBar Le Transit2172, avenue CloutierSaint-Marcout of business
Chez Jos482, 5e rueSaint-Pierredemolished
Chez Léo820, 4e rueSaint-Pierreout of business
Chez MauriceJos Bar Terrasse666, 5e rueSaint-Pierrestill in business
Chez Paul 303, avenue TamaracSaint-Bernardout of business
Chez Paul Au Gobelet403, avenue TamaracSaint-Pierreburned down
Chez Rosaire763, rue LambertSaint-Marcstill in business
Corvette822, rue TrudelSaint-Marcburned down in 1973
Taverne LalibertéTaverne des Expos, Bar de l’Énergie1572, avenue Saint-MarcSaint-Marcstill in business
Taverne Moderne2282, avenue Saint-MarcSaint-Marcstill in business
Taverne des SportsClub Social382, 5e rueSaint-Pierredemolished

In 1951, the local tavern keepers formed a business association.
In 1981, the provincial government enacted a law that gave women access to most taverns. By 1986, women had already been admitted in most taverns.
While a handful of local taverns evolved into bistros or restaurants, most of them did not survive the industrial decline that characterized the last third of the 20th Century.

Decline

In the 1950s, Shawinigan Falls entered a period of decline that would last for several decades. Technological improvements made industries less dependent on Shawinigan's geographic location. Therefore, many employers would relocate to nearby larger cities or close down.
In 1958, it received city status, and its name was abbreviated to just Shawinigan.
As a reaction to declining opportunities, many residents, many of whom were English-speakers, left the area. Shawinigan High School is the only remaining English-language school in the city following the closure of St. Patrick's. Shawinigan's last English-language newspaper, the Shawinigan Standard, ceased publication at the end of 1970.
In 1963, the provincial government of Jean Lesage nationalized eleven privately owned electricity companies, including SW&P. While benefiting the population in general, the decision may have been damaging to local interests.

Emerging hospitality industry

Traditionally, Shawinigan has been home to a number of hotels and inns, including the following:
NameAlso Known AsAddressNeighbourhoodYear CompletedCurrent Status
Cascade Inn695, 7e rueSaint-Pierre1901burned down in 1986
Château de la MauricieHôtel La Mauricie822, rue TrudelSaint-Marcburned down in 1973
Château Turcotte1000, avenue MelvilleSaint-Pierre1858burned down in 1878
De LasalleHôtel Central,
Grand Central		590, 3e rueSaint-Paul, Grand-Mèredamaged by fire in 2012,
out of business
Des ChutesRiverside856, 4e rueSaint-Pierreburned down in 1992
Dufresne702, 4e rueSaint-Pierre1905in business until 1914,
later demolished
Escapade3383, rue GarnierSaint-Charles-Garnier1977out of business - 2017
Gouverneur100, promenade du Saint-MauriceSaint-Pierre1998still in business
Grand-Mère InnLaurentide Inn10, 6e avenueSaint-Paul, Grand-Mère1897burned down in 2004,
demolished in 2010
La Rocaille1851, 5e avenueSaint-Jean-Baptiste, Grand-Mèrestill in business
Laviolette1608, avenue Saint-MarcSaint-Marcdemolished
Royal693, 4e rueSaint-Bernard1901demolished
Shawinigan HotelHôtel Racine602, 5e rueSaint-Pierre1903burned down in 1990
VendômeNew Vendôme943, avenue CascadeSaint-Pierrecirca 1908burned down in 1958
Windsor1787, avenue ChamplainSaint-Marc1905in business until the 1930s,
later demolished

In order to offset the decline of the heavy industry, leaders have promoted the expansion of the local hospitality industry. The most notable example of that initiative is the establishment of La Cité de l'Énergie, a theme park based on local industrial history, with a observation tower. Since it opened in 1997, it has attracted thousands of visitors to the area. It currently hosts bus tours and cruises, as well as entertainment shows and interactive exhibits. Since 2012, it is also home to the Museum of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, a venue similar to those operated by the U.S. Presidential library system and which focuses on the gifts received by the former Prime Minister of Canada during his official duties.

Mergers

In 1998, Shawinigan merged with the Village Municipality of Baie-de-Shawinigan.
On January 1, 2002, Shawinigan amalgamated with much of the Regional County Municipality of Le Centre-de-la-Mauricie. The following municipalities were part of the merger:
MunicipalityYear of FoundationPopulation
Shawinigan190118,678
Grand-Mère189814,223
Shawinigan-Sud191211,804
Saint-Georges-de-Champlain19153,929
Lac-à-la-Tortue18953,169
Saint-Gérard-des-Laurentides19242,155
Saint-Jean-des-Piles1897693

Geography

Climate

Shawinigan has a humid continental climate with cold and snowy winter coupled with mild to warm summers. Precipitation is moderate to high year round, resulting in heavy winter snowfall, typical of Eastern Canada.

Sport

The Shawinigan Cataractes of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League play out of the Centre Gervais Auto in Shawinigan. It is the only team in the league still operating in the same city of its founding. It played host to the 2012 Memorial Cup hockey tournament and won the Championship, defeating the London Knights in the final.

Economy and industry

In recent years, the church attendance of Catholics in Shawinigan has been on the decline. As a result, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trois-Rivières has had difficulties maintaining its churches and merged a number of its parishes. The Catholic churches are:
ChurchLocationYear of foundationStatus
Saint-Pierre '792, avenue Hemlock1901active
Saint-Marc '1895, avenue Champlain1911active
Sacré-Cœur '17, rue de l'Église,
Baie-de-Shawinigan		1911active
Saint-Bernard '562, 3e Rue1912inactive
closed in 2005
Christ-Roi '1250, rue Notre-Dame1938inactive
closed in 1994
demolished in 2002
Sainte-Croix '2153, rue Gignac1949inactive
closed in 2004
Saint-Charles-Garnier '2173, avenue De la Madone1949active
Immaculate Heart of Mary Mission
'		773, avenue de la Station1949inactive
closed in 1990
L’Assomption '4393, boulevard Des Hêtres1951active
Desserte Sainte Hélène '2350, 93e Rue1967inactive
closed

The current church building for Saint-Pierre was constructed between 1908 and 1937. The structure's stained glass was designed by Italian Canadian artist Guido Nincheri between 1930 and 1961.

Education

There are eight public schools. Seven of them are under the supervision of the Commission scolaire de l'Énergie school board.
SchoolLevelLocationNumber of students
Carrefour Formation MauricieVocational education5105, avenue Albert-Tessier808
Centre d'éducation des adultes du Saint-MauriceAdult education1092, rue Trudel1,353
École secondaire des ChutesSecondary5285, avenue Albert-Tessier714
Immaculée-Conception 'Elementary153, 8e Rue220
Saint-Charles-Garnier 'Elementary2265, rue Laflèche157
Saint-Jacques 'Elementary2015, rue Saint-Jacques220
Saint-Joseph 'Elementary1452, rue Châteauguay155

Children who meet Charter of the French Language requirements for instruction in English can attend Shawinigan High School. Its campus is located at 1125, rue des Cèdres and is operated by the Central Québec School Board.
Shawinigan is also home of the Séminaire Sainte-Marie, a private institution that provides the secondary curriculum and of the Collège Shawinigan: a CEGEP whose main campus is located at 2263 Avenue du Collège;

Transportation

Many of the oldest streets of Shawinigan were numbered, like the streets of Manhattan, New York. Similarly, Avenue Broadway was named after the famous Manhattan thoroughfare.
Several other streets and avenues were named to honour famous people, including: