Gaspesian Heritage WebMagazine

Fascinating Forillon, Part 1

This is the first part of a series written by Cynthia Dow and published in SPEC in 1995 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Forillon National Park. The series is dedicated to the memory of the late Elwood Dow and his wife Gerty Gavey, uncle and aunt of the author, whose Indian Cove home was expropriated to make way for the Park.

The Big Fish

Image removed.One day on the Gaspé in 1939 a man by the name of Esmond B. Martin caught the largest Atlantic salmon ever taken in North American waters, here on our own river the Grand Cascapedia. Although we take it for granted, this river is considered one of the ten best salmon fishing rivers in the world.

La Martre Lighthouse

Image removed.Erected in 1906 and still operational, this lighthouse has a unique wooden structure. The rotation of the lighting module is still operated by the original clockwork system (cable and weights). Spectacular view from the top of the walkway. Guided visits.

Mots and Phrases of the Gaspé

Image removed.Art Campbell was a highly respected teacher and community member. He retired from Bishops’ in 1983 and returned to Grand Cascapedia where he would write this humorous and heart-warming makeshift dictionary, a real Gaspesian treasure. The book appeals to those lucky enough to have been born in the Gaspe, and to those “from away”.

Little Chief of the Gaspé

Image removed.A book for young readers, Little Chief of the Gaspé is the story of eleven-year-old Jacques Cartier LeGrand and “Little Chief” which was given to one of Jacques ancestors by an Indigenous chief as a gift of friendship, passed on from father to son throughout the years. The figurine came to Jacques at a time when Jacques’ father had been lost in a storm at sea.