“When a man throws an empty cigarette package from an automobile
he is liable for a fine of 50 $. When a man throws a billboard across a view,
he is richly rewarded”
Pat Brown, ex-gouverneur de la Californie
Le lac Memphrémagog, l'un des joyaux des Cantons-de-l'Est. Dérivé d'un mot abénaquis, d'après la tradition, pour "Belles eaux" ou moins romantiquement, "À la grande étendue d'eau", le lac Memphrémagog présente certains des panoramas les plus impressionnants dans la région.
Nature attracts thousands of people to the Townships every year. And an increasing number of groups are putting their efforts into making sure some of that pristine nature remains intact.
The people of Potton certainly remember Potton Springs, named after the three little sulphur springs that made the place famous for over a hundred years. According to legend, Nathan Banfill, age 14, discovered the springs while out working in a field at the base of Pevee Mountain.
The Eastern Townships are renowned both for their scenic beauty and for their picturesque, historic villages.
Today, former railway beds in many parts of the Eastern Townships are being converted to a new use: cycling and walking trails. The rails to trails movement has created a whole new natural, tourist, and recreational attraction in the region.
EVERY SECOND CROSSROAD
The Eastern Townships were once dotted with rural schoolhouses. One has only to look at early maps of the area to see that virtually every neighbourhood had one. The typical one-room schoolhouse could be found every mile or two, or at nearly every second crossroad.
The Victorians were famous for their eclectic architecture. Fashion changed dramatically throughout the period (1837-1901), which saw the adoption, one after another, of a succession of architectural styles from earlier periods in European history.
Most of the oldest villages in the Eastern Townships owe their start to the presence of a mill. Sherbrooke (Hyatt's Mills), Cowansville (Ruiter's Mills), and Rock Island (Kilborn's Mills) are a few that come to mind.
Round barns were at one time scattered all across the southern part of the Eastern Townships. In fact, in Quebec, they were almost totally confined to this region. Unfortunately there are only a handful left. Dating in most cases to the early 20th century, they represent an important part of our architectural heritage.