regional overview COATICOOK RIVER VALLEY
Waterville
P C-3
2,176 inhabitants
East Hereford
East Hereford
P D-3
275 inhabitants
The enchanting setting of East Hereford and its proximity to the American border made this a popular crossing site for the Abenakis, the Loyalists, the French Canadians, and even the smugglers who forged its history. In the heart of the Appalachians, Forêt communautaire Hereford, featuring Mount Hereford (875 metres); Donat Falls, accessible from the NeilTillotson Trail; and the Circuits Frontières mountain bike trails, attracts outdoor enthusiasts. The tourist offer also includes the Sapins et Merveilles balsam fir interpretation centre and the Piscicole des Bobines fish farm, offering delectable cold-smoked trout under the Créateur de Saveurs label.
The charm of Waterville, founded in 1876 by families of British and American origin, stems from its New England influence. It also has a surprisingly dynamic industrial sector. Of note is the presence of the internationally renowned company, Waterville T.G., specialized in the manufacture of car parts. The municipality features not only beautiful ancestral houses in the heart of town, but also a new, richly illustrated historical route, Waterville et son Patrimoine, enabling visitors to discover the soul and history of the village. In the hamlet of Milby, a stop on the Townships Trail, you can admire the covered bridge, the Huntingville Mill, the Universalist Church, Little Hyatt School (1822), and St. Barnabas Church. The Camping du Pont Couvert campground nearby welcomes outdoor enthusiasts. At the traffic circle on routes 143 and 147, the Beaulieu farm’s market, with Créateur de Saveurs designation, is perfect for a tasty stop. Milby’s golf course is among Quebec’s oldest links. Please consult easterntownships.org for information on the following towns and villages: Dixville, Martinville, Saint-Herménégilde, Saint-Malo, SainteEdwidge-de-Clifton, and Stanstead-Est.
Saint-Venant-de-Paquette P D-3 100 inhabitants
The municipality of Saint-Venant-de-Paquette, nestled in a tiny valley in the heart of the Appalachians, looks towards New Hampshire. In addition to having the very first Caisse populaire Desjardins ever established in rural North America (1907), this small village is proud of its church museum (1877), which has retained its architecture and original interior finishings in varnished wood as well as its angelic acoustics, whose architecture and original interior finish in varnished wood have been preserved. The Maison de l’Arbre, with its exhibit on trees, and the Sentier Poétique, a 3-km poetry-themed walking trail, enliven the area and merit a visit to this charming village with breathtaking panoramic views. The Pioneer Trail stops here to pay tribute to Hermine Malouin-Lefebvre (1841-1941), a centenarian who was an early settler in this area. 84 easterntownships.org
Saint-Venant-de-Paquette
Waterville
Photo credits: Martin Lortz; Mathieu Dupuis