Québec National Parks, one of the three magnificent Sépaq Networks

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	Conservation Mission

History

The colonization of Pointe Taillon is an important episode of our history. For some forty years, between 1890 and 1930, farmers settled on Pointe Taillon. The first pioneer of Pointe Savane (as Pointe Taillon was then called) was Joseph Larouche. In 1916, the municipality of Bienheureuse-Jeanne-D'Arc was established, and by 1925 it had a population of 52 families, or a total of 307 individuals. There were three schools, a cheese dairy and a sawmill. A large agricultural estate was established in the area of Île Bouliane; it was the property of Paul-Augustin Normand, of French origin, who apparently employed more than 125 individuals to clear the land. This Pointe Taillon estate was equipped with tools that were modern for the period, and won awards at provincial agricultural shows.

Lac Saint-Jean was converted into a hydroelectric reservoir in 1926. The 52 families residing on Pointe Taillon were forced to leave when the floodgates of the new Isle-Maligne hydroelectric dam were opened, causing extensive flooding. After the company Alcan purchased these lands, it undertook a reforestation program, from 1948 to 1956.

In 1977, the Québec government acquired the land, and created Pointe Taillon conservation park in 1985.

Origins of the Name "Pointe Taillon"

The point was named in honor of Louis-Olivier Taillon (1840-1923), a lawyer by profession, who entered the political arena as a Conservative Member of Parliament in 1875. He was Speaker of the House, Solicitor General, Premier of Québec in 1887 (for 4 days), Leader of the Opposition, and Premier for a second time from 1892 to 1896.