Current Research

With an economy originally based on the exploitation of natural resources, no one will be surprised to learn that agriculture and forestry served to ensure the subsistence of the first settlers on the territory of Rawdon and provide them with adequate homes. The first ranges of the township of Rawdon (now on the territory belonging to Saint-Liguori and Sainte-Julienne) are located on the fertile lands suitable for agriculture of the St. Lawrence plain. The four rivers that cross the territory and the Laurentian forests that begin at the third and fourth ranges quickly led the first residents to build a sawmill and then a flour mill there. These forest and water resources subsequently gave rise to a significant forest industry, characterized by many sawmills, with Rawdon reportedly having more than ten of them. At the turn of the 20th century, these waterways allowed for the development of a hydroelectric plant on the Ouareau River. This plant provided enough electrical energy to power the territory of Rawdon and the surrounding municipalities. Afterwards, the availability of electric power, the development of more and more efficient means of transportation and the natural attractions of Rawdon contributed to strengthening the industrial sector and developing tourism. From the first sawmills, industry grew to include residential construction and became more diversified to meet the needs of the booming tourism sector. With its recreational tourism infrastructure, retail businesses and services for use by both residents and tourists, the service sector currently accounts for a significant share of employment in the municipality.

This section concerning the economic life on the territory of Rawdon will be enhanced as the research work progresses. This research should help elaborate on the following topics:

Our objective is to present a relatively complete picture of the evolution of economic activity on the territory of Rawdon.