[4] In 1845, the first saw mills were built along the Ouareau River, but didn't survive for long as they were washed away by spring floods.

[5] The real impetus for the town's development came in 1905 when Edwin Crabtree bought land in what would become the centre of the city to build a paper mill.

He founded the Edwin Crabtree and Sons Ltd. and built the mill also along the Ouareau River to take advantage of its hydraulic power.

Gradually a small village grew near the mill, including the so-called "English Street" (la rue des Anglais) with its residences for the managers, boarding house, the entertainment hall "Beaver S Club", tennis court and park.

Edwin Crabtree and Sons Ltd. joined the Howard Smith Paper Mills group (subsequently bought by Domtar), and the plant was modernized.