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Ernest Simard et les Armoiries de la ville de Magog
En 1951, Ernest Simard, then Mayor of Magog and his council decided that the community should mark a centennial in the same year. As we know, Magog's real centennial was to be held 47 years later, because the incorporation as a village was in 1888, when the municipality was detached from the Township of Magog.
So Mayor Simard decided that a gala occasion should be crowned with introduction of Magog's own coat-of-arms. This was researched By Drouin Genealogy of Montreal which provided the details and artwork was handled by Zotique Pelland of Magog.
In August 1951, people of Magog were invited to "Parc des Braves", to witness a most important event in the community's history. The English speaking people were represented by Edgar Kingsland. The event would feature a reception at which there would be an official unveiling by Mayor Simard, of Magog's new coat-of-arms. Records suggested that Ernest Simard was unique, and even described by some eccentric, but known as a man-of-action. In later editions, THE OUTLET, we will carry articles that speak of Mayor Simard and his various exploits.
The significance of Magog's Coat-of-arms
Ville de Magog draws its name from Lake Memphremagog on the northern end whose banks the town sits. The name Memphremagog derives from the Abenaki Amerindian tribe and means "the lake where the water is hight and very long". The wavy cutting of Magog's armorial bearings represents an accurate expression of this traditional meaning. The emanel of the two inner sections of design, azure (blue) and silver respectively represent the sky and the water.
In the top section are six horizontal logs each representing the trunk of a de-branched tree. These images recall the days when the wood industry was at heart of Magog's economic prosperity. They are arraged in pyramid form to emulate the shape of Mount Orford which looms dominatingly over the rivers which run into the lake. Yhe disposition of the the six logs is reflected in inverse order in the bottom section this time in the form of shells. Because of the natural beauty of its location abd the warmth with which it receives visitors, Ville de Magog has become an important centre for tourism. These shells in the town's heraldry reflect this situation.
The fleur de lys (lilly) is symbolic of the fact that the population of Magog has become, over the years, almost exclusively French-speaking. The presence of the clover symbolizes St. Patrick, the first Bishop of Ireland and the Patron Saint of the entire town and of its first parish.
Part of the "patterned" enamel border represents the textile industry and its significant role in the town's economy over decades. Its golden colour is reflective of the prosperity it brought to Ville de Magog.
The second part of the "patterned" enamel border, the "gules color of fire" symbolizes the production of hydro-electric power, one Magog's major attributes.
The Latino motto, Fidelitate et Labore, (through loyalty and work) is a reminder that citizens of Magog knew how, by their hard work and dedication to the town, to bear the fruit of their generous nature.
Jacques Boisvert, president,
Lake Memphremagog Historical Society
The OUTLET. August 1998, Volume 4, Edition 217
