Point of Interest 1 of the Rawdon Lake Aquatic Tour
A true natural gem and iconic gathering place, Rawdon’s municipal beach on the shore of Rawdon Lake stands out for its exceptional setting. Formed in 1915 following the construction of a dam on the Rouge River, the lake is bordered by a remarkable, entirely natural sandy slope, formed from fluvio-glacial deposits (1), which gives the site a unique character.
The slope extends approximately 75 metres from the top of the embankment to the shore. The beach covers approximately 6,000 square metres of sand with 80 metres of shoreline along the lake.
Acquisition of the beach by the Municipality
The institutional history of the municipal beach truly began in 1930 when Mr. George Ainslie Finlayson, representing the Rawdon Land & Construction Company (2), leased part of lot 18 on Range 6 to the village council. This agreement made it easier for Rawdon’s residents and visitors to access the lake. In 1932, on behalf of the Rawdon Land & Construction Company, George Ainslie Finlayson sold the beach to the Municipality so that residents could have access to the waterfront and recreational activities, thereby ensuring the beach’s lasting place in Rawdon’s collective heritage.
According to Gérard Brady, a journalist and author who lived in Rawdon for many years, the restaurant was leased in 1932 to T.S. Copping, who installed eight lockers in the men’s room and four in the women’s changing room (3).
Instead of using the sports facilities, some people preferred to spend time at the beach restaurant. In the summer, it offered a fast-food service. There was also a large hall where young people could dance, especially on Sunday afternoons. Of course, the young people danced to music from the jukebox. The popularity of the place drew people from Rawdon and all over the surrounding area. And one member of the Société d’histoire de Rawdon told us that people even came from Montréal to dance there—and, for some, to check out the girls.
A 1968 photo showing numerous cars parked between the chalet and the top of the beach embankment in anticipation of the snowmobile race.
Today, the beach is the site of major annual gatherings, including Quebec’s national holiday and Canada Day.
A legacy of traditions and recreation
Today, as in the past, the beach remains a popular spot, welcoming swimmers, water sports enthusiasts and winter sports lovers alike.
Panoramic view of the municipal beach, featuring this pier with two diving boards that were very popular at the time.
In the winter, ice rinks set up at the top of the embankment are always the scene of hockey games. Many hockey games have been played on the rink near the beach restaurant!
In the winter, the long snow-covered slope was perfect for sledding and skiing; people would use a cable to pull themselves back up.
Snowmobile races on the lake in the 60s.
In 2026, when the lake freezes over, the path on the lake is open for skating (4).
Sources
(1) Bertrand, Pierre. Avis technique — Lac Rawdon. Municipalité de Rawdon, p. 6. Website accessed on May 22, 2026 - URL: https://rawdon.ca/storage/app/media/loisirs-culture/parcs-et-infrastructures/avis_technique_Lac_Rawdon_Final.pdf
(2) Société d’histoire de Rawdon. Histoire du Rawdon Golf Resort (1926-2025). Rawdon, mai 2026, section 1, p. e-10, et section 7, p. e-120. Website accessed on May 4, 2026 - URL:. https://www.histoirederawdon.ca/histoire-du-rawdon-golf-resort-club-de-golf-de-rawdon/
(3) Brady, Gérard. Rawdon, mon village. Éd. Village de Rawdon, 1995, p. 97.
(4) Municipalité de Rawdon. Plage municipale: Rawdon. Website accessed on May 22, 2026. - URL: https://rawdon.ca/fr/loisirs-et-culture/parcs-et-infrastructures/plage