Lake of the Cross (Lac-Édouard) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake of the cross (Lac-Édouard) |
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 Lake of the cross (Lac-Édouard)
Location in Quebec
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| Location | Quebec in Canada |
| Coordinates | 47°37′04″N 72°13′49″W / 47.61778°N 72.23028°W |
| Type | natural |
| Primary inflows | Batiscan River |
| Primary outflows | Batiscan River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Settlements | Lac-Édouard |
The Lake of the Cross (also known as Lac à la croix) is a beautiful lake found in the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada. It is located in the area called Upper Batiscanie, within the municipality of Lac-Édouard. This lake is an important part of the Batiscan River, which flows through it.
The Lake of the Cross is about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) by water from Lac Édouard. Lac Édouard is where the Batiscan River begins. The area around the Lake of the Cross is very wild and natural. It became important for logging (forestry) and tourism when the CNR railway arrived in the late 1800s. This railway connected places like Hervey-Jonction to Chambord and passed right through Lac-Édouard.
What's in a Name?
The Origin of "Lake of the Cross"
The French name for the lake, "Lac à la croix," which means "Lake of the Cross," was officially recognized on December 5, 1968. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is like a special board that names places in Quebec.
The name "Lake of the Cross" fits well with other names in the area, especially to the east of the lake. Many nearby lakes have names that sound like they come from Christian ideas. For example, there's Lake Charity, which flows into the Batiscan River. Upstream from it, you'll find "Petite Charité 1" (Little Charity 1) and "Petite Charité 2" (Little Charity 2). There's also Lac l'Espérance (Lake of Hope) and "Lac Petite Espérance" (Lake of Small Hope).
Another lake, "Lac de la foi" (Lake of Faith), is a neighbor to the east. It flows eastward into Lake "Trois Caribou" (Three Caribou). These lakes are all connected by walking paths that belong to the Seigneurie du Triton, a famous club in the area. Old maps still show where these paths used to be. The way these trails were set up and the names of the lakes suggest that this area might have once been a popular place for pilgrimages, which are special journeys for religious reasons.
Other "Cross" Names
It's interesting to know that the name "Lake of the Cross" is not unique in Canada. In June 2013, the Geographical Names Board of Canada listed many places with similar names. There are dozens of lakes called "Lac à la Croix," "Lac en Croix," "Lac de la Croix," and other variations.
Beyond lakes, many other places in Quebec and Canada also use "Cross" in their names. You can find "Pointe à la Croix" (Tip of the Cross), "Sainte-Croix" (Holy Cross), and even "Chemin de la Croix" (Stations of the Cross). There's also the Island of the Cross downstream in the middle of the Batiscan River, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the mouth of the Lake of the Cross. This shows how common the word "cross" is in place names across the region.
