![[Thetford Mines]](../images/c/ca-qcthm2.jpg)
Last modified: 2021-03-27 by rob raeside
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image located by Évelyne Sunatori, 31 December 2020See also:
Thetford Mines boomed after the discovery of asbestos deposits by Joseph
Fecteau in 1876. Quebec was once the world's first producer of asbestos; the
eventual recognition of the threat represented by asbestos to human health
caused the decline of asbestos use and, therefore, production. Asbestos industry
employed once up to 40% of the local manpower, a ratio that has dropped down to
10%. This decline was reflected in a change of the town's Latin motto, from "Etiam
ignis stat" (It Even Resists Fire, 1928-1956) to the more generic "Fervet opus"
(Ardour to Work).
The municipality of the village of Kingsville was
established in 1892 around the King mine, owned by William King (d. 1896). With
the increase in the number of mines, the inhabitants refused to maintain the
name of King and adopted the name of canton Thetford, established in 1802 and
named for an English town, already used for the parishes of
Saint-Alphonse-de-Thetford and Saint-Maurie-de-Thetford, which formed the two
urban nuclei of the town. The town of Thetford Mines was incorporated in 1905.
The municipality of the village of Amiante (French, Asbestos), established in
1914 from Thetford-Partie-Sud, was included in 1929 to Thetford Mines.
In the
1950s, most of the downtown was relocated for the sake of the increase of the
King mine.
Ivan Sache, 1 January 2021
Thetford was previously known as Thetford Mines, but dropped the "Mines" from its name. An earlier flag carried the coat of arms and old name. It is not known if there is a new flag.
According to
this
website, Thetford Mines is now known as “Thetford” to put aside the
pejorative connotation associated to the mines. So, the flag with the arms is
actually the old flag, with the “heraldry” (armoiries). The new flag (http://www.parallele.ca/fr/realisations/ville-de-thetford)
shows a “stylish form” of “piolets” (ice axes) to honour the workers and
builders of Thetford Mines. To change people’s perception of the city as a “grey
city”, bright colours were added to the design and will gradually be unfolded
(displayed) in the region. The result they wanted is a strong personalized image
of the energy and the strength of character of Thetford’s citizens.
Évelyne Sunatori, 31 December 2020
I could find no other images of a flag with the new logo other than the one
on the logo website linked to. I worry that this new flag is a "false flag"
often suggested by design companies when hired to design new logos. For example,
the towns of Groveland FL, Waterbury CT, and Lake Havasu AZ had apparent new
flags that could only be seen on images made by the logo designer. I've fallen
for this trick before (for Groveland), so I'm more careful now.
The
image of the new Thetford flag is clearly a computer graphic image and not an
actual photograph. My search of the town's Facebook page did not find a new flag
containing the logo; the only flag shown was the old heraldic flag.
https://www.facebook.com/VilleThetford/photos/1517616541723839
Lots of
uses of the logo, but not on the flag.
I also can't confirm that the
town's name has been shortened to "Thetford." The removal of "mines" was
suggested and used for branding and the logo.
Masao Okazaki, 27
February 2021
![[Thetford Mines]](../images/c/ca-qcthm.gif)
image
by Olivier Touzeau, 1 January 2021
Thetford Mines flag:
http://www.mcdc.info/uploads/images/mcdc-logo-ville-Thetford.jpg
from:
http://www.mcdc.info/en/communication-informations-en/overview-5-en/
We can see it used (not as a flag though…) in an arena (Centre Mario
Gosselin).
Évelyne Sunatori, 31 December 2020
The flag before the adoption of the new logo in 2019 can be seen on the top
of the city hall here (picture of September 2012):
https://www.google.com/maps/
White flag with coat of arms and the
words "Ville de Thetford Mines" in Gothic letters.
(Font confirmed by taking
a look at the sign near the Centre Mario Gosselin:
https://www.google.com/maps and with this picture:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKsjSM5DWus)
Olivier Touzeau, 1
January 2021
Argent represents the natural resources of the region of Thetford Mines.
The three mounts represent the geographical location of Thetford Mines in a
mountainous region.
The salamander, used as the main charge, represents
fire-proof asbestos. [The salamander was believed by ancient authors to be able
to survive fire.] Or is a symbol of shine, justice, force, faith and constancy.
Azure is a symbol of purity. The cross represents the Christian religion and
harmony between the inhabitants. The two pickaxes and the lamp represent mining.
https://grandquebec.com/armoiries-blasons/armoiries-thetford-mines
Histoire du Québec
Ivan Sache, 1 January 2021
![[Thetford Mines]](../images/c/ca-qcthm).gif)
image
by Olivier Touzeau, 1 January 2021
