The town of LaRue was founded in 1887 by French businessman Gerald LaRue. The town began life as a mining and logging town, bringing workers and their families in search of work and a new life. Eventually the town evolved into a bustling import/export hub along the coast of the Robertson River, transforming the entire area now known as Camembert County into the vibrant communities they are today.

(image: Main Street circa 1900)

Long a supporter of the arts, Gerald LaRue brought his love of the finer things in life to his new town, founding a community playhouse and a writer's retreat before even setting up a city hall! Throughout his life, LaRue continued to be a patron of the arts bringing a sense of verve and vitality to this working class town. The yearly arts prize is named after LaRue and is presented every year to an outstanding artist in the community, keeping alive the spirit of the arts LaRue valued so highly.

(image: Carswell Ave. circa 1905)