1885 - Data Points by Date/Period

Wood Mountain Post Provincial Park is a 5.48-hectare historic park in Saskatchewan, Canada. It was designated as a historic site in the 1960s and became a provincial park in 1986. The site originally housed a North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) post, which operated from 1887 to 1918. The post was established to foster relations with local Indigenous peoples, patrol the Canada–US border, and conduct general policing duties.Located in the RM of Old Post No. 43, along Highway 18, Wood Mountain Post Provincial Park lies about 8 kilometers south of the village of Wood Mountain and 35 kilometers north of the Canada–US border. The park is situated in the Wood Mountain Hills, adjacent to Wood Mountain Creek, and is near Wood Mountain Regional Park. The provincial park offers a picnic area, while the regional park provides camping facilities.The NWMP first used the Wood Mountain Hills area in 1874 during their march westward in response to the Cypress Hills Massacre. A depot in the region, originally used by the Boundary Commission during the Canada–US border survey, served intermittently as an NWMP base from 1874 to 1887 to police whisky traders, horse thieves, and cattle rustlers. In 1876, Chief Sitting Bull and 5,000 Lakota Sioux sought refuge at the post following the Battle of the Little Bighorn. They stayed in the area for five years before Chief Sitting Bull and many of his people returned to the US. Those who remained in Saskatchewan now make up the present-day Wood Mountain Lakota First Nation. The original post closed in 1883, reopened in 1885 during the North-West Resistance, and was relocated 300 meters southeast across Wood Mountain Creek in 1887. This new site is where the current provincial park stands, while the original site is now part of Wood Mountain Regional Park. The post closed permanently in 1918.In the 1960s, the Wood Mountain Post site was designated a Canadian historic site. Two buildings—a barracks and a kitchen/storehouse—were reconstructed on their original foundations, with outlines marking other former structures. Numerous artifacts, along with cellars and trail locations, have been uncovered. The park tells the story of Major James Walsh of the NWMP and his negotiations with Chief Sitting Bull.

The region’s history is rich with stories of the Indigenous peoples who lived here for thousands of years before settlement, and of the Métis families who operated Red River cart brigades to support the fur trade. More recent narratives come from the immigrants who arrived to start new lives on farms and in towns that developed after the railway was built. Remnants of these early communities can be found in our local museums and art galleries, on building murals, cairns, and even in the ghost structures still visible today.The Town of Cut Knife, established in 1912, was named after the largest hill in the area, visible to the south. According to legend, in the 1840s, the Cree and the Tsuut’ina (then known as the Sarcee) were battling for dominance. A Tsuut’ina chief named Broken Knife was defeated, but his bravery so impressed the Cree that they named the hill in his honor. Over time, Broken Knife became known as Cut Knife in English. This hill was also the site of a battle during the 1885 North-West Resistance, and many of the town’s street names are derived from this event. Today, the hill is also referred to as Broken Knife’s Lookout or Chief Poundmaker Hill.For a deeper exploration of Cut Knife's history, we recommend visiting the Clayton McLain Memorial Museum in Tomahawk Park. The museum, which features a heritage village, themed exhibits, and archives, is a proud member of the Museums Association of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Council for Archives and Archivists. These organizations support local museums and archives by providing training and resources for preserving artifacts and archival materials.

Cut Knife is a town in Saskatchewan, Canada, located on Highway 40, about 55 km (34 miles) west of North Battleford and northwest of Saskatoon. In 2011, it had a population of 517.Nearby communities include Poundmaker Cree Nation, Little Pine First Nation, Sweetgrass First Nation, and Hillsvale Hutterite Colony.The town's name comes from Cut Knife Hill, now known as Chief Poundmaker Hill, named after a Sarcee chief killed nearby by the Cree in the 1840s.Cut Knife is near the site of the Battle of Cut Knife, fought during the North-West Rebellion of 1885.Key attractions include the 'World's Largest Tomahawk,' located in Tomahawk Park next to the Clayton McLain Memorial Museum, the Poundmaker Historical Centre, and the Big Bear monument. A cairn by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada also stands on Cut Knife Hill, overlooking the Battle of Cut Knife site and Battle River valley. The tomahawk, built in 1971 and designed by UMA Engineering of Saskatoon, symbolizes unity and friendship with the local First Nations.According to the 2021 Census, Cut Knife had a population of 547 living in 222 of its 259 private dwellings, a decrease of 4.5% from 2016. The town has a land area of 1.88 km² (0.73 sq mi) and a population density of 291.0/km² (753.6/sq mi).

The Marieval Indian Residential School was part of Canada’s Indian residential school system, located on the Cowessess 73 reserve in Marieval, Saskatchewan. It operated from 1898 to 1997 in the Qu'Appelle Valley, east of Crooked Lake, and 24 km (15 mi) north of Broadview.In June 2021, the Cowessess First Nation discovered 751 unmarked graves on the school grounds, the largest number found in Canada to date, according to the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN). This was the third such discovery in Canada in 2021, following 215 unmarked graves found at Kamloops Indian Residential School. Initially operated by the Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions and later by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Saint-Hyacinthe from 1901 to 1979, the school was funded by the government starting in 1901 and managed by them from 1969. The Cowessess First Nation took over in 1987 until the school closed in 1997 and was demolished in 1999, replaced by a day school.Enrollment peaked in 1962-63 with 148 residents and 89 day students. Students had limited contact with their families, initially only allowed to visit on Sundays. Their hair was cut upon arrival, and they were assigned numbers used by staff, who were expected to 'physically dominate' the students. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada reported in 2015 that there was no comprehensive effort to record student deaths across the system. A National Residential School Student Death Register was established in 2019 with $33.8 million over three years allocated to maintain it.The cemetery adjacent to the school predates it, with graves dating back to 1885. By 2021, only an estimated third of the graves remained marked. In the 1960s, many tombstones were removed by a priest, leading to further erasure. In 2019, the Archdiocese of Regina provided $70,000 to restore the cemetery and identify the graves. The Cowessess First Nation began a search of the grounds with ground-penetrating radar in May 2021, after delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They found 751 unmarked graves over 44,000 m², though many are believed to be members of the local community, and the exact connection to the school remains unclear. The discovery was followed by further efforts to identify the graves, and by October 2021, 300 of the 751 were identified.Public reaction included statements of support from political leaders such as Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, along with calls for action from Indigenous leaders. Bobby Cameron, chief of the FSIN, described the schools as 'concentration camps' for Indigenous children. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged the responsibility Canada bears for this dark chapter of its history, though many called for more than just words.In response to the discoveries in Marieval and Kamloops, several communities across Canada canceled 2021 Canada Day celebrations. Acts of vandalism and arson targeted Catholic churches in the aftermath. The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, who operated the school, announced they would release all historical documents related to their involvement.

The City of Humboldt is named after Baron Alexander von Humboldt (1769–1859), a renowned German scientist and naturalist who extensively explored Central and South America. The name 'Humboldt' was officially approved in 1875 for a site in the Northwest Territories along the Canadian Pacific Telegraph Line, where a repair station was built 8 km southwest of the current city location. At that time, the only permanent residents were telegraph operators, linemen and their families, and members of the North West Mounted Police. The station played a crucial role in communication for the developing West and during the 1885 Métis Resistance at Batoche. Humboldt secured its place in Canadian history in 1885. During the Métis Resistance led by Louis Riel at Batoche, 100 km northwest of Humboldt, the city became a vital communication link between Prime Minister John A. Macdonald and his forces in the West, making it a site of strategic importance. General Frederick Middleton arrived in April 1885 with 950 soldiers, established a garrison at the station, and used it as a base for scouting operations. At that time, the telegraph line further west was periodically cut, making the Humboldt Station the last secure link to the East. On May 1, 1885, Humboldt became the site of a large supply depot under Major Lieutenant-Colonel G. T. Denison of the Governor General’s Body Guard. A force of approximately 460 men constructed an elaborate series of entrenchments, converting the station into a fortified military encampment to protect the supplies. The troops left Humboldt in July 1885. As Western Canada developed, settlers began arriving in the area at the turn of the century. Humboldt’s history was significantly influenced by the establishment of St. Peter’s Colony by Benedictine monks. In search of suitable land to establish a new colony, Father Bruno Doerfler, O.S.B., and businessmen from Minnesota arrived in Winnipeg in 1902. They traveled as far west as Calgary, up to Wetaskiwin, east to Battleford, and finally arrived in Saskatoon on August 27, after covering 400 miles by team and wagon. In 1903, the businessmen formed the German American Land Company and purchased 100,000 acres of railroad land in the district to sell to settlers who wanted more than a quarter section of land. The company attracted German Catholics living in the United States to homestead in St. Peter’s Colony, promoting the area as offering 'churches, schools, and German neighbors' and highlighting the spiritual guidance provided by Benedictine fathers. The arrival of the Canadian Northern Railway in September 1904 provided a critical route to the new community. By May 1905, the first passenger trains arrived, and the district began to thrive. The name 'Humboldt' was officially transferred to the village in 1905, and it became a town in 1907. Humboldt achieved city status in November 2000, becoming Saskatchewan’s thirteenth city.

Humboldt is a city in Saskatchewan, Canada, located 113 km east of Saskatoon at the junction of Highway 5 and Highway 20. Surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Humboldt No. 370, the city is named after the German explorer Alexander von Humboldt. Humboldt originated as a telegraph station along the Carlton Trail, a wagon route used in early Western Canada to connect Fort Garry (Winnipeg) and Fort Edmonton. The name 'Humboldt' was approved in 1875 for a site in the North West Territories along the Canadian Pacific Telegraph Line, where a repair station was built 8 km southwest of the present city location. The Humboldt Telegraph Station, built in 1878, played a crucial role in communications for the developing West.During the Métis uprising led by Louis Riel at Batoche, 100 km northwest, Humboldt became the only communication link between Prime Minister John A. Macdonald and his forces in the West, making it a site of strategic importance. In April 1885, General Frederick Middleton arrived with 950 soldiers, established a garrison at the station, and used it as a base for scouting operations. At the time, the Humboldt station was critical because the telegraph line further west was intermittently cut, making Humboldt the last secure link to the East.On May 1, 1885, Humboldt became the site of a large supply depot under Major Lieutenant-Colonel G. T. Denison of the Governor General's Body Guard. Approximately 460 men built extensive entrenchments, turning the station into a fortified military encampment to protect the supplies. The troops left Humboldt in July 1885. The area was also the site of the first stagecoach robbery in Western Canada. Parts of the Carlton Trail, in the form of wagon tracks and ruts, still exist in the Humboldt area.In its early days, Humboldt was primarily a German Catholic community and became the largest settlement in the Territorial Abbey of Saint Peter-Muenster, also known as St. Peter's Colony, established by Benedictine monks from St John's Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota. The German American Land Company promoted immigration to the area from both the Northern Plains states of the US and Germany. Many German immigrants settled in Humboldt and surrounding areas such as Muenster, Fulda, Pilger, St Gregor, and Englefeld. Ethnic Germans from the Russian Empire also settled west of Humboldt and south of the hamlet of Carmel.As the community developed, Humboldt became an important location in Saskatchewan, previously known as the 'Heart of the Sure Crop District' for its reliable growing conditions. This led the town to become a hub for farming equipment and supply businesses. Approximately 95% of all goods produced in the province rely on its basic resources, including grains, livestock, oil, gas, potash, uranium, and timber, along with their refined products.The area primarily grows wheat, canola, flax, peas, rye, lentils, canary seed, and barley. Beef and pork production, as well as other livestock, are significant to the community. The presence of many farmers in the area has led to the establishment of agricultural-related businesses, offering services in trucking, financial management, business services, wholesale trade, and transportation. Humboldt is also located in the heart of potash country, with many residents employed in nearby mines. The city's manufacturing sector, represented in the 'Iron Triangle,' is another significant employer.In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Humboldt had a population of 6,033, living in 2,494 of its 2,707 total private dwellings. This was a 2.8% increase from its 2016 population of 5,869. With a land area of 13.3 km² (5.1 sq mi), the population density was 453.6/km² (1,174.8/sq mi) in 2021.

Fort Carlton was a Hudson's Bay Company fur trading post from 1795 until 1885, located along the North Saskatchewan River near Duck Lake in present-day Saskatchewan, Canada. The fort, now a feature of a provincial historic park, has been reconstructed by the Saskatchewan government and can be visited today. It lies about 65 kilometers (40 miles) north of Saskatoon.Originally named Carlton House, multiple Fort Carlton posts operated at different times and locations. The first post (1795–1801) was built near the old French Fort de la Corne, followed by a second (1805–1810) on the South Saskatchewan River. The third Fort Carlton (1810–1885) was situated on the south bank of the North Saskatchewan River at the Great Crossing Place. This location was strategic for trade, despite not being in prime beaver territory, as it had ample nearby woods and limestone. The fort was rebuilt several times, including in 1855–1858, and served as a depot for winter express mail. As an HBC post, Fort Carlton primarily traded in provisions like pemmican and buffalo robes, although other furs were also exchanged. Lawrence Clarke was the fort's last Chief Factor. Situated on the Carlton Trail between the Red River Colony and Fort Edmonton, the fort was an important hub for travelers. Treaty Six, between the Canadian Crown and various Cree and Saulteaux First Nations, was negotiated and signed near the fort in 1876. In the 1880s, the North-West Mounted Police leased the fort from the HBC, using it as their main base in the Saskatchewan Valley. After the Battle of Duck Lake in 1885, the police abandoned the fort, which was briefly occupied by Gabriel Dumont’s Métis forces before being destroyed by fire during the conflict. Fort Carlton was reconstructed in 1967 and designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1976. It features a partial reconstruction of the fort from around 1880, including four replica buildings of 'Red River frame' construction. In 1986, the site was designated a provincial park of Saskatchewan.

Duck Lake is a town in central Saskatchewan, Canada, located 88 kilometers (55 miles) north of Saskatoon and 44 kilometers (27 miles) south of Prince Albert on Highway 11. It lies within the Rural Municipality of Duck Lake No. 463, just south of the Nisbet Provincial Forest. The town is home to the Cree First Nations, with the band government of the Beardy's and Okemasis' Cree Nation based here. Duck Lake also housed St. Michael's Indian Residential School, one of the last residential schools in Canada, which closed in 1996. Founded by French-speaking Métis from Manitoba in the 1860s and 1870s, Duck Lake was one of the Southbranch Settlements. A Roman Catholic mission was established in 1874, and by 1888, the village had a school, post office (named Stobart), flour mill, and trading post. It was part of the District of Saskatchewan within the Northwest Territories from 1882 to 1905. The Battle of Duck Lake, marking the start of the North-West Resistance, took place here in 1885. Duck Lake was a key location where the Prince Albert Trail crossed the Carlton Trail, midway between Batoche and Fort Carlton. The All Saints Anglican Church, built in 1896 in Carpenter Gothic style, is a municipal heritage site with a cemetery that holds the graves of battle participants and early settlers. According to the 2021 Canadian census, Duck Lake had a population of 579 in 202 of its 232 private dwellings, with a population density of 243.3/km², reflecting a 1.8% increase from its 2016 population of 569.

Batoche, Saskatchewan, is a significant historical site located on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River, about an hour north of Saskatoon. In 1885, it was the scene of the Battle of Batoche, the final confrontation of the North-West Resistance, where Louis Riel and his Métis forces were defeated by Major General Frederick Middleton and the Northwest Field Force. At the time, Batoche was a small village with around 500 residents. The village has since become largely depopulated, but key historic structures remain, including the 1885 church and rectory of the parish of St.-Antoine-de-Padoue. These buildings, along with the remnants of the village, have been preserved as part of a National Historic Site, designated in 1923. The site serves as a symbol of Métis resilience and cultural renewal, reflecting the deep historical significance of the events that took place there.

Fort Battleford was the sixth fort established by the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) in the North-West Territories of Canada and played a crucial role during the North-West Resistance of 1885. It was at Fort Battleford that Chief Poundmaker was arrested, and where six Cree and two Stoney individuals were executed for their involvement in the Frog Lake Massacre and the Looting of Battleford. Prime Minister John A. Macdonald remarked in a letter that the executions were intended to demonstrate to Indigenous peoples that the White Man governs. The fort was strategically located near the confluence of the North Saskatchewan and Battle rivers, providing access to fresh water before an on-site well was drilled and offering an alternative transportation route to the Red River cart. Its elevated position on a plateau made it defensible and provided clear visibility over the surrounding area and Government Ridge, offering early warning against potential attacks. Fort Battleford accommodated around 500 people who contributed to fortifying the settlement. Battleford's designation as the capital of the North-West Territories influenced the decision to establish the fort there. The government hoped that the NWMP’s presence would serve as a civilizing force, assisting First Nations in transitioning from a nomadic lifestyle to a more settled way of life based on European models, while also supporting settlers in their homesteading efforts and promoting respect for the law. The federal government’s intention was to avoid the issues that had affected Native American relations in the United States by establishing a strong NWMP presence in Battleford, recognizing the large Aboriginal population in the area. Additionally, the original Canadian Pacific Railway route was planned to pass through Battleford along the Qu'Appelle route. However, the route was eventually redirected further south, leading to the relocation of the capital from Battleford to Regina, then known as Pile o' Bones.

1885 (28)

Other Dates/Periods

1359

19-06-2002

1678

1408 - 1409

10-11-1867

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