Humboldt, Saskatchewan

History

Named after German explorer Alexander von Humboldt, Humboldt began as a telegraph station located on the Carlton Trail, a wagon route used in the early days of Western Canada as a route from Fort Garry (Winnipeg) to Fort Edmonton. The name "Humboldt" was approved in 1875 for a site in the North West Territories along the Canadian Pacific Telegraph Line at which a repair station was built (8 km south-west of the present city site). Built in 1878, the Humboldt Telegraph Station played an integral part in communications for the developing West.

With the Métis uprising led by Louis Riel taking place at Batoche just 100 km northwest, Humboldt became the communication link between Prime Minister John A. Macdonald and his forces in the West, thus a site of strategic significance. General Frederick Middleton arrived in April 1885 with 950 soldiers, established a garrison at the station, and used it as his base for scouting operations. At that time, the Humboldt station was crucial, since the telegraph line further west was periodically cut – so Humboldt was the last secure link to the East.

On May 1, 1885, Humboldt became the site of a large supply depot under Maj. Lt.-Colonel G. T. Denison of the Governor Generals' Body Guard. A combined force of approximately 460 men built an elaborate series of entrenchments, converting 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/ruts still exist in the Humboldt area.

Humboldt in its beginnings was primarily German Catholic. It became the largest settlement in the Territorial Abbey of Saint Peter-Muenster also called St. Peter's Colony established by Benedictine monks from St John's Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota. Immigration to the area from both the Northern Plains states of the USA and Germany was promoted by the German American Land Company. Many immigrants from the German Empire settled in areas in and around Humboldt such as Muenster, Fulda, Pilger, St Gregor and Englefeld. Immigrants from the Russian Empire who were ethnic Germans settled in the area west of Humboldt and south of the hamlet of Carmel.

After being established as a community, Humboldt became an important location in Saskatchewan previously known as the "Heart of the Sure Crop District" for its reliable growing weather, which led the town to become a centre for farming equipment and supply businesses.

Climate

Humboldt experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb). and falls into the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 3a. It is a great distance from any large bodies of water, and thus lacks any moderating influences on its climate. The latitudinal difference of Saskatchewan can typically explain a 6–8 °C difference mean in annual temperatures across the province. Winters sometimes can be being very cold and long with short warm summers.

The highest temperature ever recorded in Humboldt was 41.1 °C (106 °F) on 19 July 1941. The coldest temperature ever recorded was −50.6 °C (−59 °F) on 12 January 1916.

Demographics

As reported in the 2011 census, Humboldt grew by 13.6% since 2006 for a population of 5,678.

Economy

About 95% of all goods produced in the province directly depend on its basic resources (grains, livestock, oil and gas, potash, uranium and timber) and their refined products.

Wheat, canola, flax, peas, rye, lentils, canary seed and barley are mainly grown in the area. Beef cattle production, pork production – as well as other livestock – are significant for the community. With many farmers in the area, agricultural-related businesses were formed. Some services offered are in trucking and financial management, finance, business services, wholesale trade, transportation, etc. These jobs became significant for the farming community as well as the manufacturing community.

Attractions

Humboldt has a number of heritage buildings listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places. They include the Canadian National Railways (Canadian Northern Railway) Station (built in 1905), a Post Office (built in 1911–1912), the Humboldt Provincial Court House (built in 1914–1920). and the Humboldt Water Tower (built in 1914).

The Humboldt Post Office is a National Historic Site of Canada (built in 1911–1912). It houses the Humboldt and District Museum and Gallery.

Marysburg Assumption Church is located 16 km (10 miles) north of Humboldt. Mount Carmel Shrine is located 23 km (14 miles) west and St. Peter's Abbey is 10 km (6 miles) east of the city.

The Humboldt Murals located in the town centre depict historic scenes.

Festivals

Sports and recreation

Humboldt is home to over 30 acres of parks and open spaces as well as a growing pedestrian trails and pathways system. There are eleven parks around the city, including: A.E. Kilcher Park, Bill Brecht Memorial Park, Carl Schenn Recreational Park, Centennial Park, Civic Park, Glenn Hall Park, Peace Park, St. Augustine School Grounds, St. Dominic School Grounds, Water Ridge Park and Wilf Chamney Park.

Situated 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Humboldt along Highway 5 and two miles (3 km) south is the Kloppenburg Wildlife Refuge. It consists of 160 acres (0.65 km²) which have never been cultivated.

The Uniplex is Humboldt's recreational facility featuring a curling rink, a skating and hockey rink, an indoor aquatic centre, a fitness room and a convention hall. On the Uniplex grounds is Centennial Park with six ball diamonds, a skateboard park and the Rodeo and Exhibition Grounds.

An 18-hole golf course is located next to Water Ridge Park and the Humboldt Historical Park and Campground.

Humboldt is home to the Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

Churches

Humboldt has ten churches: Humboldt Alliance Church, St. John's Lutheran, St. Andrew's Anglican Church, St. Augustine Catholic Church, Living Word Ministries, All Saints Ukrainian Catholic Church, Humboldt Bible Church, Westminster United Church of Canada, First Baptist Church and Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Education

Humboldt has three elementary schools: two Catholic (St. Augustine and St. Dominic) and one public (Humboldt Public School).

It has one public high school, Humboldt Collegiate Institute. It is co-managed by Horizon School Division No. 205 and Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools. The Humboldt Collegiate Institute has Senior & Junior Volleyball teams (boys & girls), Senior & Junior Basketball Teams (boys & girls), Soccer (boys & girls), Badminton, Golf, Cross-Country, Track & Field and a 9-man Football program known as HCI Mohawks. The Mohawks won provincial championships in 1975, 1996, 1997, 2008 and 2010.

Carlton Trail Regional College has its headquarters in Humboldt.

Transportation

The city is served by Highway 5 and Highway 20.

Humboldt Airport, (TC LID: CJU4), is located 1 nautical mile (1.9 km; 1.2 mi) south of the city.

Health care

Humboldt lies within the Saskatoon Health Region and is served by the Humboldt District Health Complex. This state-of-the-art complex houses a medical clinic and four pharmacies in addition to local dental, chiropractic, home care, optometry, physiotherapy as well as health and wellness services.

Humboldt City Council

The Humboldt City Council is the municipal governing body for the city. The council consists of the mayor and six councillors. The current council sits between 2012 and 2016. The last civic election was held on October 24, 2012. Historically, the mayor and councillors were elected to three-year terms; however, the terms have increased to four years. Mayor Malcolm Eaton was returned by acclamation in the 2012 election.

Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan

The City of Humboldt is the largest centre in the provincial electoral district of Humboldt. Donna Harpauer of the Saskatchewan Party is the current MLA for the riding.

Humboldt will join the new riding of Humboldt-Watrous in the next provincial election that is scheduled to take place in late 2015.

Member of Parliament

The City of Humboldt is currently within the federal electoral district of Saskatoon-Humboldt which is represented by Brad Trost of the Conservative Party of Canada.

Due to the Canadian federal electoral redistribution, 2012 Humboldt will move into the rural-only riding of Humboldt—Warman—Martensville—Rosetown for the 42nd Canadian federal election that is scheduled for October 2015.

Notable people

Notable people who were born, grew up in or established their fame in Humboldt: