Mortlach, Saskatchewan

Origin of name

While there are several theories about the origin of the name Mortlach such as: it was named after an English Village; it is a Gaelic translation of 'low hills'; and it may be a French term for 'dead lake' or Lac du Mort. The one that is generally accepted is that the Village was named by George Stephen, the first President of the CPR, for his home Parish of Mortlach, Scotland. Other community names such as Parkbeg, Caron and Craigellachie, site of the 'Last Spike', also hail from his home parish. A church in Dufftown in Banffshire, Scotland with origins dating back to 525 AD, bears the Mortlach name.

Homesteading days

In 1904, the Canadian Pacific Railway's (CPR) new line became operational and the Village of Mortlach came to life on land originally homesteaded in 1902 by a Khamis Michael, a native of what is today Iraq. By the spring of 1905, many people who had homesteaded the summer before along with new homesteaders began building. The first store, post office, and lumber and coal supply would be owned by Mr. E.B. Tedford. Scribner and Wheeler built the first hotel in 1905 and the first school was built that fall.

One year later, in 1905, Mortlach already had a Board of Trade with a strong business district including two businesses, three general stores, lumber and coal suppliers, post office, livery, hotel, meat market, and an implement and harness dealer. In the fall of 1905 there was a section house but no station until 1906, built along with an elevator. The first Royal Northwest Mounted Police were stationed here in 1905 the same year that the Province of Saskatchewan was created. These were exciting times. The first weekly Mortlach newspaper was printed in Caron and the Methodist Church was also organized that year. The first doctor came to town that year and Mortlach fast became a popular place to stop and visit. 1907 saw many additional businesses grow, more hardware and implements, dry goods, general stores, harness shops, butchers, tinsmith, livery, real estate and insurance, and a hotel with a restaurant.

1907 was also the year of a Small Pox Epidemic so a new house that was being built became an isolation hospital. The Bank of Hamilton opened a branch on Rose Street and Khamis Michael built a rink on Dean Street. The first exhibition was held in that rink on August 4, 1908. Mortlach incorporated as a Village in 1909 with about 700 residents. The Star Theatre was built in 1910 by A.C. Baker. Soon there were many more businesses in this thriving community: a Red and White Store, two restaurants, blacksmith, grocery store, two cobblers, butcher, baker, undertaker, embalmer, flour miller, electric repair shop, Chinese laundry, veterinarian, Beaver Lumber, Imperial Lumber, Bank of Toronto, photo studio, newspaper publisher, livery stable and auto garage, and another implement shop.

Government

The village is governed by a village council composed of a mayor, four councillors and a village Administrator. Municipal elections are held every three years.

Demographics

In 2006 Mortlach had a population of 254 living in 117 dwellings, a 5.4% increase from 2001. The village has a land area of 2.76 km² (1.07 sq mi) and a population density of 92.0/km² (238/sq mi).

Notable People

Attractions

Mortlach has a large variety of attractions, including a community orchard, churches, parks and restaurants, a library, museum and beautiful scenery. Music plays a big part in Mortlach's culture - from the Mortlach Old Time Fiddlers to the community choir. A new group, "We Could Be Cousins", had its debut in Mortlach on 4 July 2009. Also in July 2009, Mortlach was awarded an Artist In Residence for a year.

Education

Mortlach has one school that covers Kindergarten through grade 12, that boasts a strong academic record with a mix of sports, cultural, and social aspects.