Arcola, Saskatchewan

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Arcola (2006 Population 504) is a town in southeast Saskatchewan, Canada, approximately 60 km north and 40 km east of Estevan.

According to the Canada 2006 Census:

* Population:	504 (-5.3% from 2001)
* Land area:	2.59 km²
* Population density:	194.6 people/km²
* National population rank (Out of 5,008):	Ranked 3,006th
* Median age:^†	39.0 (males: 36.9, females: 40.8)
* Total private dwellings:	255
* Dwellings occupied by permanent residents:	229
* Mean household income:^↑	$36,971

References:

2006 Community Profile

Footnotes: ^↑ The data has not yet been released and is based on 2001 Census.

Arcola is known as Saskatchewan's "Heritage Town" due to its many historical brick and wood frame structures.

Settlers in the area originally built a community known as Clare, located two miles northeast of where Arcola exists today, but almost all the buildings of Clare were moved when the CPR announced in the early part of 1900 that the railroad would run south of town. Arcola was the "end point" of the southern branch line running west from Souris, Manitoba for four years, during which time it became an important hub for westward migration. At one point it was one of the 11 largest towns in what is now the province of Saskatchewan, but was then known as Assiniboia. With flourishing settlement and economic growth, many thought Arcola would achieve city status. It was during this heyday and using bricks made in the town's own brick plant that many of today's heritage homes and buildings were erected.

Arcola served as the location for the Allan King film feature of W.O. Mitchell's "Who Has Seen The Wind". The town has the distinction as well of being the place where Canadian author James Sinclair Ross wrote his seminal 1941 novel As For Me and My House.

Today, the town is home to three antique shops, an art gallery, the Southeast Saskatchewan Photo Museum, a full range of stores and services, a hospital, doctor's office, a K-12 school and pottery studio, as well as full service restaurants, a laundromat and a motel. Following the destruction by fire of the skating and curling rinks in 2001, the area residents banded together to rebuild the rinks next to the Prairie Place Hall, to create a multi-use community facility comparable to that in most cities. An annual Fair and Rodeo, Robbie Burns' Night, a Skidoo Poker Derby and Canada Day Celebrations are among the town's regular events.

In 2003 Arcola proudly celebrated its 100th anniversary, marking the fact that it predates the province by two years.