Govenlock, Saskatchewan
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| Govenlock, Saskatchewan | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Saskatchewan |
| Region | Saskatchewan |
| Census division | No. 4 |
| Rural Municipality | Reno |
| Area | |
| - Total | 1,567.12 km² (605.1 sq mi) |
| Population (1910-1990) | |
| - Total | 151 |
| Postal code | S0N 2G0 |
| Area code(s) | 306 |
Govenlock is a ghost town in the southwestern portion of Saskatchewan.
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[edit] History
In 1910, Moose Jaw resident William Govenlock would move to the area with his family after applying for a homestead. They would be pioneers of the settlement known as Govenlock.
In 1913, Govenlock would negotiate a land deal with the Canadian Pacific Railway, thus beginning the construction of the townsite. Govenlock's wife Bessie would operate the town's post office.
Even though the liquor trade was big business during that time, Govenlock's future looked promising even without the steady stream of liquor. The town boasted its impressive CPR station, section house, grain elevators, two general stores, blacksmith shops, a livery barn, two machine agencies, pool room, laundry, school, meant shop, a service station selling Model T Fords, and a hotel. Most of these businesses were connected by wooden sidewalks, a common feature in the pioneer prairie days.[1]
1914 would see the Govenlock Hotel built by John Linder. The hotel would stand two stories and house ten rooms. James Gaff would by then buy the hotel three years later after stopping at the Govenlock Hotel for a rest. Due to there being no rooms available, Gaff would strike a deal and immediately purchase the hotel for $4,500.
1919 would see throngs of Americans from Montana coming to Govenlock by train after the long journeys across the border. They would make their way north due to Montana's prohibition declaration.
Indicating that Govenlock had a promising future, the pioneer town had a chamber of commerce. But it was the liquor that fueled Govenlock's commerce. Four liquor warehouses were then established to serve the booming liquor trade. With liquor, there was gambling and parties, attracting not only the thirsty folks from across the border, but many bachelors from all parts of southwestern Saskatchewan who wanted to let loose.[2]
Over the years a pool room and dance hall which was a two-story building was built and owned by Henry Buss. During the early days of Govenlock, it was a place for Americans to meet and relax. As the Americans were waiting for their liquor orders, many would drop in, mingle with the business crowd in Govenlock, and settle down for a game of pool, and a game of high-stakes poker.
The revelry and good times were staples in Govenlock during their early days. The eager booze traders were also a staple in Govenlock. Americans would come to the pioneer town in their Fords, Studebakers, Packards, and Hudsons. The empty cars' rears were filled with sand bags until they go to the until they filled up at the liquor houses. This was done to avoid suspicion when they rode empty of booze. The Canadian beer cost 12 cents per barrel and was said to be highly prized. Each barrel had three burlap sacks, with 24 four-quart bottles - wrapped in straw - in each sack. A barrel wholesaled for $24. When it reached the United States, it sold for $140. A carload of 14 barrels of beer and five cases of whisky could fetch a profit of $2,500.
The bootlegging trade was good business for the next number of years and there were few legal hassles for the rumrunners. Mounties and provincial police would intervene to ensure that the liquor would end up in the hands of locals before crossing the United States border. Even a few of the Govenlock residents tried their hand at bootlegging, but they soon found out that more of the liquor was stolen than they could actually sell. To avoid few or no legal problems bootleggers would have to obtain a tourist pass at Canadian border entry points.
When 1922 rolled around, so did the end of bootlegging that fueled Govenlock's prosperity. It was then Saskatchewan announced it wanted better control of the liquor trade and restricted liquor export houses to cities with 10,000 people or more. This saw the start of a slow end of the once promising pioneer town of Govenlock. Over the years and one by one, stores and shops would soon close and residents would leave. In 1962 the only grain elevator left in Govenlock toppled and demolished. By 1990, most of the buildings that stood were demolished and that included that Govenlock Hotel. Today however the only building left is the community hall which was built in 1948. Also a commemorative plaque marks the area where Govenlock was located. It honors Govenlock's wild past and wild spirit of their hell-raising pioneer days.
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[edit] External links
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Maple Creek |
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| Manyberries |  |
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 Govenlock  |
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| Willow Creek |
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