Humboldt, Saskatchewan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Humboldt is a Saskatchewan city located 113 km east of Saskatoon at the junction of Highway 5 and Highway 20. The province's newest city, it received its city charter in 2000.
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[edit] History
Named after the German explorer, Humboldt began as a telegraph station located on the Carlton Trail, a wagon route used in the early days of Canada as a route from Fort Winnipeg to Fort Edmonton. The trail was used by General Middleton's troups who camped near Humboldt and Humboldt Lake on their way to the Reil Rebellion. The area was also the site of the first stage coach robbery in Western Canada. Parts of the Carlton Trial in the form of wagon tracks still exist in the Humboldt area.
Humboldt in its beginnings was primarily German Catholic and to this date that has been the predominant cultural characteristic of the community. Immigration to the area from both the Northern Plains States of the USA and from Germany was promoted by the German American Land Company. St Peter's Abbey at Muenster was established by Benedictine Monks coming there from St John's Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota. Many immigrants from Germany settled in areas in and around Humboldt such as Muenster, 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.
Until the 1970's Humboldt had a small Jewish community (less than 10 families) which played a prominent role in its business life, and which contributed generously to its cultural life.
After being established as a city, Humboldt became an important location in Saskatchewan's "Iron Triangle", and is also known as the sure-crop district for its reliable growing weather. This led Humboldt to become a centre for farming equipment and supply businesses. It is also the home of several manufacturing plants including Doepker Industries, Del-Air Systems, Romperland Playground Structures, CIM, and Coil-Tech. Humboldt and area is also the centre of Saskatchewan's Hog Producing area. Big Sky Farms and Stomp Pork Farms are two of Canada's largest pork producers.
Today Humboldt still has a large farm based economy from manufacturing and livestock, although the 2006 census reveals its population as of that year dipped slightly below the 5,000 threshold for city status, although not enough to endanger its city charter. Small Text
[edit] Demographics
According to the Canada 2006 Census[1]:
| • Population: | 4,998 (-3.2% from 2001) |
| • Land area: | 11.72 km² (4.53 sq mi) |
| • Population density: | 426.4 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,104 /sq mi) |
| • National population rank (Out of 5,008): | Ranked 320 |
| • Median age: | 41.9 (males: 39.5, females: 44.5) |
| • Total private dwellings: | 2,343 |
| • Dwellings occupied by permanent residents: | 2,192 |
| • Mean household income: | $37,174 |
[edit] Humboldt Landmarks
Humboldt boasts Canada's Largest postage stamp, a replica of a John Diefenbaker $.17 stamp circulated by Canada post. The stamp was painted by Humboldt Artist Rob Muench.
Humboldt has many large murals depicting its history located on building walls throughout the city.
The two most iconic landmarks in Humboldt are the Humboldt and District Museum and Gallery and the Water Tower. The Humboldt and District Museum and Gallery is located in the old post office, complete with clock tower. It also holds Humboldt's Sports Hall of Fame. The Water Tower, previously condemned to be torn down, is being funded by community groups who wish to preserve this part of the city's heritage.
[edit] Facilities
Humboldt has three elementary schools, two Catholic (St. Augustine and St. Dominic) and one public (Humboldt Public School). It has one high school (Humboldt Collegiate Institute), which is public. There is also a satellite of the University of Saskatchewan, St. Peter's College located in Muenster. St. Peter's College also hosts many sporting and arts events. Humboldt is in the process of building a new hospital facility on the north end of the city, the facility will serve Humboldt and district. Humboldt has a museum downtown, an Antique and Vintage Museum south of the city and one public library. The Uniplex is Humboldt's recreational facility with curling rink, one skating and hockey rink and an indoor aquatic centre featuring a waterslide, large pool, whirlpool, kiddie pool and a community centre for conventions and meetings. There is one indoor mall, The Humboldt Mall as well as several strip malls and a vibrant downtown district. The city also features one of Saskatchewan's nicest 18 hole golf courses. The course is located next to Wateridge Park a lake-front urban park, and the Humboldt Historical Park and Campground.
Situate 4 miles west of Humboldt along Saskatchewan Highway 5 and two miles south is the Kloppenburg Wildlife Refuge. It consists of 160 acres of land which have never been cultivated. This property was donated to provide to future generations an example of the vegetation and natural conditions of the land around Humboldt before European settlement after 1900.
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.
[edit] Events
The Humboldt Polkafest is held early in summer (May-June), and is a weekend of Polka music, dancing, and German food.
The Summer Sizzler and Rodeo is held around July 1 (Canada Day) and features pro rodeo, the Jaycee Demolition Derby as well as a number of other events. There is also a parade downtown and other activities held at Centennial Park.
Oktoberfest is a celebration of Humboldt's German Heritage featuring good beer and good sausage, held in the fall at the Uniplex.
[edit] Sports
Humboldt is home to the Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.
Humboldt also has a high school 9-man Football program known as HCI Mohawks.
The Humboldt Speed Skating Club is nationally renowned. The club is home to several Canadian and a North American speed skating champion. Humboldt speed skaters regularly win Provincial, Canadian and North American medals. Two Humboldt speed skaters presently (2008) rank in the top ten junior skaters in the country and train at the National training center, the Calgary Olympic Oval. Humboldt speed skating blog[1]
[edit] Notables
Notable persons who were born, grew up in or established their fame in Humboldt, Saskatchewan:
- Jack Adams, former clerk at Arlington Hotel who founded and owned much of the Canadian division of Holiday Inns
- Kelly Bates, BC Lions guard
- Al Duerr, former mayor of Calgary, Alberta
- Glenn Hall, professional ice hockey goaltender
- Otto Lang, Rhodes Scholar, Law School Dean, Federal Cabinet Minister, and Executive
- Brad Lauer, former professional ice hockey player
- Rusty Malinoski, professional wakeboarder
- Kyle McLaren, San Jose Sharks defenceman
- Brendan Witt, New York Islanders defenceman
- Ann Saddlemyer, world renowned Scholar, former Head of Massey College, University of Toronto
- Jeremy Wotherspoon, speed skater
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