North Battleford

North Battleford
City
City of North Battleford

North Battleford City Hall

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North Battleford

Location of North Battleford in Saskatchewan

Coordinates: 52°45′27″N 108°17′10″W / 52.75750°N 108.28611°W / 52.75750; -108.28611
Country Canada
Province Saskatchewan
Census division Division #16
Village 1906
Town 1907
City 1913
Government
 • Mayor Ian Hamilton
 • MLA Herb Cox (SKP)
 • MP Gerry Ritz (CON)
Area
 • Land 33.55 km2 (12.95 sq mi)
 • Metro 1,122.99 km2 (433.59 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
 • City 13,888
 • Density 414.0/km2 (1,072/sq mi)
 • Metro 19,216
 • Metro density 17.1/km2 (44/sq mi)
Time zone CST (UTC−6)
Forward sortation area S9A
Area code(s) 306, 639
Website City of North Battleford
[2][3]

North Battleford is a small city in west central Saskatchewan, Canada. It is directly across the North Saskatchewan River from the town of Battleford. Together, the two communities are known as "The Battlefords". North Battleford borders the Rural Municipality of North Battleford No. 437, as well as the North Battleford Crown Colony (census subdivision).[4]

The Battlefords are served by the Yellowhead Highway and Highway 4, Highway 26, Highway 29, and Highway 40.

Battlefords Provincial Park[5] is 40 km north on Highway 4.

History

Library Clock as Seen from Central Park
Residential Street North Battleford

For thousands of years prior to European settlement, succeeding cultures of indigenous peoples lived in the area. The Battlefords area (including the present city of North Battleford and town of Battleford) was home to several historic aboriginal groups, including the Algonquian-speaking Cree and Blackfeet as well as Siouan Assiniboine First Nation band governments, who contested for control of local resources.

Early European settlement began as a result of fur trading by French colonists in the late 18th century. The Canadians founded Fort Montaigne d'Aigle (Eagle Hills Fort) nine miles below the confluence of the Saskatchewan and Battle Rivers in 1778.[6] A year later the fort was abandoned following conflict between traders and natives.

Permanent European settlement in the area centred around the town of Battleford, founded 1875 and located on the south side of the North Saskatchewan River. Battleford served as capital of the North-West Territories between 1876 and 1883.[7]

In 1905 the construction of the Canadian Northern Railway main line to Edmonton placed the line on the north side of the North Saskatchewan River. North Battleford, built along the railway line, was incorporated as village in 1906, a town in 1907 and a city (with population 5000) in 1913.[8]

The Assyrians were one of the first settlers of the area in and around North Battleford. The immigrant colony comprised 36 men and a few women from the town of Urmia in northwestern Persia. It was established in 1903 by Dr. Isaac Adams, an Assyrian Presbyterian missionary. In 1907, 40 more settlers arrived. Eventually, due to economic hardships, Dr. Isaac Adams and a few close relatives emigrated to Turlock, California. The descendents of the families who remained in North Battleford have names that are Assyrian in origin. Examples of Assyrian family names include Bakus, Essau, and Odishaw.[9][10]

Population growth stagnated until the 1940s and then grew to approximately 10,000 by the 1960s. The city has grown into an administrative centre and service hub for the economic, education, health and social needs of the region.

The Latter Rain Revival, a Christian movement, started here in 1946–48.[11]

Historic sites

A number of heritage buildings are located within the city. The North Battleford Public Library was built in 1916 with a $15,000 grant from the Carnegie Foundation of New York.[12] and the Canadian National Railways Station was built in 1956.[13]

Climate

North Battleford experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb). The average high during the end of July is 25C (76F) and the average low is 11C (52F).[14] For the middle of January the average high is -12C (10F) and the average low is -23C (-9F).[15]


View of North Battleford from King Hill showing the Yellowhead Highway leading to Battleford.

In January 2012 many reports were made, in and around North Battleford, of strange aerial noises.[17]

Demographics

Census Population
1911 2,105
1921 4,108
1931 5,986
1941 4,694
1951 7,473
1961 11,230
1971 12,698
1981 14,030
1991 14,350
2001 13,692
2006 13,190
2011 13,888

North Battleford has Census data as a city, as a population centre which includes the town of Battleford and as a metropolitan area. In the Canada Census of 2011 the city had a population of 13,888, the population centre had 17,595[18](the fifth largest in Saskatchewan) and the metropolitan area had 19,216.[19]

In the late 2000s many Ruthenians have emigrated to Canada, concentrating in North Battleford. Most of them came from the same town of Ruski Krstur.[20]

Population by ethnic group, 2011
Ethnic group[24] Population Percent
European 10,270 75.3%
First Nations 2,340 17.2%
Métis 1,160 8.5%
Asian 795 5.8%
African 145 1.1%
Total respondent population 13635 100%

Attractions

Pioneer village at the Saskatchewan Western Development Museum in North Battleford

North Battleford is the home of one of four branches of the Saskatchewan Western Development Museum. This branch focuses on the agricultural history of Saskatchewan, including a pioneer village.[25] A prominent feature is the former Saskatchewan Wheat Pool grain elevator No. 889 from Keatley, Saskatchewan. The grain elevator was moved to the museum grounds in 1983.[26]

The city also has the Allen Sapp Gallery, featuring a noted Cree painter.

Allen Sapp Gallery

Sports and recreation

NationsWest Field House interior
North Battleford Civic Centre

The North Battleford Civic Centre, a 2,500-seat multi-purpose arena, is home to the Battlefords North Stars ice hockey team of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.[27] It is also home to the North Battleford Kinsmen Indoor Rodeo, held annually in April.

The North Battleford CUplex (Credit Union CUplex),[28][29] which opened in 2013, includes the Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts,[30] the Northland Power Curling Centre,[31] the NationsWest Field House,[32] and the Battlefords CO-OP Aquatic Centre.[33]

Infrastructure

In 2001 a problem with the city's water system led to the infection of approximately 6280 people with cryptosporidiosis; a lawsuit for several million dollars in damages was filed in 2003.[34] Between 5800 and 7100 people suffered from diarrheal illness, and 1907 cases of cryptosporidiosis were confirmed. Equipment failures at the city's antiquated water filtration plant following maintenance were found to have caused the outbreak.[35] North Battleford Energy Centre has been operational since 2010 with 170 MW gas fired turbine, providing boost to city Economy.

Transportation

North Battleford is served by the North Battleford Airport, while the North Battleford/Hamlin Airport is no longer in use. The city also recently added a public transit system, in addition to the book-as-needed "Handi-bus" for the handicapped.

Local media

Newspaper

The local newspaper is the Battlefords' News-Optimist.[36] It is published weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and has circulation in the surrounding area.

The Battlefords' Daily News[37] is a widely read online publication of news and local events which is updated regularly.

Feed The Artist Magazine[38] is a local non-profit periodical print and online publication that features the work of primarily local artists, photographers, and writers.

Radio

Three local radio stations serve the area; CJNB, CJCQ-FM ("Q98"), and CJHD-FM ("93.3 The Rock"). Some Saskatoon radio stations can also be received.

Television

The Battlefords are served by CFQC-TV-2 channel 6, an analogue repeater of CTV station CFQC-DT Saskatoon.

Notable residents

References

  1. ↑ "2011 Community Profiles". Statistics Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved 2013-12-06.
  2. ↑ National Archives, Archivia Net. "Post Offices and Postmasters". Retrieved 2013-12-06.
  3. ↑ Government of Saskatchewan, MRD Home. "Municipal Directory System". Retrieved 2013-12-06.
  4. ↑ geodepot.statcan.ca
  5. ↑ The Battlefords Provincial Park
  6. ↑ atlas.nrcan.gc.ca
  7. ↑ esask.uregina.ca
  8. ↑ esask.uregina.ca
  9. ↑ Ishaya, Arian. "Migration and Settlement". Multicultural Canada. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
  10. ↑ Higgs, Jennifer. "Presby-assyrians". Presbyterian Record. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
  11. ↑ christianity-guide.com
  12. ↑ "North Battleford Public Library". Retrieved 2013-12-07.
  13. ↑ "Canadian National Railways Station". Retrieved 2013-12-07.
  14. ↑ "Climate Data Almanac for July 31". Environment Canada. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Climate Data Almanac for January 10". Environment Canada. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
  16. ↑ Environment Canada - Canadian Climate Normals 1971-2000—Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000, accessed 6 December 2010
  17. ↑
  18. ↑ Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and population centres, 2011 and 2006 censuses: Saskatchewan Statistics Canada. Retrieved December 14, 2013
  19. ↑ "2011 Census Statistics Canada". Retrieved 2013-12-14.
  20. ↑ "Battlefords ride immigration wave". The StarPhoenix. CanWest. April 28, 2008. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
  21. ↑ "2011 Community Profiles". Canada 2011 Census. Statistics Canada. July 5, 2013. Retrieved 2014-07-25.
  22. ↑ "2006 Community Profiles". Canada 2006 Census. Statistics Canada. March 30, 2011. Retrieved 2014-07-25.
  23. ↑ "2001 Community Profiles". Canada 2001 Census. Statistics Canada. February 17, 2012. Retrieved 2014-07-25.
  24. ↑ "NHS Profile, North Battleford, CY, Saskatchewan, 2011 (The sum of the ancestries in this table is greater than the total population estimate because a person may report more than one ancestry (ethnic origin) in the National Household Survey.)". 2011. Retrieved 2014-06-14.
  25. ↑ "Western Development Museum - North Battleford". Wdm.ca. Retrieved 2013-08-13.
  26. ↑ Leslee Newman, WDM Curatorial Centre. "WDM's iconic elevator needs help". Battlefords News-Optimist. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  27. ↑ "North Battleford Civic Centre". Retrieved 2014-03-08.
  28. ↑ "NEWS RELEASE - MAY 24, 2013 (NORTH BATTLEFORD CELEBRATES NEW COMPLEX)". Retrieved 2014-03-08.
  29. ↑ "Barr-Ryder Architecture (The Credit Union Cuplex)". Retrieved 2014-03-08.
  30. ↑ "Dekker Centre for the performing arts (The Credit Union Cuplex)". Retrieved 2014-03-08.
  31. ↑ "The Battlefords News-Optimist (Northland Power Curling Centre officially open by John Cairns)". Retrieved 2014-03-08.
  32. ↑ "The Battlefords News-Optimist (NationsWEST Field House now open by John Cairns)". Retrieved 2014-03-08.
  33. ↑ "Barr-Ryder Architecture (BATTLEFORDS CO-OP AQUATIC CENTRE)". Retrieved 2014-03-08.
  34. ↑ "Waterborn cryptosporidosis outbreak, North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Spring 2001". Canada Communicable Disease Report (Public Health Agency of Canada). 27-22. November 15, 2001. Retrieved 2010-11-01.
  35. ↑ "WATERBORNE CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS OUTBREAK, NORTH BATTLEFORD, SASKATCHEWAN, SPRING 2001" (PDF). Retrieved 2014-03-08.
  36. ↑ Battlefords' News Optimist
  37. ↑ The Battlefords' Daily News
  38. ↑ Feed The Artist Magazine

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to North Battleford, Saskatchewan.
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Coordinates: 52°45′27″N 108°17′10″W / 52.75750°N 108.28611°W / 52.75750; -108.28611

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