Humboldt, Saskatchewan

Humboldt is a Saskatchewan city located 113 km east of Saskatoon at the junction of Highway 5 and Highway 20. Humboldt is the province's newest city, receiving its city charter in 2000.

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 name “Humboldt” was approved in 1875 for the site in the North West Territories along the Canadian Pacific Telegraph Line at which a repair station was built (8 km south-west of the present city site). Built in 1878, the Humboldt Telegraph Station [http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/pm.php?id=exhibit_home&fl=0&lg=English&ex=85] played an integral part in communications for the developing west.cite web|url=http://www.cityofhumboldt.ca/default.aspx?page=31|title=Humboldt History|publisher=City of Humboldt|accessdate=2008-09-12] With the Metis uprising led by Louis Riel taking place at Batoche just 100 km northwest, Humboldt became the important communication link between Prime Minister John A. Macdonald and his forces in the west. It was also a site of strategic importance. General Middleton arrived in April 1885 with 950 soldiers, established a garrison at the station and used it as his base for scouting operations. At that time, the Humboldt station was crucial, since the telegraph line further west was periodically cut, so Humboldt was the last secure link to the east. On May 1, 1885, Humboldt became the site of a large supply depot under Maj. Lt. -Colonel G. T. Denison, of the Governor Generals Body Guard. A combined force of approximately 460 men built an elaborate series of entrenchments, which converted the station into a fortified military encampment to protect the supplies. The troops left Humboldt in July 1885.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 1940s 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.

Demographics

Canada_CP_2006|pop=4,998|popDelta=-3.2%
landArea=11.72|popDensity=426.4|popRank=320|medianAge=41.9|medianAgeM=39.5|medianAgeF=44.5
privateDwell=2,343|privateDwellusual=2,192|medianHHIncome=37,174

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 [http://www.robmuench.com Rob Muench] .

Humboldt has many large murals depicting its history located on building walls throughout the city.Since opening in 1982, the [http://www.humboldtmuseum.ca/ Humboldt and District Museum and Gallery] has been located in a 1912 national historic site with its landmark tower clock. The building was originally built to house the community’s post office and customs office. The structure featured a “Richardson Romanesque Style” style of architecture which is based on mass, volume and scale for its overall effect rather than enriched or decorative detail. Humboldt’s postal services were delivered from this building from 1912 to 1975 and the customs office operated from 1912 to 1932. The Humboldt detachment of the RCMP had their offices and living quarters on the second floor from 1933 to 1964. The museum includes three floors of exhibits on the history of Humboldt and area, an archives and research room, Sports Hall of Fame collection, art exhibitions, and extensive community programming.

The [http://watertower.isask.ca/ Humboldt 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.

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 convert|4|mi|km west of Humboldt along Saskatchewan Highway 5 and two miles (3 km) south is the Kloppenburg Wildlife Refuge. It consists of convert|160|acre|km2 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.

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.

Sports

Humboldt is home to the [http://www.humboldtbroncos.com 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 [http://www.humboldtspeedskatingclubblog.blogspot.com]

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

External links

* [http://www.cityofhumboldt.ca/ City of Humboldt official website]
* [http://www.myhumboldt.com/ MyHumboldt.com]

References

Canadian City Geographic Location
North=Wakaw
West=Saskatoon
Center=Humboldt
East=Watson
South=Lanigan