Spiritwood, Saskatchewan
| Spiritwood | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
 Spiritwood
|
|
| Coordinates: 53°21′53″N 107°31′9″W / 53.36472°N 107.51917°W | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Saskatchewan |
| Rural Municipality | Spiritwood No. 496 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Gary von Holwede |
| • MLA Rosthern-Shellbrook | Scott Moe |
| • MP Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River | Georgina Jolibois |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.95 km2 (1.14 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 916 |
| • Density | 310.0/km2 (803/sq mi) |
| Time zone | Central Standard Time (UTC−6) |
| Postal code | S0J 2M0 |
| Highways | Hwy 3, Hwy 24, Hwy 376 |
| Website | "Town of Spiritwood Website". |
Spiritwood is a town in the boreal forest of central Saskatchewan, Canada with a population of approximately 1,000. Its location is 125 km west of Prince Albert and about 110 km northeast of North Battleford at the junction of Highway 3, Highway 24 and Highway 376. As the largest community in the region, the community functions as the major supply, service, and administrative headquarters for the trading area population which includes several First Nation reserves including Witchekan Lake, Big River and Pelican Lake.
The district began to be settled around 1911–12; however, growth in the area was slow until the coming of the railway in the late 1920s. The first settlers primarily engaged in ranching. The Spiritwood post office, which had been established in 1923, was named after Spiritwood Lake, North Dakota, the hometown of the first postmaster, Rupert J. Dumond. After the railway arrived, settlers of diverse origins poured into the district and many businesses were established. On October 1, 1935, Spiritwood was incorporated as a village and, by September 1, 1965, the community had grown large enough to attain town status.
This was the scene of the two deaths of RCMP officers in 2006, where after a 12-day manhunt, the suspect surrendered without incident.
Mixed farming predominates and consists primarily of grain production. A Spiritwood company with global connections that focuses on pig genetics, producing breeding stock and commercial swine, has roughly 50 employees. There is some forestry in the region north of Spiritwood.
The town has a complete range of recreational facilities.
Once renowned as hometown of the annual Silverbuckle Rodeo, a mid-summer attraction for many years, the grandstands are no more. "SpiritFest" is held annually in August. Spiritwood Museum is open seasonally throughout the summer months. The museum showcases the community's history, including an exhibition of antique farm tractors all freshly restored and in running condition. Campground facilities available with 12 sites (electrical hookups, water, and new black water dump installed in 2015) are conveniently located within walking distance of the community Tourist Booth and downtown shopping.
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Wikipedia