The Canadian National Railway under construction reached Humboldt September 1904.

The first building was a log restaurant. This was built by Mr. Rath. It was situated on the north side of the track. The chief part of the meal was rabbit, since no other meat was available.

Among the first buildings to be erected here was the Depot and temporary quarters for the Railroad and a temporary Round House.

Mr. John McTaggart, from Winnepeg was early on the ground, being a relative of Sir Wm. McKenzie was given preference in getting his material on the ground for his Hardware Store. He carried a complete stock of Hardware, and later sold out to the Great Northern Lumber Company. This store was built before the town was surveyed.

Mr. Henderson from Winnipeg was an early settler, establishing a Lumber Hardware business. He built in the north-west part of the town, before the survey. This business was later sold to Ritz and Yoeger.

The first General Merchants in the town were the Great Northern Lumber Company, carrying a stock of general merchandise, hardware and lumber.

The store was built on the south side of the track, was a tar-papered building and was situated where the old fire hall now stands. The Fire Hall was a frame structure, the front part used for the storage of the fire engine and hose and the back part for housing the pump. The well was a producer of good water, and supplied the needs of the delivery being made to all who wished it.

The pioneer merchants and early business men of the town are made up as follows: Andrew George; A. J. Kepkey; E. T. Wallace; Freeman Young; Jno. Cummings; T. McLocklin; John McTaggart; Mr. Henderson; J. H. Lyons; Otto Ritz; J. G. Yoerger; F. K. Wilson; G. B. Richardson; George Bushey; Joe Bushey; A. E. Pike; W. R. Bell; F. B. Davidson; E. G. Walker; Dr. D. B. Neely; O. W. Andreasen; A. J. Kruse; F. Heidgerken; Telfer Bros; J. M. Crerar; A. J. Borget; Hy. Haskamp; John Speak; Howson Bros; G. Schaeffer; John Schaeffer; A. E. Rouse; Tom Kidd; George Barnes; Robt. Walker; George Ritz.

The first overseer of the village was J. H. Lyons, and he followed by Jo W. Lowes, to whom great credit should be given for his work in getting the town established. It was during his term of office as overseer that plans were made for the incorporation of the village as a town. He ran for the office of mayor but was defeated by a small margin by O. W. Andreasen. The latter was the first mayor of Humboldt. During his term of office many local improvements were made, water works, electric lights and many miles of sidewalks.

The town was organized into a school district in 1905. The first trustees were George Ritz, E. G. Walker, J. G. Yoerger. The first school teachers were Miss Alma Lyons and Miss Scanlan. There being no school building, school was held in the Presbyterian church.

The Presbyterian church was the first church established here in 1905, the Rev. Jos. Hunter being the first Missionary. He came directly from Scottland. This church was later sold to the Salvation Army and they are still carrying on in the same building.

The next church to be established here was the Anglican. They built close to where the Post Office now stands. This building was later moved to their own property, and it is still used as a vestry.

The Roman Catholic Church held their services in the old Great Northern Store on the south side of the track. This building was later torn down and rebuilt near their present church on First Avenue and then later used as a school.

The C. N. R. dug wells for their supply of water for the round house but they found it was not suitable and later ran a pipe line to a slough two miles out.

The pioneer settlers drove in from Rosthern and Saskatoon, before the railroad was built. They mostly all lived in log shacks, a few of them had horses, but most of them had none. They came to town over the trails which were very good; they wound around the sloughs and bluffs. The south trail served the south country. It ran along by Geo. Barnes', Hubert Kopp's, around Stoney Lake and Joe Thole's, and out by the old Humboldt telegraph station. The old station was a log building and it was replaced by the building that now stands on the site. The lumber and materials used were feighted across country by horses from Saskatoon. Mr. McDonald was the first operator. Over the south trail it was a common sight to see dozen of teams hauling out materials and provisions to build up the town of Lanigan, Guernsey and Watrous. The settlers in these districts came into Humboldt for all their supplies.

The trails through the country in the summer months were very pretty, winding in and around the bluffs, and it was common sight to see deer, wolves and other game close to the trails.

The mail was distributed from Rosthern on the C.N.R. and came across from Rostern by stage to Muenster; some one from town went to Muenster on Saturday for the mail. It was distrbuted in the Great Northern Store, and later the post office was establised in Lowes & Kepkey General Store; J. W. Lowes being the postmaster. Later it was moved to a building next door owned by R. J. Kepkey, and Mr. Kepkey received the appoitment of postmaster and still holds the office.

The first passenger train arrived May 1905; there was great excitement and all the townspeople were down to see it come in. We had mail and train service every other day. The first settlers of the town came in on the work trains in the caboose.

The first celebration was held in 1905, July 1st, on the commons on the south side of the town. It was quite a wonderful celebration--floats, horse racing, baseball, football. The town was decorated for the occasions with flags, bunting and small green poplars. Dorothea Kepkey was Miss Humboldt. This was quite appropriate, as she as the first child to arrive in the place. The float was made up on W. R. Bell's dray and had a canopy top. Dorothea sat in state on the float.

The first fire was the Windsor Hotel; it was burned while under construction. The structure was up and a temporary stairway was partly lathed; a strong north wind was blowing and it was supposed someone had spilled coal oil down the stairway and set it on fire. The flames and sparks flew south and huge chunks of blackened shingles were picked up three miles out. There was a restaurant next door; several men escaped in their night clothes, but were badly burned and were taken to the drug store where Dr. Neely and Mr. and Mrs Wallace tried to relieve their suffering. One man and his dog burned to death. The man was buried on the commons on the south side and later removed to the cemetary. Mr. Tom Kidd, who was working on his engine when the fire broke out, gave the alarm, and the roar of the fire woke the citizens; the inside of the shacks and the sky were red from the fire. The people living on the south side had to get on the roof with brooms to brush off the sparks as they fell on the roofs.

1907 -- Humboldt -- 1928
The Town of Humboldt was incorporated April 1st, 1907, the mayor and counsillors elected being:

Mayor--O. W. Andreasen
Council--J. J Stiegler, Otto Ritz, Adam Zilliax, E. G. Walker, R. Morrison, J. K. Gabel.

First secretary of the town was E. T. Wallace. In the first election 122 names were on the voter's list and 110 voted.

In the early years of the town the northern limits extended only to first avenue. Soon afterwards, the quarter section of land, upon which the court house stands, was acquired and subdivided, and has since become one of the important residential sections of the town.

Humboldt's big years of expansion were 1911, 1912 and 1913.

A vast amount of local improvements were accomplished by the town officials in the early years following incorporation. Among the first work undertaking was the grading of the streets and the laying of plank and cement sidewalks, then later being extended to practically every part of the town.

In 1911 there was a strong agitation for a rink. As sufficient private funds could not be easily secured, the town council undertook the proposition and an up to date skating and curling rink was erected, the funds being raised by way of debentures. This was one of the first municipal owned rinks to be built in the west.

The erection of another civic building took place in 1912, when the combined town and fire hall was built.

In this year also another important public improvement, that of the installation of a complete waterworks and sewerage system. This work commenced the same year, entailed a very large capital outlay for the installation of the system, with its water and sewer pipes, water tower, ejector station, pumping station at the lake (source of water supply), sewage disposal works, etc.

The quarter section of land, known as the park grounds, was given to the town by the Dominion government. This property should prove a great asset to the town in the years to come.

The hospital was built by the Sisters of St. Elizabeth in 1912, and has been enlarged several ties to meet the demand for accommodation.

Humboldt was made a port of entry for customs in 1907, and a few years later the present post office building was erected.

The provicial telephones were installed in 1910. In 1913, Humboldt was made

Humboldt Celebrates 21st Anniversary
Humboldt's twenty-first anniversary as a town was fittingly celebratedon Monday, April 2nd. The town was gaily decorated with flags and bunting, and the electric illuminations in the evening gave the streets a fine effect. Souveniers of the anniversary were distributed to the children and to the public.

It was principally children's day, and the program during the afternoon was for their benefit and entertainment. They appeared to have had a happy time.

The corner stone of the city hall was laid by Mayor Crawley at 11 o'clock in the forenoon. The Mayor explained that as the stone had not been received at the time the hall was built, it could not therefore be laid at that time. It was therefore thought fitting to perform the ceremony on this 21st anniversary of the town. Coun. E. S. Wilson acted as chairman of the proceedings, and Rev. F. J. Stevens offered the blessing.

The following were deposited in the stone: List of mayors and councillors, from 1907 to 1928; history of the town, by Mrs. Kepkey; coins; copy of The Humboldt Journal; 21st anniversary badge; plan of the town; a cheque; note forms and pencils.

At three o'clock the school children gathered at one point, and headed by the citzen's band, playing patriotic selections marched through the streets. The senior grades went to the town hall and the junior grades to the parish hall, the two buildings being filled to their capacity. The younger children were taken to the public school, where suitable entertainment was provided for them.

Addresses were given by A. J. Kruse, at the parish hall and R. A. Teifer, at the town hall, both ex-mayors, dealing with the history of the town from its inception to the present time, reviewing its growth, its early citizens and comparing the Humboldt of today to that of 1907. Choruses of "'O' Canada" were sung also choruses by a troupe of high school girls, one entitled, "Hail Humboldt," specially written for the occasion by Miss G. Moffat. This proved very popular. Miss Phyllis Thompson also gave a solo. The Hon. S. J. Latta, provincial secretary, and Mayor G. W. Norman, of Saskatoon, visited each hall inturn and delivered appropriate addresses. L. A. Lowney, an animal imitator, and J. Knight, a magician, both of Saskatoon, delighted the children with a few stunts. Coun. A. M. Kelly was chairman of the town hall meeting, and Rev. F. J. Stevens presided at the parish hall.

At the conclusion of the programs, bags of candy and Eskimo pies were distributed, bringing to a close an enjoyable afternoon for the children.

Anniversary Banquet Stirring Address By Hon. S. J. Latta And Mayor Norman
Nearly one hundred people attended the 21st anniversary banquet at the Arlington hotel in the evening, and which was one of the most enjoyable and successful functions of its kind ever held here. Mayor Crawley presided.

On last Friday, a wire had been sent to the Governor-General, inviting him to stop off at Humboldt for the anniversary celebration. The following reply was read: "Their Excellencies much regret their itinerary does not take them through Humboldt so they are unable to accept your kind invitation to vistit the city. Their Excellencies ought to visit Humboldt on some future occasion." (Signed) Melville, seceratary.

Messages of regret at being unable to be present were also read from A. F. Totzke, M. P., B. T. Chappel, Saskatoon, and G. R. Watson, Dauphi.

Among the out of town guest were Hon. S. J. Latta, minister of municipal affairs, J. J. Smith, deputy minister, Mayor G. W. Norman,of Saskatoon, J. C. Crawford and J. A. McLean, of the Canadian National Railways, and W. F. Pillar, supt. of the Canadian National Express Co.

Following the toast "The King," the toast to "The Town of Humboldt" was proposed by Mayor Norman, of Saskatoon. He was glad, he said, “to have the opportunity to join with the people of Humboldt in celebrating their 21st anniversary,” and he brought greetings from Saskatoon to the people of Humboldt. From what had been told, Humboldt was making a wonderful recovery from the slump of a few years ago, and he noted that the town was now forging ahead and was sure it would continue to show progress for many years to come. Many municipalities had an assessment based on inflated values previous to the war, and it took several years before values were ajusted. Situated in a fine agricultural district, and being an important railway centre, Mayor Norman felt sure that this town would continue to grow and prosper.

Mr. J. G. Yoeger replied to this toast and recalled some of the difficulties of the early citizens of the town and the early settlers. He hoped to see the time when we would be celebrating our incorporation as a city.

Mr. E. S. Wilson proposed the toast "Our Province." The subject was too big, he said, to attempt to give many details. He was reminded that when he first came west and stopped at Moosomin, he was told that was the edge of the wheat belt. Since then this great district in which we are located had been opened and settled, and which was recognized as one of the best agricultural districts in the west. He recalled the first legislature of Saskatchewan, with Hon. Walter Scott as premier, and Sir F. W. G. Haultain leader of the opposition. The men on both sides of the house were all great men, great statesmen, and indicaton of some of the outstanding men that this provice had produced.

Hon. S. J. Latta, minister of municipal affairs, in replying to this toast delivered one of the most interestig and instructive addresses ever heard in Humboldt dealing with the size, resources and future possibilities of the province. With regard to the size of Saskatchewan he said that if it were possible to transplant the whole of the British Isles of Man, the Orkneys, on the surface of Saskatchewan, there would still be plenty of room to walk around Saskatchewan soil. Or if it were possible, with the aid of an airplane, to lay a tape along the whole of the road allowances of the province, and then wind up again, there would be suffcient to go around the world eight times and a bit over to tie onto the tower of London. And amid laughter, the speaker hoped those present, in view of the length that when they were stuck in the mud with their cars and tempted to grumble about the state of the roads, they would have a little sympathy for the Minister of Highways. Contiuing, the speaker said the province had great resources, most of which were only just beginning to be touched, sufficient to sustain a population of thirty millions of people, and enough grain was grown to supply the whole of the Empire. Yet, he declared, all these things do not make a great province. The greatness of a town, province or country, depended on the people. He cited the case of England in its early days; how the people of that time lived in groups, Essex, Wessex, Anglia, Nothumbia, etc., each having its own king. Wars took place between them, but after a time each little group came to know each other better, Teuton, Pict, Scots, Celts, Saxons, etc. As time went on they mixed more and finally decided to have only one kingdom and the best traits of character of all these people came to the top and formed the nucleus of the great British Empire of today. Similarly, Canada today had a cosmopolitan people. Irish, Scotch, French, German, American, etc. everyone of whom had something good about them. Would it not be a happy thing for Canada, he said, if we could get the happy disposition of the Irish, the thrift of the Scotsman, the assiduity of the German and the polish of the Frenchman, all combined into one strong people.

A toast to "The Old Timers" was proposed by Mr. A. M. Kelly, who said that all honor was due to the old timers who helped to make the town what it is today.

A J. Kruse, replying said he was one of the real old timers, coming here in 1904, when there were only a few shacks south of the tracks. An indication of the development of the district was the fact that in 1906 the first elevator was built and this handled all the grain from a radius of thirty and forty miles.

Mr. F. Hauser also spoke to this toast. He referred to a trip he made in 1895, from Prince Albert to the old Humboldt station, south of the present Humboldt. He travelled by way of Crooked Lake and Basin Lake. In 1901 he was taking the census, and the only settler he could find in this vast territory was a rancher near Prud'homme.

A toast to "The Canadian National Railways" was proposed by Dr. J. C. King, who said the railway had helped more than anything else in the building up of the town. The officials of the company had always been good friends of Humboldt, and those who had occupied public positions knew of the co-operation the town had always received from the railway officials.

M. E. Dohm, a pioneer engineer on the railway, replied. Any town, he said, that happened to be made a divisional point, such as Humboldt, was fortnate, as it undoubtedly had a great deal to do with the town's growth and development.

Mr. F. H. Bence, in proposing a toast to "Our Visitors," reminded them of our popular little sea, known as Waldsea lake, and thought that every visitor to the town missed something if they were not taken out to see this beauty spot. Mr. Bence drew the attention of the department of the municipal affairs to th fact that no provision for renumeration for mayors and councillors was provided, such as is provided in cities and rural municipalities.

Mr. J. J. Smith, deputy miister of municipal affairs, replying, said that all the visitors present were certainly glad that Humboldt was celebrating today as they all had a most pleasant time. He quoted from departmental records showing the first steps that had been taken to form a village, and afterwards a town.