| October 19, 1905 | Volume 1, No.1 | $1.00 Per Annum |
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The town of Humboldt, named after the great traveller and explorer Alexander Von Humboldt, who was travelling through North America and also Western Canada in the early part of the nineteenth century, and whose books of experience with the red men are well known, is situated partly on the North-East Quarter of Section 19 and North-West Quarter of Section 20 of Township 37, Range 22, west of the Second Meridian, just seven miles north-east of the old mail station. Humboldt, on the old freighting trail known as the Qu'Appelle, Prince Albert trail, but not only to freighters and plain hunters of the early days but also known to many eastern men who volunteered in the Riel rebellion of 1885 as the place where provisions and ammunition were stored for use at the front. The town is not yet one year old, the track of the Canadian Northern Railway being laid through here in the early part of October of last year, and the first passenger train arrived in the early part of March, 1905. The first building was erected in the latter part of October by the Great Northern Lumber Company, who started the first business. A short time later Messrs. Henderson and McTaggart commenced the erection of buildings, both gentlemen intending to open in hardware business, but the former sold out the firm of Ritz & Yoeger, and then later sold to The Great Northern Lumber Co. In January Mr. G. Schaeffer, who kept a store four miles west of town, moved into Humboldt and opened up a general store known as the Pioneer store. From that time the town grew rapidly, and with the opening of spring business places commenced going up on all sides, so that in a very few months, from a bare, barren prairie, Humboldt sprang like magic into a thriving, prosperous and hustling village, with a class of business men that are energetic and business like. With the advent of the railway came settlers and landseekers, a steady stream of immigration pouring into the town and country during the whole summer. One of the first important events of the town was its incorporation as a village, which took place on July 1st, Mr. J. A. Lyons being elected the first overseer. The first hotel was built by Mr. Geo. Bushey, who commenced the erection of his building in November, 1904. After running the house a short time |
he sold to Mr. A. B. Buie, of Grand View, who still owns it. Several additions have been added in a endeavour to provide accommodation for the tremendous traffic, but even now this hostelry is taxed beyond its capacity. But with the opening of another new three-storey hotel in the course of a week or two, this inconvenience will be overcome, and travellers and others stopping at Humboldt will be sure of securing good accommodation. Situated 425 miles west of Winnipeg and about the same distance east of Edmonton, it will undoubtedly become the principle railway centre between those two points. A branch line will also be constructed from Humboldt, running north through the Hoodoo country which will add to its importance as a railway centre. The C.N.R. have a seven stall roundhouse here where a large staff of workmen are employed night and day in the works. A detachment of the Royal North-West Mounted Police are stationed here, and render great assistance in maintaining law and order. The town of Humboldt is situated in one of the best farming districts in the North-West, and intending settlers, whether wishing to purchase land or take up a homestead, will find here an ample selection of the very choicest lands to choose from. Business and professional enterprises of all descriptions are fairly well represented, as the following list will show :
The Great Northern Lumber Company, hardware and lumber.
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