Our early beginnings
Waskatenau is named after a Cree word meaning "opening in the bank". The
Village came into existence in 1919 after the railway came through the
area. Prior to this the area was known as Pine Creek. Pine Creek was
located near the North Saskatchewan river and it was the local post
office. The district's first post office, Pine Creek, was opened in 1907
in the home of F.O.Henry on the historic Victoria Trail.
Mr. Henry was the first
settler in the area to file for a homestead NW 34-58-19-4 in 1904. From
then on the home of the Henry’s also served as general store to the
area, a hard tile agency and later in 1913 as a telephone pay station.
In 1913 with a change in the government the post office was transferred
to the home of a neighbor, S.A McDonald who also had a store. Supplies
and mail for the settlers came by stage and barge.
Trips with horses or Oxes
was made to Bruderheim, Ft. Saskatchewan or Edmonton. For a time, around
1916, the steamboat, CITY OF EDMONTON picked up livestock and grain from
Pine Creek. By 1912 nearby every homestead in the surrounding area had
been taken, so when the railroad came through in 1919 the nucleus of the
hamlet formed near the tracks. Mr. Ira Fetteby was appointed postmaster
in Waskatenau and the Pine Creek office was closed.
By 1929 Waskatenau was
thriving and included: four general stores, hardware store, two barber
shops, one poolroom, one bank, a meat market, two confectionery shops,
one boarding house, one hotel, two restaurants, two blacksmiths, two
garages, five grain elevators, one bakery, two lawyers, one doctor, a
skating rink, a community hall, two churches and a three room school as
well as fifteen organizations.
In 1932 Waskatenau was
incorporated into a village with population of 200. The first councilors
were W.J. Boyd, Qeen Fosher, W, V Philips, Mr. Boyd becoming a mayor and
J.E. Vance secretary.
The school grew to seven
rooms to accommodate the larger population turning out many students who
have taken place in the world with responsible and high paying
positions. In 1982 the village celebrated its 50th anniversary since
incorporation. |
Prairie sentinels at sunset
Main Street Waskatenau
c. 1920's
Main Street Waskatenau
c. 1920's
- For a
detailed
history...
Get your copy of "By
River and Trail", a two-volume, 1350 pages set of hardcover
books that records the history of Waskatenau and 13 surrounding
school districts by visiting the local
library or
by contacting the Village Office at
[780-358-2208] or by emailing:
info@waskatenau.ca
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