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| Geography |  The City of Humboldt is strategically located in Central Saskatchewan on Highway #5 and Highway #20. Humboldt is 655 kilometres (kms) or 390 miles west of Winnipeg, about the same distance east of Edmonton and 728 kms or 432 miles east of Calgary. Regina lies almost directly to the south, located 231kms or 138 miles from Humboldt. Saskatoon is about 113kms or 66 miles to the west. Humboldt to the United States border is 350kms or 210 miles.
The weather in Humboldt is generally dry and sunny. Summer daytime temperatures range from 20 to 35 degrees Celsius and the evenings can be cool. Winter temperatures range from 5 to minus 30 degrees Celsius. On average the month of July is the warmest month in Humboldt averaging 17.7 degrees Celsius. The coldest month during the winter season is, on average, January.
| | History | Humboldt takes its name from Baron Alexander von Humboldt, a famous German naturalist and explorer. Over 1,000 places carry his name, including rivers, mountains, glaciers, streets and cities; but there is only one Humboldt in Canada.
Humboldt's beginnings date back to 1875 when it was a mere dot on the Carlton Trail between Fort Qu'Appelle and Fort Carlton. When it became a stage depot and Dominion Telegraph Station in 1878, it was the central point between Fort Edmonton and Fort Garry. General Middleton and the North West Mounted Police camped at Humboldt on their way to crush the Riel Rebellion in 1885. The Humboldt Telegraph Station operated until it was officially closed in 1923.
With the contraction of the railway between Regina and Rosthern in the late 1800s, settlers began moving in. After the Benedictine Fathers arrived from Minnesota that same year, thousands of people followed and settled in Humboldt and district. The railroad arrived in 1904 adopting the name Humboldt for the new settlement from the old Humboldt Telegraph Station and Supply Depot situated seven miles southwest.
The original site for Humboldt was actually Dixon, west of the current City; however, due to the proximity to water at Burton Lake for the steam locomotives, the location was moved eastward to the present day site of Humboldt. More settlers arrived and more businesses opened in the ensuing months. On June 30, 1905 the Village of Humboldt was incorporated. By April 7, 1907, Humboldt was declared a town. On November 7, 2000 with a population of over 5,500 Humboldt was declared Saskatchewan's thirteenth city.
Today, Humboldt has a population of 5,940 people and a trading area of over 30,000 people. Humboldt is a thriving, dynamic community for business, industry, health, education and culture. Humboldt's record of growth is assurance that opportunities do await the investor in this community.
Humboldt welcomes thousands of visitors a year who are invariably impressed with the cleanliness and efficiency of our modern community. The parks, streets and homes are shaded by luxuriant trees, the people friendly and helpful.
| | Economic Information | Humboldt's main source of growth in the early years was attributed to the Canadian Northern (CN) and Canadian Pacific Railways (CPR). But in addition to being a railroad division point, Humboldt is located in one of Saskatchewan's most progressive and prosperous farming areas. Just as agriculture contributed to its early growth, agriculture can take credit as Humboldt's economic mainstay today. As a result of the community's diversified economy, the City has grown to become a focal point in Saskatchewan, encompassing agricultural, industrial and commercial development in its economic make up. The area has been favored with many entrepreneurial people who have established numerous agricultural service industries not the least of which is a number of manufacturing concerns in the surrounding area that not only serve local needs but export markets as well. A mixed farming region, the Humboldt district is one of the largest hog producing areas in Saskatchewan.
Humboldt has excellent recreational, educational, and shopping facilities along with a friendly atmosphere. A stable agricultural economy, reasonable land prices, trained labor force and proximity to major urban centers such as Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert make our city a desirable place to live and work.
| | Attractions |  Humboldt and surrounding area offers a number of activities for residents and visitors to do in their leisure time.
For information about events happening in Humboldt, please visit the City of Humboldt website at: www.cityofhumboldt.ca.
Residents and visitors to Humboldt and area can enjoy numerous attractions and facilities. Here are a few attractions and facilities located in Humboldt and area:
Willkommen Centre - A 1912 structurally sound building where the interior resembles a small German village - your one stop shopping spot to learn all about Humboldt's attractions, history and demographics.
Humboldt & District Museum & Gallery, a historic building, offers visitors a unique view of the multicultural heritage of Humboldt and area. Exhibits include old-fashioned pioneer furniture and appliances, a replica of the 1878 Humboldt Telegraph Station complete with an interactive computer component for all to learn Morse code, and the Sports Hall of Fame collections which feature sports legends such as Glenn Hall and Leo Parker as well as other sports memorabilia.
Humboldt Murals - Take a walk through downtown Humboldt and feel like you are walking through an outdoor art gallery. The Humboldt murals show Humboldt's Beginnings, Humboldt Telegraph Station, the struggle of immigrants on the Carlton Trail and much, much more. A map showing the location of the murals is available at the Willkommen Centre or the Tourist Information Centre.
Humboldt Historic Water Tower, built in 1915, is one of only four such structures remaining in the province. The wooden shell has four slender windows and an interior spiral staircase. An outside catwalk circles the cone-shaped roof. The Water Tower is a part of the Heritage Canada Foundation Landmark Preservation Program.
Humboldt Gold Club provides tee off on the beautiful 18 hole golf course with unique grass greens and watered tree lined fairways. The pro shop, lunch counter and licensed lounge with an outdoor patio are yours to enjoy in the clubhouse.
Humboldt Aquatic Centre provides many hours of fun. Take in the 20 person hot tub, 186 foot waterslide, 25 metre lane pool, 0.6 depth kid's pool and so much more.
Humboldt Uniplex & Grounds, a multi use facility, is equipped with a community centre for all of your meeting needs; Elgar Petersen Arena which boasts a 1,869 seat artificial ice arena; a curling rink with six sheets of artificial ice; Aquatic Centre and several ball diamonds.
Neighborhood Parks for use by area residents and their children. The parks contain playground equipment safe for all children to play on. There are also parks and green spaces attached to the three elementary schools that include soccer fields, baseball fields, a football field and a track. Civic Park and Water Ridge Park are community parks with beautiful landscaping.
St. Peter's Cathedral and Abbey - Located 10kms east of Humboldt in Muenster the Cathedral was built in 1908 and 1910 and is one of Saskatchewan's seven man made wonders featuring paintings by Berthold Imhoff. St. Peter's Abbey was the first Benedictine monastery in Canada and is now home to St. Peter's College.
| | Other Info | Education: There are four schools serving Humboldt and District. Three elementary schools with enrollment from kindergarten to grade eight; two Catholic, St. Augustine and St. Dominic, and one public, Humboldt Public School. Humboldt has one public high school, Humboldt Collegiate Institute. A brand new high school facility is currently under construction with plans to open in the fall of 2011. Carlton Trail Regional College is one of nine regional colleges in the province. Some of the programs offered include: Agricultural Programs, Business & Management Programs, Computer Programs, Office Education, Online Training and much more. St. Peter's college is located in Muenster 10 kms east of Humboldt. It is affiliated with the University of Saskatchewan, and offers programs such as Arts & Science, Edwards School of Business (Commerce), Education and Kinesiology.
Health: Humboldt is part of the Saskatoon Health Region. Currently under construction is the Humboldt District Health Complex, a facility that will replace the Humboldt District Hospital. It is scheduled to open in the fall of 2010. The health services offered in Humboldt range from hospital to long term care to public health and home care services. Humboldt has numerous physicians, dentists, optometrists and chiropractors. Other health care services offered include care for people with physical and mental disabilities, various support groups, physical therapy and senior housing and care.
The Humboldt Fire Department consists of 22 volunteer paid on call firefighters a full time Fire Chief and a part time Deputy Fire Chief.
Humboldt is policed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police with a permanent detachment that includes city patrol officers and rural patrol officers.
For more information on the City of Humboldt please contact the Tourism and Economic Development Department at (306) 682-3444.
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