|
| Geography |  Located in the east portion of the Rural Municipality of Frontier #19, the Village of Frontier is located in the southwest corner of Saskatchewan on Highway 18 and fourteen miles north (as the crow flies) from the International Border.
| | History | As early as 1908, settlers began arriving in this area, but from 1910 through 1914 there was an influx of settlers coming south of the Frenchman Creek. It wasn't until 1923 when the C.P.R. Railroad came through the area that the town site for Frontier was chosen. It wasn't officially incorporated as a hamlet until July 10, 1930. Back in 1923, two `once-country' stores were moved in on skids and waited for the decision to be made where the main street would be. Elevators were built. The site for the new school was approved. The town began to take shape as new businesses and homes sprang up. By 1927 the Main Street area of Frontier covered two blocks, with narrow sidewalks made by three planks laid together. In 1928 the first church was built (the United Church) and two banks, the Bank of Montreal and the Royal Bank, opened their doors. In 1929 the hospital was officially opened. One of the first doctors was Dr. O'Brien, the famous `Saddleback Surgeon'. Doc O'Brien and his wife, Margaret, lived here until the 1940's.
The stock market crash of 1929, followed by the depression and a major fire and flood in 1931, definitely had an impact on this little town. Again in 1946 disaster hit as the Main Street of Frontier was changed overnight when a fire swept through and destroyed all the businesses on one side of the street. But the Frontiersmen proved to be a determined bunch and within two days the stores and post office were set up in temporary quarters. By the end of the year most of the businesses were rebuilt.
Today the hitching posts and the wooden sidewalks are gone and the C.P.R. is gone (replaced by the Great Western Railroad) but the spirit of the Frontier people lives on. Businesses have changed hands and new businesses have been born. Presently, there are just over 600 people living in the area.
| | Economic Information | The Village of Frontier has traditionally depended on agriculture to survive economically, but also relies on the manufacturing industry and the oil field. Grain farming, organic farming and ranching are common to the area.
Honey Bee Manufacturing Ltd. is located 3 km south of the Village of Frontier and is a major contributor to the economy of the area. Honey Bee is a fully integrated manufacturing company, developing and producing harvest equipment for the agricultural industry worldwide. Honey Bee employs over 150 people, has equipment harvesting grain in over a dozen different countries and is an industry leader in the development of harvesting equipment for a variety of crops. Guided tours of the facility are available Monday thru Friday. Tour groups larger than 10 persons are asked to call ahead to schedule a tour time at 306-296-2297.
In 2001 our local farmers purchased the remaining grain elevator from the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool and the White Mud Trading Company was formed. They have been very successful in providing services to the area and have added grain-cleaning equipment to further enhance their business.
A number of local businesses service the Village of Frontier and the surrounding area. The Frontier Savings and Credit Union, formed in 1945, recently amalgamated with the Southwest Credit Union and is now Innovation Credit Union. The Farm Supplier's Co-op, which has serviced the area for many years, recently amalgamated with the Pioneer Co-op out of Swift Current. One of the aforementioned country stores which was moved into Frontier in 1923 was operated by the Heggestad family as `Heggestad Bros. General Store' until 2003 when it was sold to members of the Norheim family and became `Norheim's General Store'. It is one of two grocery stores in the village. `G.R. Groceries', the other grocery store, has recently undergone a major renovation and expansion and also has the Sears Catalogue outlet on its premises. An insurance agency, lumber yard, mechanics shops, a beauty shop, a chiropractor, a massage therapist, two restaurants plus a motel and restaurant are just some of the other businesses and services attainable in Frontier.
| | Attractions | In the late 70's the skating rink and curling rink were joined together by a beautiful Recreation Centre. The `Rec Centre' features a 75' painted mural depicting life on the prairies `then and now' and was painted by Regina artist, Ingrid Kalder. Bowling lanes, billiards, movie rentals, a fast food outlet, and a miniature golf course contribute to a year-round operation.
A Senior Citizens Activity Centre was also built in the late 70's. It has a large activity area; a kitchen; a game room; and also houses a library and `The Mushroom Patch' where locally made crafts are sold when it is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Mushroom Patch also sponsors an exceptional Craft Fair every November.
The South West Settlers Museum was started in the early 80's. It is located at the Sports Grounds just outside the Village. The Loomis Hall was moved in as well as one of the first houses built in Frontier; the original R.M./Royal Bank Building; and the Dunkeely School from fifteen miles north of Loomis.
The Frontier Golf Club offers a nine-hole sand green course, which is located ½ mile north of the Village. Local golfers are presently volunteering their time and energy toward extensive upgrading at the golf course.
We are surrounded by natural wonders. The sunrises and sunsets are phenomenal and the bird and wildlife population incredible. It's a common occurrence to see deer, antelope, fox, coyotes, rabbits and other species, along with the occasional moose or elk, roaming the countryside. And, if you want to see bison, a short drive west in the R. M. of Frontier will bring you to 'The Old Man on His Back' which is a conservation project aimed at protecting and restoring the land to short-grass prairie and blooming wild flowers; back to the way it was when the first pioneers came upon this area. A herd of buffalo has been released onto the native prairie grasslands and there is also significant heritage value in the area such as artifacts, medicine wheels and teepee rings of the past. The project is the first working ranch for the Nature Conservatory of Canada. There is a visitor's center open at the old ranch headquarters on weekends from May through September. Suzanne Dumontel (306-296-4908) is the contact person if you require more information regarding this attraction. Close to the same vicinity, is a stone house and partial stone barn built in 1926, which are extremely interesting and while you're out there you should check out the 'Blue Banks' clay deposits in the hillsides, which give the impression of a blue color.
| | Other Info | Education:
The first school in Frontier was the Baldwin School in 1923 under the newly organized Baldwin School District. The school was originally the one-room Echo Valley School, which was moved in from the country. In 1928 it was added on to and became a three-room schoolhouse for grades 1-12. Later the name was changed to Frontier School. In 1949 a new building was built and down through the years has been added to and changed innumerable times. Today Frontier has a beautiful, modern school for K-12 students and their motto says it all, 'Frontier School ... a great place to be.'
The Building Blocks Playschool, a pre-school program for kids 3-5 years old, also currently utilizes space in the Frontier School. The playschool is operated by a local non-profit organization.
Churches:
Frontier has two churches, the United Church and Bethel Lutheran Church (AFLC).
Emergency Services and Other Information:
Frontier has exceptional emergency services with an Ambulance Department that provides service to anyone in need of medical attention or who requires medical transport, and an efficient and well-trained Fire Department and rescue team.
An airport, operated by the Rural Municipality of Frontier #19, is located 2 ½ miles south of the Village of Frontier.
Further information about the area can be obtained by calling the Village Office at 306-296-2250.
|
|
|
|
