Marquis No. 191

Geography

The Rural Municipality (RM) of Marquis #191 is located approximately 15 miles northwest of Moose Jaw and is located on Highway #42. Provincial Highway #2 runs north-south through the easterly portion of the municipality, with Provincial Highway #202 forming the southerly boundary of the municipality from the Village of Tuxford leading easterly to Buffalo through the municipality.

The topography of the municipality is relatively flat with an increase in hills at the northerly part of the municipality especially in the vicinity of the Qu'Appelle Valley. The majority of the land in the municipality is highly productive and is well suited for the production of cereal crops, oil seeds, and pulse crops, with the northern portion more suited to the grazing of cattle.

History

The Marquis History Book indicates that there is no clear evidence as to how Marquis received its name. Various sources have differing views on how the name was picked, with the history book indicating that the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) named it Marquis to honour an important hybrid wheat developed in the early 1900s. The Village of Marquis was incorporated on March 21, 1910. The RM of Marquis #191 was incorporated in December of 1911 with the first council taking office on January 1, 1912.

Economic Information

The primary economic base of the municipality is agriculture, with farms well suited for the production of cereal grains, pulse crops, and oil seeds. Cattle ranching is an important part of the total agricultural base with many farms relying on the cattle industry as a major source of their farm income. There are several seed cleaning plants in the area that have proven to be a valuable asset to farmers requiring good clean seed for their crops. This industry has become more important in recent years due to the closure of local elevators in many of our small communities.

Value-added business, such as a U Pick Saskatoon berry farm, have begun in the area and during the berry producing months, add to employment opportunities for younger people as well as full-time employment during production and marketing phases.

Attractions

The north and east boundaries of the RM are formed by Buffalo Pound Lake and the Qu'Appelle River. As a result, there have been a large number of summer cottages and permanent residences constructed along the south shore of Buffalo Pound Lake. Buffalo Pound Provincial Park is located within the boundaries of the municipality, and brings many tourists from all parts of the country and the world to the area. The park ranks highly in both facilities and scenery available for the traveling public. Buffalo Pound Lake affords excellent opportunities for ice fishing with an unbelievable amount of ice shacks dotting the surface of the lake during the winter season. Rankin Marsh, on the easterly limits of Buffalo Pound Lake, provides an excellent staging area for migratory birds on their semi-annual treks and serves the area with some quality hunting for local and international hunters. The Qu'Appelle Valley also provides excellent habitat for Upland game as well as White Tail and Mule Deer and Big game hunters from all across North America appreciate the challenge and variety of game the Valley provides. A Buffalo compound is located on the easterly limits of Buffalo Pound Provincial Park, and gives tourist and visitors an opportunity to view these animals in their natural surroundings. White Track Ski Resort is also located in Buffalo Pound Provincial Park and is a haven for ski and snowboard enthusiasts.

The Community of Marquis hosts an annual Sports Day every July 1 as well as an annual Curling Bonspiel each year at the end of January. These events have been held annually since the early 1940s and the bonspiel an annual event since 1920. The Village of Marquis contains a General Store-Liquor Store combination, as well as a Post Office, Municipal Office, Credit Union, Sand Blasting and Painting facility, and a Service Station.

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