Humboldt, Saskatchewan

Humboldt is a city in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada. It is located 113 km east of Saskatoon at the junction of Highway 5 and Highway 20. The city is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Humboldt No. 370.

Humboldt
City
City of Humboldt
City of Humboldt welcome sign
Nickname(s): 
'Boldt, The 'Boldt
Humboldt
Coordinates: 52°12′07″N 105°07′23″W
CountryCanada
ProvinceSaskatchewan
Established1875
Incorporated (town)April 1, 1907
Incorporated (city)November 7, 2000
Government
 • MayorMichael Behiel (2020)
 • Humboldt City CouncilLarry Jorgenson
Kelly Herperger
Roger Nordick
Amanda Klitch
Roger Korte
Rob Muench[1]
 • MLA, Humboldt-WatrousDonna Harpauer (SKP)
 • MP, Carlton Trail—Eagle CreekKelly Block (CPC)
Area
 • Total11.66 km2 (4.50 sq mi)
 • Land2.73 km2 (1.05 sq mi)
Elevation
548.60 m (1,799.87 ft)
Population
 (2016)
 • Total5,869[2]
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
Area code(s)306
Highways Hwy 5 / Hwy 20
RailwaysCanadian National
Websitewww.humboldt.ca
[3][4]

History
Humboldt Telegraph Station (circa 1885)
Humboldt Post Office, which is now home of the Humboldt & District Museum

Named after German explorer Alexander von Humboldt, Humboldt began as a telegraph station located on the Carlton Trail, a wagon route used in the early days of Western Canada as a route from Fort Garry (Winnipeg) to Fort Edmonton.[5] The name "Humboldt" was approved in 1875 for a site in the North West Territories along the Canadian Pacific Telegraph Line at which a repair station was built (8 km south-west of the present city site). Built in 1878, the Humboldt Telegraph Station[6] played an integral part in communications for the developing West.[7]

With the Métis uprising led by Louis Riel taking place at Batoche just 100 km northwest, Humboldt became the only communication link between Prime Minister John A. Macdonald and his forces in the West, thus a site of strategic significance. General Frederick Middleton arrived in April 1885 with 950 soldiers, established a garrison at the station, and used it as his base for scouting operations. At that time, the Humboldt station was crucial, since the telegraph line further west was periodically cut – so Humboldt was the last secure link to the East.[8]

On May 1, 1885, Humboldt became the site of a large supply depot under Maj. Lt.-Colonel G. T. Denison of the Governor Generals' Body Guard. A combined force of approximately 460 men built an elaborate series of entrenchments, converting the station into a fortified military encampment to protect the supplies. The troops left Humboldt in July 1885. The area was also the site of the first stagecoach robbery in Western Canada.[9] Parts of the Carlton Trail in the form of wagon tracks/ruts still exist in the Humboldt area.

Humboldt in its beginnings was primarily German Catholic. It became the largest settlement in the Territorial Abbey of Saint Peter-Muenster also called St. Peter's Colony[10] established by Benedictine monks from St John's Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota.[11] Immigration to the area from both the Northern Plains states of the US and Germany was promoted by the German American Land Company. Many immigrants from the German Empire settled in areas in and around Humboldt such as Muenster, Fulda, Pilger, St Gregor and Englefeld. Immigrants from the Russian Empire who were ethnic Germans settled in the area west of Humboldt and south of the hamlet of Carmel.[12]

After being established as a community, Humboldt became an important location in Saskatchewan previously known as the "Heart of the Sure Crop District" for its reliable growing weather, which led the town to become a centre for farming equipment and supply businesses.

Humboldt Broncos bus crash
Main article: Humboldt Broncos bus crash

On April 6, 2018, the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team was involved in a serious bus crash.[13] The bus was carrying the team to a playoff game in Nipawin, Saskatchewan when it collided with a tractor trailer loaded with peat moss at an intersection known as Armley Corner, near Nipawin. Sixteen of the 30 people on board the bus died—the driver, the general manager/head coach, the assistant coach, a radio commentator, a volunteer, the club's female trainer, and 10 players between the ages of 16 and 21.[14] Fourteen players were injured, several of them seriously. News of the crash received significant national and international media coverage, and numerous dignitaries and politicians sent their condolences to the team and city. Two days after the crash, a vigil was held at the Elgar Petersen Arena in Humboldt, which was attended by over 5,000 people and televised nationally. Attendees included Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the Premier of Saskatchewan, and popular Canadian sports personalities Don Cherry and Ron MacLean.[15] Humboldt Mayor Rob Muench called the tragedy a "truly dark moment" for the city.[16]

Climate

Humboldt experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb)[17] featuring long, cold winters and brief, warm summers. The region falls into the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 3a.[18] It is a great distance from any large bodies of water, and thus lacks any moderating influences on its climate. The latitudinal difference of Saskatchewan can typically explain a 6–8 °C difference mean in annual temperatures across the province.

The highest temperature ever recorded in Humboldt was 41.1 °C (106 °F) on 19 July 1941.[19] The coldest temperature ever recorded was −50.6 °C (−59 °F) on 12 January 1916.[20]

Climate data for Humboldt
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 6.0
(42.8)		 15.0
(59.0)		 20.6
(69.1)		 32.2
(90.0)		 36.0
(96.8)		 39.0
(102.2)		 41.1
(106.0)		 38.3
(100.9)		 34.4
(93.9)		 31.1
(88.0)		 21.1
(70.0)		 10.0
(50.0)		 41.1
(106.0)
Average high °C (°F) −11.9
(10.6)		 −8.3
(17.1)		 −1.9
(28.6)		 9.1
(48.4)		 17.2
(63.0)		 21.4
(70.5)		 23.9
(75.0)		 23.8
(74.8)		 17.1
(62.8)		 9.0
(48.2)		 −2.5
(27.5)		 −9.8
(14.4)		 7.3
(45.1)
Daily mean °C (°F) −16.9
(1.6)		 −13.3
(8.1)		 −6.6
(20.1)		 3.3
(37.9)		 10.4
(50.7)		 15.2
(59.4)		 17.4
(63.3)		 16.9
(62.4)		 10.8
(51.4)		 3.5
(38.3)		 −6.8
(19.8)		 −14.3
(6.3)		 1.6
(34.9)
Average low °C (°F) −21.8
(−7.2)		 −18.1
(−0.6)		 −11.3
(11.7)		 −2.5
(27.5)		 3.6
(38.5)		 8.9
(48.0)		 10.9
(51.6)		 10.1
(50.2)		 4.4
(39.9)		 −2.1
(28.2)		 −11.1
(12.0)		 −18.8
(−1.8)		 −4.0
(24.8)
Record low °C (°F) −50.6
(−59.1)		 −46.7
(−52.1)		 −46.1
(−51.0)		 −33.0
(−27.4)		 −16.7
(1.9)		 −10.0
(14.0)		 −4.4
(24.1)		 −6.7
(19.9)		 −12.2
(10.0)		 −24.0
(−11.2)		 −36.5
(−33.7)		 −43.9
(−47.0)		 −50.6
(−59.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 15.1
(0.59)		 9.0
(0.35)		 15.1
(0.59)		 23.3
(0.92)		 43.2
(1.70)		 67.6
(2.66)		 82.2
(3.24)		 51.0
(2.01)		 37.2
(1.46)		 22.5
(0.89)		 12.1
(0.48)		 14.4
(0.57)		 392.5
(15.45)
Source: Environment Canada[21][22]

Demographics
Humboldt's historic downtown
Humboldt station

As reported in the 2011 census, Humboldt grew by 13.6% since 2006 for a population of 5,678.

Major ethnic groups, 2011
Ethnic group[23]PopulationPercent
German3,16557.4%
English90516.4%
Ukrainian86015.6%
Irish64011.6%
Scandinavian63511.5%
French5209.4%
Scottish4959%
Russian3506.4%
Total respondent population5.510100%
Canada census – Humboldt, Saskatchewan community profile
2016 2011 2006
Population: 5,869 (+3.4% from 2011) 5,678 (+13.6% from 2006) 4,998 (-3.2% from 2001)
Land area: 13.47 km2 (5.20 sq mi) 13.46 km2 (5.20 sq mi) 11.72 km2 (4.53 sq mi)
Population density: 435.7/km2 (1,128/sq mi) 421.9/km2 (1,093/sq mi) 426.4/km2 (1,104/sq mi)
Median age: 44.4 (M: 41.6, F: 46.7) 45.2 (M: 42.6, F: 47.1) 45.3 (M: 42.7, F: 47.9)
Total private dwellings: 2,582 2,567 452
Median household income: $71,979 $40,640
References: 2016[24] 2011[25] 2006[26] earlier[27]
Humboldt aerial view

Economy

About 95% of all goods produced in the province directly depend on its basic resources (grains, livestock, oil and gas, potash, uranium and timber) and their refined products.

Wheat, canola, flax, peas, rye, lentils, canary seed and barley are mainly grown in the area. Beef cattle production, pork production – as well as other livestock – are significant for the community. With many farmers in the area, agricultural-related businesses were formed. Some services offered are in trucking and financial management, finance, business services, wholesale trade, transportation, etc. Humboldt is in the heart of potash country with many people employed in the mines near the city. The manufacturing community represented in the "Iron Triangle" also employs a large number of people in the city and surrounding district.

Attractions
See also: List of historic places in Saskatchewan

Humboldt has a number of heritage buildings listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places. They include the Canadian National Railways (Canadian Northern Railway) Station (built in 1905),[28] a Post Office (built in 1911–1912),[29] the Humboldt Provincial Court House (built in 1914–1920).[30] and the Humboldt Water Tower (built in 1914) has been renovated with a spiral staircase and a circular observation platform on top.[31]

The Humboldt Post Office is a National Historic Site of Canada (built in 1911–1912). It houses the Humboldt and District Museum and Gallery.[32] Across the street is the Humboldt and District Art Gallery in the old Merchant Bank Building.

Marysburg Assumption Church is located 16 km (10 miles) north of Humboldt.[33] Mount Carmel Shrine is located 23 km (14 miles) west and St. Peter's Abbey and St. Peter's Cathedral are 10 km (6 miles) east of the city in Muenster.

The Humboldt Murals located in the town centre depict historic scenes.

Festivals
  • The Summer Sizzler is held in late-June of each year. The event features a midway, demolition derby, cabaret, slo-pitch tournament, tractor pull, Sizzler Strut Marathon and live on-stage entertainment. On the opening day, there is a parade through downtown and a pancake breakfast at Centennial Park.
  • Canada Day celebrations occur every year on July 1 concluding with fireworks at Water Ridge Park.
  • The Humboldt StreetFest is held in mid-August and is organized by the Humboldt Downtown Business Improvement District.

Sports and recreation

Humboldt is home to over 30 acres of parks and open spaces as well as a growing pedestrian trails and pathways system. There are eleven parks around the city, including: A.E. Kilcher Park, Bill Brecht Memorial Park, Carl Schenn Recreational Park, Centennial Park, Civic Park, Glenn Hall Park, Peace Park, St. Augustine School Grounds, St. Dominic School Grounds, Water Ridge Park, St. Elizabeth Park and Wilf Chamney Park.

Situated 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Humboldt along Highway 5 and two miles (3 km) south is the Kloppenburg Wildlife Refuge. It consists of 160 acres (0.65 km2) which have never been cultivated.

The Uniplex is Humboldt's recreational facility featuring a curling rink, an indoor aquatic center, a fitness center and a convention center. The Elgar Petersen Arena, part of the Uniplex, is a 1,900-seat arena, home to the Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, two-time National Champions and 10-time SJHL Champions, as well as Humboldt's minor hockey teams and club skating club. Also on the Uniplex grounds is Centennial Park with ball diamonds, a skateboard park and a soccer/football field.

An 18-hole golf course is located next to Water Ridge Park, which includes walking trails, a spray park and gazebo and the Humboldt Historical Park, mini golf and campground.

St. Elizabeth Park features Humboldt's 9 hole disc golf course.

Churches

Humboldt has ten churches: Humboldt Alliance Church, St. John's Lutheran, St. Andrew's Anglican Church, St. Augustine Catholic Church, Living Word Ministries, All Saints Ukrainian Catholic Church, Humboldt Bible Church, Westminster United Church of Canada, First Baptist Church and Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses.[34]

Education
Humboldt Collegiate Institute
Address
509 8th Avenue

Humboldt
,
Saskatchewan
,
S0K 2A1

Canada
Information
TypeSecondary
School boardHorizon School Division No. 205
Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools
PrincipalCory Popoff
Vice principalDavid Millette
Vice principalShaun Gardiner
GradesGrade 9 to grade 12
Enrollment390[35] (2017)
Education systemPublic/Separate
LanguageEnglish
WebsiteHumboldt Collegiate Institute
Humboldt Public School
Address
509 8th Avenue

Humboldt
,
Saskatchewan
,
S0K 2A1

Canada
Information
TypeElementary
School boardHorizon School Division No. 205
PrincipalClayton Parobec
Vice principalDarlene Popoff
GradesPre-kindergarten to grade 8
Enrollment272[35] (2017)
Education systemPublic
LanguageEnglish
WebsiteHumboldt Public School
St. Augustine School
Address
1103 8th Avenue

Humboldt
,
Saskatchewan
,
S0K 2A1

Canada
Information
TypeElementary
Religious affiliation(s)Catholic
Opened1907 (1907)[36]
School boardGreater Saskatoon Catholic Schools
PrincipalCal Theisen
Vice principalCathy Korte-Monz
GradesKindergarten to grade 8
Enrollment323[35] (2017)
Education systemSeparate
LanguageEnglish
WebsiteSt. Augustine School
St. Dominic School
Address
706 2nd Avenue South

Humboldt
,
Saskatchewan
,
S0K 2A1

Canada
Information
TypeElementary
Religious affiliation(s)Catholic
Opened1959 (1959)[37]
School boardGreater Saskatoon Catholic Schools
PrincipalChad Knaus
Vice principalCelese LeRay-Leicht
GradesKindergarten to grade 8
Enrollment221[35] (2017)
Education systemSeparate
LanguageEnglish
WebsiteSt. Dominic School

Humboldt has three elementary schools: two Catholic (St. Augustine and St. Dominic) and one public (Humboldt Public School).

It has one public high school, Humboldt Collegiate Institute. It is co-managed by Horizon School Division No. 205 and Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools.[38] The Humboldt Collegiate Institute has senior and junior volleyball teams (boys' and girls'), senior and junior basketball teams (boys' and girls'), soccer (boys' and girls'), badminton, golf, cross-country, track & field and a nine-man football program known as HCI Mohawks. The Mohawks won provincial championships in 1975, 1996, 1997, 2008 and 2010.

Carlton Trail Regional College has its headquarters in Humboldt.

Infrastructure

Transportation

The city is served by Highway 5 and Highway 20.

Humboldt Airport, (TC LID: CJU4), is located 1 nautical mile (1.9 km; 1.2 mi) south of the city.

Humboldt is serviced by CN Rail and is home to a number of rail workers.

Health care

Humboldt District Health Complex is home to the Humboldt Hospital and Community Health Services. Humboldt has two medical clinics and four pharmacies in addition to local dental, chiropractic, home care, optometry, physiotherapy as well as health and wellness services.[39]

Government

Humboldt City Council

The Humboldt City Council is the municipal governing body for the city. The council consists of the mayor and six councillors. The current council sits between 2020 and 2024. The last civic election was held on November 9, 2020. Historically, the mayor and councillors were elected to three-year terms; however, the terms have increased to four years. Michael Behiel was elected as Mayor in 2020, after serving as Councillor from 2016-2020. Rob Muench was elected for his first term as Mayor in the 2016 election, and had previously been on City Council for 10 years as Councilor. In 2020, he was elected as Councillor. [40]

2016 Election Results (Councillors)
Candidate Votes %
Rob Muench1,152
Larry Jorgenson895
Kelly Herperger835
Roger Nordick748
Amanda Klitch633
David Rowe631
Darcy Leonew495
Megan Macinnis387
Michaela Fetter352
Carrie Ann Schenenauer-Hradecki302
Tawnie Johnsn201
Caitlin Senko 186
Philip Hinz

Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan

The City of Humboldt is the largest centre in the provincial electoral district of Humboldt-Watrous. Donna Harpauer of the Saskatchewan Party is the current MLA for the riding.

Member of Parliament

The City of Humboldt is currently within the federal electoral district of Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek which is represented by Kelly Block of the Conservative Party of Canada.

Notable people

Notable people who were born, grew up in or established their fame in Humboldt:

References
  1. "2020 Municipal Elections". City of Humboldt. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
  2. Census Profile, 2016 Census
  3. National Archives, Archivia Net. "Post Offices and Postmasters". Archived from the original on October 6, 2006. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  4. Government of Saskatchewan, MRD Home. "Municipal Directory System (City of Humboldt)". Archived from the original on January 15, 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  5. Humboldt Museum. "Humboldt History". Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  6. A Line Through the Wilderness
  7. "Humboldt History". City of Humboldt. Retrieved 2009-10-02.
  8. "District of Saskatchewan Map 1885" (PDF). University of Regina. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  9. "The Legacy of St. Peter's Colony(P.12)". Archived from the original on 2014-05-29. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  10. "St. Peter's Colony Map". Archived from the original on 2014-05-29. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  11. "Territorial Abbey of Saint Peter-Muenster". Retrieved 2013-09-18.
  12. "Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan (GERMAN SETTLEMENTS)". Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. Canadian Plains Research Center, University of Regina. 2006. Archived from the original on 2017-05-05. Retrieved 2013-09-18.
  13. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/nipawin-humboldt-bus-crash-1.4609835
  14. http://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/23056409/bus-carrying-humboldt-broncos-saskatchewan-junior-hockey-league-involved-fatal-collision
  15. Quenneville, Guy (April 8, 2018). "'We will get through this': Hundreds honour Humboldt Broncos at vigil on home ice". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  16. \ 'This is truly a dark moment for our city': Humboldt mayor on bus crash
  17. "Climate Regions". FTP Home - Natural Resources Canada Archives. Natural Resources Canada. Archived from the original (Image (JPE) FTP) on 9 September 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  18. "Plant Hardiness Zone by Municipality". Natural Resources Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  19. Environment Canada , accessed 11 July 2016
  20. Environment Canada
  21. Environment Canada , accessed 11 July 2016
  22. Environment Canada , accessed 11 July 2016
  23. "NHS Profile, Humboldt, CY, Saskatchewan, 2011 (The sum of the ancestries in this table is greater than the total population estimate because a person may report more than one ancestry (ethnic origin) in the National Household Survey.)". 2011. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  24. "2016 Community Profiles". 2016 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. February 21, 2017. Retrieved 2018-09-12.
  25. "2011 Community Profiles". 2011 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. July 5, 2013. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  26. "2006 Community Profiles". 2006 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. March 30, 2011. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  27. "2001 Community Profiles". 2001 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. February 17, 2012.
  28. "Canadian National Railways (Canadian Northern Railway) Station". Retrieved 2013-09-18.
  29. "Post Office". Retrieved 2013-09-18.
  30. "Provincial Court House". Retrieved 2013-09-18.
  31. "Water Tower". Retrieved 2013-09-18.
  32. "Humboldt Post Office National Historic Site of Canada". Retrieved 2013-09-18.
  33. "Marysburg Assumption Church". Retrieved 2013-09-18.
  34. "City of Humboldt". City of Humboldt. Retrieved 2009-10-02.
  35. Active List of Saskatchewan Schools/Programs (PDF), retrieved 2018-02-10
  36. Celebrating a Century of Faith and Learning - A History of Saskatoon's Catholic Schools. Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools. 2015. p. 196. ISBN 978-0-9947443-0-2.
  37. Celebrating a Century of Faith and Learning - A History of Saskatoon's Catholic Schools. Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools. 2015. p. 198. ISBN 978-0-9947443-0-2.
  38. HCI Joint Operations Committee, archived from the original on 2016-03-04, retrieved 2015-06-30
  39. "Saskatoon Health Region (Humboldt District Health Complex)". Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  40. "humboldt.ca" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2014-02-18.
  41. Bridges, Alicia (January 14, 2017). "A puppeteer of pixels: Sask. animator works on Disney blockbusters". CBC News. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
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