Moosomin, Saskatchewan

Moosomin (/ˈmsəmɪn/) is a town in southern Saskatchewan founded in 1882. It is 20 kilometres west of the provincial boundary between Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Moosomin
Town
Motto: 
The Town on the Move
Moosomin is located in Saskatchewan
Moosomin
Moosomin
Location of Moosomin in Saskatchewan
Moosomin is located in Canada
Moosomin
Moosomin
Moosomin (Canada)
Coordinates: 50°08′37″N 101°40′03″W / 50.14361°N 101.66750°W / 50.14361; -101.66750
CountryCanada
ProvinceSaskatchewan
Census division5
Rural MunicipalityMoosomin
Post office Founded1882
Incorporated (Village)1882
Government
 • MayorMurray Gray
 • Town ManagerPaul Listrom
 • Governing bodyMoosomin Town Council
 • MLAKevin Weedmark
Area
 • Total
7.59 km2 (2.93 sq mi)
Population
 (2023)
 • Total
2,882
 • Density327.5/km2 (848/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
Postal code
S0G 3N0
Area code306
Highways Highway 1 (TCH)
Highway 8
Websitewww.moosomin.com Edit this at Wikidata
[1][2][3][4]

History

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With the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1882, Moosomin was established as the first Saskatchewan community on "steel". Originally known as "siding No. 4" and the "Moosomin Station", businesses began to establish and by 1884 the community had grown to include five general stores, five hotels, two livery stables, two blacksmiths, a doctor, a lawyer, butcher, and one printer, among other businesses. Moosomin was incorporated as a town in November 1887. R. D. McNaughton was the first merchant to arrive in Moosomin. He founded the R. D. McNaughton Company, a general store operation that played a vital role in early settlement.[5]

The town was named after Chief Moosomin, who became well known for leading his band into treaty status. He signed Treaty 6 at Battleford in 1880.

The first issue of the Moosomin Courier weekly newspaper was published on Thursday, October 2, 1884.[6] The newspaper has been published weekly since 1884 and is now known as the World-Spectator. It is the oldest community newspaper in the province.

There were several military units associated with Moosomin. These included the 16th Light Horse, in the early 1900s (decade); 10th Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles, 1915; 217th Battalion, CEF, and the 101st Battery of the 22nd Field Regiment which was based at Moosomin Armories (presently the Community Hall).

Moosomin also had a jail, the Moosomin Gaol, which is at the site of the present day Turpie Farm. In 1905, a hospital opened, and it was the only hospital between Brandon and Indian Head. A normal school was opened.

One of Moosomin's more notables is General Andrew McNaughton, born in Moosomin in 1887. In the Second World War, he commanded Canada's overseas army and then became Minister of Defence. In the interwar years he was Chairman of the National Research Council and following the Second World War was Chairman of the International Joint Commission which handled questions pertaining to the international waters along the Canada-United States border.[5]

The social life of the early settlers of the area was limited by distances and transportation methods. Sunday church services were often held in private homes.[7] The small one room school houses became the centre of activity in most areas. Saturday nights were often the social night of the week, when groceries and supplies were purchased. There was often entertainment in the Opera House in the R.D. McNaughton Store. Summer picnics were held in the period between summerfallowing and haying. July 1 in Moosomin was the highlight of the summer for many years, there would be a parade, sports events and refreshments. With the arrival of the automobile, social life changed accordingly.[5]

Current development

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Moosomin grew significantly in the late 1960s and early 1970s with the construction of a major potash mine 35 kilometres (22 mi) to the north. Moosomin was undergoing significant growth around 2010. According to Saskatchewan Health, which tracks population based on the number of health cards issued, there were 2,733 people living in Moosomin on June 30, 2010, up from 2,496 a year earlier, an increase of 227 people. The growth is due to several reasons. The PotashCorp Rocanville potash mine just north of the community is undergoing a $2.8 billion expansion, the $60 million Red Lily Wind Farm just west of the community started producing power in February 2011, since the Trans-Canada Highway was twinned through Moosomin in November 2009 several new businesses have been established along the highway, the Southeast Integrated Care Centre has become a major health care centre for a large region of south-eastern Saskatchewan and south-western Manitoba, and there has been significant activity in the local oil patch, which is at the northern end of the Bakken Formation.

Several major projects are on the drawing board in Moosomin. Land has been purchased for two major hotel developments next to the Canalta Hotel, which opened in 2010 facing the new highway, and land has been purchased for Pipestone Villas, a major residential development. Fourteen kilometres south of Moosomin is Moosomin Lake and Moosomin Lake Regional Park.[8]

Demographics

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In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Moosomin had a population of 2,657 living in 1,102 of its 1,207 total private dwellings, a change of -3.1% from its 2016 population of 2,743. With a land area of 7.15 km2 (2.76 sq mi), it had a population density of 371.6/km2 (962.5/sq mi) in 2021.[9]

Canada census – Moosomin community profile
20212011
Population2,657 (-3.1% from 2016)2,485 (9.9% from 2006)
Land area7.15 km2 (2.76 sq mi)7.59 km2 (2.93 sq mi)
Population density371.5/km2 (962/sq mi)327.5/km2 (848/sq mi)
Median age41.2 (M: 40.0, F: 42.4)41.2 (M: 38.6, F: 43.8)
Private dwellings1,207 (total)  1,102 (occupied)1,168 (total) 
Median household income$83,000
References: 2021[10] 2011[11] earlier[12][13]

Climate

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Climate data for Moosomin (1981–2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 10.5
(50.9)
15.5
(59.9)
21.7
(71.1)
33.5
(92.3)
36.5
(97.7)
38.9
(102.0)
41.1
(106.0)
38.0
(100.4)
35.6
(96.1)
33.0
(91.4)
24.4
(75.9)
17.5
(63.5)
41.1
(106.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −10.1
(13.8)
−6.4
(20.5)
−0.2
(31.6)
10.4
(50.7)
18.0
(64.4)
22.7
(72.9)
25.2
(77.4)
24.9
(76.8)
17.9
(64.2)
9.8
(49.6)
−1.6
(29.1)
−9.3
(15.3)
8.4
(47.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) −14.9
(5.2)
−11
(12)
−4.9
(23.2)
4.4
(39.9)
11.5
(52.7)
16.4
(61.5)
18.8
(65.8)
18.2
(64.8)
11.8
(53.2)
4.6
(40.3)
−5.6
(21.9)
−13.5
(7.7)
3.0
(37.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −19.5
(−3.1)
−15.5
(4.1)
−9.5
(14.9)
−1.7
(28.9)
5.0
(41.0)
10.1
(50.2)
12.2
(54.0)
11.4
(52.5)
5.6
(42.1)
−0.7
(30.7)
−9.5
(14.9)
−17.8
(0.0)
−2.5
(27.5)
Record low °C (°F) −43.9
(−47.0)
−41.1
(−42.0)
−36.7
(−34.1)
−23.3
(−9.9)
−15
(5)
−3.3
(26.1)
1.1
(34.0)
−3.3
(26.1)
−11.1
(12.0)
−20
(−4)
−33.9
(−29.0)
−41.5
(−42.7)
−43.9
(−47.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 21.1
(0.83)
14.8
(0.58)
25.8
(1.02)
24.3
(0.96)
65.7
(2.59)
90.5
(3.56)
77.7
(3.06)
64.3
(2.53)
56.0
(2.20)
35.0
(1.38)
20.4
(0.80)
19.4
(0.76)
515
(20.27)
Source: Environment Canada[14]
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Notable residents

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "2011 Community Profiles". Statistics Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  2. ^ National Archives, Archivia Net. "Post Offices and Postmasters". Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  3. ^ Government of Saskatchewan, MRD Home. "Municipal Directory System". Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  4. ^ Commissioner of Canada Elections, Chief Electoral Officer of Canada (2005). "Elections Canada On-line". Archived from the original on April 21, 2007. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  5. ^ a b c "History of Moosomin". Town of Moosomin website. Archived from the original on August 29, 2010. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  6. ^ "NewspaperArchive.com". NewspaperArchive.com. October 2, 1884.
  7. ^ Adamson, Julia (February 16, 2013). "Saskatchewan Roman Catholic Churches ~ Online Parish Registers ~ History". Saskatchewan Gen Web. Ancestry.com. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  8. ^ "Moosomin Lake Regional Park". Moosomin Regional Park. Moosomin Regional Park. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  9. ^ "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions (municipalities), Saskatchewan". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  10. ^ "2021 Community Profiles". 2021 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. February 4, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  11. ^ "2011 Community Profiles". 2011 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. March 21, 2019. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
  12. ^ "2006 Community Profiles". 2006 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. August 20, 2019.
  13. ^ "2001 Community Profiles". 2001 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. July 18, 2021.
  14. ^ Environment Canada - Canadian Climate Normals 1981-2010—Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010, accessed 3 December 2010
  15. ^ "Runnin' Back to Saskatoon Lyrics". sing365.com. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  16. ^ Colter Wall finds unexpected friendship with WWE star Brock Lesnar. Southwest Booster. October 27, 2015. "Wall hit the open road eastbound to visit Lesnar on his farm near Moosomin, Saskatchewan..." Retrieved November 3, 2015.
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