Kamsack

Kamsack
Town
Country	Canada
Province	Saskatchewan
Region	Saskatchewan
Population  (2006)
• Total	1,713
• Density	292.7/km2 (758/sq mi)
Time zone	CST
Postal code	S0A 1S0
Area code	306
Website	http://www.town.kamsack.sk.ca/

Kamsack, Saskatchewan, Canada is a town, located in the Assiniboine River Valley where the Whitesand River joins the Assiniboine River. The fertile land, scenic location and great weather make Kamsack "The Garden Of Saskatchewan".

History

Kamsack was established when Chief Gabriel Cote’s Saulteaux band signed Treaty 4 on September 15, 1874, and a reserve was surveyed in 1877. In 1904, land was surrendered from the Cote First Nation for the Canadian Northern Railway station and the town site of Kamsack. Between 1905 and 1907 additional land was surrendered, the northern sections of which were returned to reserve status. In 1913 a further two-mile strip of land on the southern boundary was surrendered, but returned in 1915 when it was identified the Cote people had lost too much of their best agricultural land. In 1963, further acres surrendered in 1905 were also reconstituted as reserve land. The interest in and surrender of land from the reserve’s southern boundary—nearest the Kamsack town site—resulted in part from speculation of its value for settlement.

The lands around what is now Kamsack were originally settled in the 1880’s by a handful of agricultural settlers. The farming area around Kamsack was well settled by 1905. These farms consisted of a variety of ethnic groups which are still present to this day: Doukhobors, Ukrainians, Europeans, Americans and Eastern Canadians were all among the early settlers to the area.

In 1903 the CNR railway and Kamsack railway station were built which literally forced the birth of Kamsack. The town is still today served by VIA Rail passenger service.

The name Kamsack came from an early post office of the same name, which was located in one of the early settlers' homes. The name itself is probably taken from the same named city of Kamsack in Russia. The name "Kamsack" came from a native word meaning "something vast and large". Although there are some who think the name was of native origin.

In the 1900s, the Doukhobor village called Nadezhda (Russian: Надежда, 'Hope'), some 15 km to the northwest of Kamsack, was the site of the annual general meetings of the Doukhobor community of Saskatchewan. By around 1910, the meeting site has shifted to the village of Veregin, some 10 km west of Kamsack, where a permanent Doukhobor central office was established.

The first buildings were constructed in 1904 along the north side of the CNR Right-of-way. These included a general store, drug store, pool room, hotel and post office. In the spring of 1905 the first school was opened in the Hallson building (named after a local businessman and town councillor). The village grew rapidly and by 1911 it had a population of over 500 people and was declared a town. The town continued to expand and by 1913 its assessment totalled C$1.2 million. In the summer of 1914 construction was started on the waterworks, sewage system and electric light plant. By 1921 the population was in excess of 2,000 people and the expansion of services continued to take place.

During the depression years Kamsack suffered, as did all communities during the period, and as a result the town's population dropped to 1,800 people. This exodus of people was small compared to many other communities and Kamsack survived. During the summer of 1944 Kamsack once again faced adversity when it was hit by a tornado that is now referred to as the "Kamsack Cyclone." The devastation involved 400 homes and 100 businesses and caused over C$2 million damage. The rebuilding process began again with the help of the veterans returning from World War II. As it turned out, this period turned into the biggest building boom in the town's history.

This building period included business, public and residential sections of the town. Water and sewer systems were extended, streets were paved and cement sidewalks were built. The building boom continued right up to 1961 when the census showed 2941 residents in the town. When the 1970s rolled around Kamsack saw its business district continue to grow with the arrival of the Royal Bank, the construction of the "Kamplex" (a dual purpose hockey and curling rink) and construction began on the new hospital.

Recent decline

In the last few years with the closure of a few keystone employers Kamsack has declined in population, and many service related businesses have closed or moved elsewhere. However, the Duck Mountain Provincial Park (which is 14 kms east) continues to attract thousands of people every year, and a new inland grain terminal was constructed. Low housing prices (homes start at under C$10,000), $1 town lots and a low tax rate are incentives to both young families and retired who wish to move to a quiet community. Kamsack has lots of stores and services still available in the community.

Today the town of Kamsack is working to improve the community by offering building lots for five thousand dollars, working with existing businesses and offering other business incentives. An increase in new businesses starting up has been seen. Kamsack has also been in the news several times, [1] due to violent situations, and hospital closures. Many of its residents have moved to closer communities such as Yorkton, Canora, or even out to the Provincial Park.

Many families have moved to Kamsack under the impression that the town is in expensive to live. But unless you are with one of the towns celebrated families, [2] Hudye's or [3] Nykolaishen's many have found it tough to survive in town.

External links

• Town of Kamsack website
• Kamsack in Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan
• Duck Mountain Provincial Park