Government House  
  Battleford   Saskatchewan
                                1876 - June 7th, 2003
                                Read Farewell     
                      

 

All photographs Copyright Menno Fieguth
Copies of photographs may be purchased.
 Call (306 937 7453 for information or e mail  at INFO

For information on the book "Battleford" go to: http://bask.ca


 

 








                                                                                                                  All Photographs copyright  Menno Fieguth




























                                                          
                                                                                                                     


Farewell to Government House

"It must be the largest and finest house in all the land" were Governor Laird's instructions for the building of what has been known as Government House. Now it is gone and we shall all miss it. Construction began in 1876 and it was the seat of the Territorial Government for only about four years.

Over the years the building has served in a variety of ways; an Indian School, a Seventh Day Adventist School, and under the ownership of the Oblate Fathers, for many years as St. Charles Scholasticate. I understand it was still owned by the Oblate Fathers on June 7th, 2003.

It was an imposing structure with a commanding view of the river valleys. It was also a "Landmark." For years it was my joy and pride to point it out to visitors and to take them up there. Only a week ago a couple of teenage students from Regina came to stay with us on a school assignment.  They of course got the full historic treatment. Their essays finished, they must now add that that building no longer exists.

My personal affair with the building goes back probably the whole fifty two years I have lived here. I have photographed it many times. Many years ago I was trying to convince Sask/Tel to use a photograph of the Historic Site on the Telephone Directory Cover. "No way!" They could not feature something that was identifiable with a specific community. So I thought to myself, "I am going to take such a good picture of Government House that they will have to use it.

I sat on the hillside next to the springs all one Saturday afternoon. Wind and cloud did not co-operate. Then early the following Sunday morning there was not a breath of air, not a cloud in the sky, the fall colours were beautiful, so I went back to my post. I used up several rolls of film. When I was finished and had put the cameras in the car, a train with an orange caboose went over the old trestle. This was probably one of the last trips over that historic site. But I had used up my last exposure, so that is one that got away. And Yes, Sask/Tel did use the photograph on all the Saskatchewan Telephone directories the following year.

        I don't think I fully comprehended what the word "landmark" meant until last Saturday afternoon after photographing the fire.   Driving home along Regional Care Road I was suddenly slightly disoriented. (No smart remarks about my age please) It was then I realized how dependent I was on that old landmark when driving home. I was always aware of that building no matter where I was in the area. Now I will sadly miss it every trip I make to town and back.

But think of the history and memories of all the people who have ever lived or worked there. It must deeply affect them. 

My heart goes out especially to the Oblate Fathers, some of whom still live in the residence next door. I recall seeing Fr. Leo Mann and Father Harold Kaufman on the lawn watching the fire. They and others spent a large part of their lives with and in that building. What a loss!

Battleford will never be the same.

Farewell Old Friend.

Menno Fieguth


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