History Corner - Orangemen’s Parade on Broadway Street East

In year 1900, the Orange Hall was located on Lot 1, Block 2 in year 1900 at #2 Betts Avenue. We have an early history of the Orange Lodge in Yorkton, from a narrative by John Thompson, descendant of York Colony pioneers, Richard Thompson and James Sharp. From that record we quote: “I do not think that my father missed one year that he didn’t attend the Yorkton Fair, in the early days, it was called the Yorkton Show Fair, and it started way back in the eighties. Father and Grand Dad Sharp and a few of Toronto Orangemen who built an Orange Lodge on Grand Dad’s farm, (James Sharp’s homestead) they used to have an Orange Walk on the 12th of July in Yorkton. There were quite a few members, Uncle Tom Goodchild, Uncle Wm Digby, Uncles Jim and Roy Sharp, Lockharts, Muirs and others. My dad played the drum, and a Muir, I think Dave, played the Fife. Jim Fergus of Orkney played the Pipes, some of the members wore the kilts.” (From Mitch Wlock’s Fonds) Untitled narrative, written by John Thompson. From other early records of Yorkton history it is stated that a building on the James Sharp homestead is believed to be the first Orange Lodge established in what is now Saskatchewan. It was likely erected in 1883, or 1884.