The Map shows the 8 townships outlined in colour that the York Farmers Colonization Company of Toronto agreed to colonize in 1882 and 1883.There were 6 townships in the first agreement on May 25, 1882 and 2 more townships in the second agreement on June 15, 1883. The Agreements with Queen Victoria who was represented by the Minister of the Interior of the Dominion Government allowed 5 years to complete the work. Early in the settlement days of the West, the government decided to develop a grid system for land description. The basic grid is formed by intersecting township lines running east and west and range lines running north and south. These townships measure 6 miles, 36 square miles in area. The township is divided in sections, each more or less a mile square and containing approximately 640 acres. There are 36 sections, further divided in quarter sections, or 160 acres in each townships, more or less. All even-numbered sections, not otherwise marked, were open for Homesteads and Pre-emption entry. All odd-numbered Sections, not otherwise marked, were for sale by the Company.
Watch for more history in Yorkton This Week of the York Farmers Colonization Company and the major role they played in the founding of Yorkton. We are marking 130 years of settlement this year.
Contact Terri Lefebvre Prince,
Heritage Researcher,
City of Yorkton, Box 400
37 Third Avenue North
Yorkton, Sask. S3N 2W3
306-786-1722
[email protected]
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