There is a new trend in tourism across several countries that is known as “ecotourism”— nature-based tourism. A site is chosen for the events that took place years ago, and may well not comprise any buildings whatsoever. This is the case with The Dulmage Farmstead. This farmstead, once upon a time, consisted of two dwellings and an array of farm buildings and a manufacturing operation. While no buildings remain of this farm, there are several remnants of the foundations of its buildings. A good number of volunteers have been involved in the improvement and development of this site over the years, and in the research and work of the production and erection of the interpretive signage. This site is one of Yorkton’s very special tourist attractions: a farmstead within town or city boundaries, not taken over by commercial or housing developments. It is a valuable experience for generations to come, where they can learn through the signage and walking around the acreage, the history of pre-settlement, the colonization experience and the unique farming and manufacturing experience, all within a natural ecological setting. It is a historic site — the story of the last parcel of land owned by the founders of Yorkton, the York Farmers’ Colonization Company. Not only was the company responsible for the settlement of this area, it also continued to be involved in sale of lands, loans and other business transactions at intervals over the span of 65 years, until its dissolution on Dec. 17, 1947. Visit this site throughout the spring, summer and fall. The Dulmage Farmstead has been designated as a Municipal Heritage Property on March 8, 2004. The history was researched by Yorkton volunteer of the project, Rob Kirkness, engineer with Sask. Water
Contact Terri Lefebvre Prince,
Heritage Researcher,
City of Yorkton Archives,
Box 400, 37 Third Avenue North
Yorkton, Sask. S3N 2W3
306-786-1722
[email protected]
