North Battleford celebrated a century of city status Wednesday.
Festivities in Central Park and at the Dekker Centre May 1 marked the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of North Battleford as a city.
In 1913 North Battleford reached the magic number of 5,000 people for city status, according to the census of the time. North Battleford was proclaimed as a city at the stroke of midnight May 1, 1913, to become the fifth city incorporated in Saskatchewan.
The main activity in the afternoon Wednesday was a Centennial Proclamation Party in Central Park, next to the public library and near the location of a time capsule set up to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the city in 1988.
There, Mayor Ian Hamilton read out the original Royal Proclamation from 1913 of North Battleford's city declaration, the same one that was read by then Mayor D.S. Walker 100 years ago.
Hamilton then added the familiar slogan of the City's Centennial festivities in 2013: "The past is told. Let the future unfold."
Approximately 300 people were there for the festivities Wednesday, which included serving of a centennial cake, a ringing of the bells and sounding of the horns at 3:55 p.m., and performances by the Battlefords Children's Choir and by North Battleford Comprehensive High School. NBCHS put on a centennial play that looked back on the events in the community a century before.
Musical artist Kurtis Kopp performed an official centennial song he had written and recorded, entitled Centennial Begins.
Also on hand for the celebrations were Canadian National, in recognition of the contribution that the railroad made to the rapid growth of North Battleford in its early years.
It was the decision to locate the Canadian Northern railroad line in North Battleford that is widely credited for spurring growth of the community in the early 1900s. To celebrate, CN provided rides on a miniature train that proved a popular attraction on nearby 101st Street.
Giving her greetings on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II was Lt. Gov. Vaughn Schofield, who along with her husband Gordon Schofield was in attendance for the celebrations.
"Happy birthday, North Battleford," Schofield said.
"You can be very proud of your community because North Battleford embraces diversity, values the arts and heritage, is key to the economy of the Northwest and because North Battleford is absolutely full of volunteers."
Schofield added, "your city has a fascinating history, including a proud First Nations heritage, the days of the railway expansion at the turn of the last century, and the times when homesteaders came by the thousands in search of a better life. The people of North Battleford have lived through good times and difficult times. You and your ancestors have survived challenges through perseverance and you have built a home through community spirit."
Among those other dignitaries in attendance who joined Mayor Hamilton and members of council were MLA Herb Cox of the Battlefords and MLA Larry Doke of Cut Knife-Turtleford, as well as Derek Mahon, mayor of Battleford and himself a former North Battleford resident. Councillor Ray Fox also brought greetings representing the First Nations community.
A letter of congratulation was also received from Battlefords-Lloydminster, MP Gerry Ritz, who could not be in attendance.
The events in Central Park coincided with the annual Teddy Bear Clinic that took place within the North Battleford Public Library, providing further family-oriented activities.
That evening, festivities shifted to the new Dekker Centre for the Centennial Gala, a dinner and theatre performance to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the city. Those attending were encouraged to wear formal or period attire.
The most compelling part of the entire day was perhaps the opening of the time capsule in Central Park in the afternoon.
The time capsule project was begun to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the city in 1988, but the time capsule itself was not sealed until April 30, 1990.
The contents included two boxes of items that remained sealed and unopened until May 1.
When the time capsule was opened Wednesday, several parcels of items were unveiled. Among those contents were a letter from Pope John Paul II addressed to the mayor of the City of North Battleford; an official city dog tag; copies of the Battleford Telegraph and the Battlefords News-Optimist; a light bulb from the top of the water tower; a 1988 loonie minted in 1987; the official seal of the City of North Battleford; several other 75th anniversary items; and a message of congratulations from Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, among others.
All the items from the time capsule will go to the City of North Battleford Historic Archives. The plan for later this year is for a new time capsule to be sealed, containing items to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the city.
Perhaps most interesting of the contents was a letter dated April 24, 1990 written by the mayor of the day, Glenn Hornick, addressed to the current citizens of North Battleford.
Hornick was on hand to personally present the letter to Mayor Hamilton, who then read the contents of the letter to those that had gathered.
Hornick's letter stated:
"As I prepare this brief note today the weather is just beautiful! Bright sunshine and the gentle breeze make this 18 degree Centigrade temperature very beautiful. I really should be enjoying this day on the golf course. But first things first."
"We have talked about this project, the time capsule, for over two years and the engineers, architects and fundraisers have finally completed their work, and I understand we will be sealing the capsule on April 30, 1990 - slightly behind schedule but with all good intentions.
"North Battleford is an agricultural community and we are all very pleased to see our farmers on the land. Our agricultural industry has been suffering for at least four years and we are looking forward with eager anticipation to the results of this year's harvest.
"As I look forward to the future, I have tremendous confidence that our city will prosper and grow. At present the City is in a strong financial position, with cash reserves large enough to protect future generations, provided management and judgment remain strong."
"May the Good Lord continue with his blessings on this great city and all the world. It is my hope when this time capsule is opened, the whole world will be living in peace and happiness, in harmony with the environment and our Creator," the letter stated.
It concluded with the signatures of Mayor Glenn Hornick and of Ann Fylyma, secretary to the mayor.
