By Craig Baird
As Yorkton began to grow in the 1890s, there became a need for the local merchants to come together to form an association to help promote not only their businesses, but the town itself. As a result, 36 businessmen from several trades came together and asked for permission from the federal government to establish a board of trade. George C. Bull, an insurance agent and one of the 36 men, wrote to the Under-Secretary of State, Joseph Pope, for permission and included the $5 registration fee.
The big day came on Jan. 18, 1898 when the Yorkton and District Board of Trade was officially recognized by the federal government. The organization quickly began promoting the development of Yorkton's community, while achieving co-operation between the many businesses in town.
One of the first things that the board began working on was to make Yorkton an extensive trading centre for the area. In 1900, the year that Yorkton became a town, members addressed the poor train service as something that was hampering the growth of the community. As a result, they asked the Canadian Pacific Railway to increase the number of trains per week to Yorkton, to which the CPR agreed, increasing the weekly runs by three freight trains and three passenger trains.
After this big victory, a big setback came for the board when the CPR increased its rates by three cents per mile. The board of trade protested loudly but it fell on deaf ears. One big reason why this happened, was because there was no support in the business community of Yorkton for the board of trade at this point and in 1902, the board of trade disbanded.
The board of trade was not gone for long, and once again poor train service brought them together in 1904 in order to help Yorkton once again. At this point, the board of trade was going to last a lot longer.
In the 1920s, the board of trade had one of its greatest moments when they approached the Grand Pacific Railway and requested a branch line from Regina to Yorkton. The company quickly agreed and construction began on the new line.
The board of trade would continue to have great success over the years, and in 1958, they would officially change their name to the Yorkton and District Chamber of Commerce, with the broadened goal of promoting the town and bringing tourists in. In 1964, the board of trade once again changed its name, becoming the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce. Four years later, they hired their first secretary in Margaret Taylor, who would soon become manager. She would stay with the chamber until 1975.
