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The city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan was founded in 1883 on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River by John Neilson Lake of the Temperance Colonization Company. Since it's founding Saskatoon has been a principal service and economic center supporting the surrounding agricultural development in the form of family farms. In the late 1930's Saskatoon found itself coping with the great depression and the effects of the accompanying drought that affected a great deal of the agricultural lands of North America.2
Cattle auctions were held regularly in Saskatoon where cattle farmers would come to buy and sell their livestock.3
A livestock auction in Saskatoon1930
Saskatoon Exibition Grounds, Saskatchewan, Canada
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New farming and harvesting techniques and equipment were also demonstrated. These demonstrations were common at the annual Saskatoon exhibition.5
Steam thresher demonstration at the Saskatoon exhibition during Pioneer Days.1938
Saskatoon Exibition Grounds, Saskatchewan, Canada
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The annual exhibition also had rides and games and was an anticipated event for the people at the time.7
Saskatoon exhibition merry go round1938
Saskatoon Exibition Grounds, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Like many cities in the 1930's Saskatoon was greatly affected by the Great Depression. The drought that existed on the praires during the 1930's had a hard impact on a city that served as a strong support base for agriculture. Charitable organizations and the city did their best to help out those affected by the depression.9
Front display window of the City of Saskatoon Relief center.1938
Downtown Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Saskatoon Star Phoenix headlines June 27, 193827 June 1938
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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World events in the late 1930's were leading to increasing tension between the British Commonwealth and the rise of fascism in Japan, Germany, Italy and Spain. In 1937 some Canadian volunteers were fighting against the Spanish fascist forces of General Franko. Saskatoon supported volunteer militia organizations that trained out of the Spadina Armoury and at Camp Dundurn approximately 30 kilometers south of Saskatoon.12
Reserve demonstration platoon in front of Spadina Crescent armoury1930
Downtown Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Militia artillery man posing in front of the Spadia Crescent armoury1938
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Militia artillery training camp Dundurn just south of Saskatoon1938
Camp Dundurn, South of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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