Battleford in Battle River No. 438, Saskatchewan — The Prairie Region (North America)
Seat of the Territorial Government 1878-1883
Siège du gouvernement territorial 1878-1883
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2022
1. Seat of the Territorial Government 1878-1883 Marker
In February 1876 Battleford, on the projected rail and telegraph lines, was chosen as the site of the new capital of the North-West Territories, and that summer construction was begun on quarters for the government. Battleford was formally designated capital on the 7th of October 1876, but it was not until the 10th of July 1878 that Lieutenant-Governor David Laird and his Council, who had been using temporary quarters at Fort Livingston, first met here in the new Government House. The later decision to run a railway along a more Southerly route led to the transfer of the capital to Regina on the 27th of March 1883.
Battleford qui se trouvait sur le tracé du chemin de fer et du télégraphe, fut choisi en février 1876 comme nouvelle capitale des Territoires du Nord-Ouest. Les travaux de construction des édifices du gouvernement débutèrent à l'été. Le 7 octobre 1876, Battleford devint officiellement capitale, mais ce n'est que le 10 juillet 1878 que le lieutenant-gouverneur David Laird et son Conseil, installés temporairement au fort Livingstone,
this page online
Erected 1976 by Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada/Commission des lieux et monuments historiques du Canada.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 10, 1878.
Location. 52° 42.738′ N, 108° 18.494′ W. Marker is in Battleford, Saskatchewan, in Battle River No. 438. It is on 3 Avenue West 0.4 kilometers south of Old Saskatchewan Highway 4 (Provincial Highway 658), on the right when traveling south. Marker is located at the north end of the Old Government House Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Battleford SK S0M 0E0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Parkland Saskatchewan. It is also in the Prairies. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony and also Rupert’s Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Government House, Battleford (a few steps from this marker); Government House Battleford (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Government House (within shouting distance of this marker); Indian Industrial School (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2022
2. Seat of the Territorial Government 1878-1883 Marker
Regarding Seat of the Territorial Government 1878-1883. Canadian Register of Historic Places, (1984/03/27).
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Old Government House, Battleford, Saskatchewan
Also see . . .
1. Government House, Battleford.
Chosen because of its commanding presence on a hilltop that overlooked the river valley and burgeoning community of the Territorial capital of Battleford, Government House imparted a sense of authority and established a government presence in the North-West Territories. Constructed in 1876-1877, the original building was the first permanent residence of the Territories' Lieutenant-Governor and the legislative centre for the appointed Territorial Council. More than two-thirds of Canada's geographic(Submitted on December 4, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)land mass was administered from this location from 1878 until 1883, when the Territorial capital was moved to Regina.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 20223. Old Government House Ruins(looking north • located about 50 yards south of the marker)
2. Government House (Battleford).
Government House in Battleford, Saskatchewan served as the seat for the government of the Northwest Territories between 1878 and 1883 (the area that now makes up Saskatchewan was part of the Northwest Territories until the province was created in 1905). Originally a two-storey Carpenter Gothic wood structure designed by architect Thomas S. Scott, it was altered with Mansard roof that gave the building a third floor and expanded into a 3-floor complex. The building was constructed in 1877 but used for a short time for government administration centre. From 1883 to 1984 several institutions call the building their home. The structure was destroyed by fire in 2003. Today only parts of the buildings foundation and the chimney remains.(Submitted on December 4, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. The Old Government House.
From 1876-1883 Battleford was the seat of government and known as the Territorial Capital of the Northwest Territories (now Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories).(Submitted on December 4, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)1878-1882: Lieutenant-Governor
David Laird's residence. It was the Government Office and Chambers when Battleford was Capital of the Northwest Territories.
1883: The Capital was moved to Regina.
1883-1914: Indian Industrial School under the Anglican Church.
1916 - 1931: Seventh Day Adventist Academy.
1931: Sold to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
1932-1984: St. Charles Scholastic Seminary.
1976: Designated as a Municipal Heritage Site.
1984: Designated a Provincial Heritage Property.
2003: The vacant site - leased to Battle River Settlement Foundation Inc., as part of a restoration project, was destroyed by fire in the summer.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 251 times since then and 19 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week July 7, 2024. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 4, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
