Cathedral in Regina in Sherwood No. 159, Saskatchewan — The Prairie Region (North America)
Saskatchewan Government Telephones Head Office
Provincial Heritage Property
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 20, 2022
1. Saskatchewan Government Telephones Head Office Marker
Telephones were introduced into Saskatchewan in the early 1880s, but it was not until 1908 that a government agency was created to manage them. Constructed in 1924, this structure was the first official head office for Saskatchewan Government Telephones. Designed by the prominent Regina architectural firm of Van Egmond and Storey, it was built by one of Saskatchewans leading contractors, Poole Construction. Much of the planning and operation of the Province-wide telecommunications network occurred in this building, the corporate head office until 1964.
Erected 2001 by Government of Saskatchewan.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Communications • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.
Location. 50° 26.493′ N, 104° 37.1′ W. Marker is in Regina, Saskatchewan, in Sherwood No. 159. It is in Cathedral. It is on Albert Street (Provincial Highway 6) just north of College Avenue, on the right when traveling south. The marker is beside the sidewalk on the right side of the building entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2340 Albert Street, Regina SK S4P 2V7, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast 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 Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Albert Memorial Bridge (approx. half a kilometer away); Pile of Bones Creek
this page online
Regarding Saskatchewan Government Telephones Head Office. Canadian Register of Historic Places (2000/02/16).
From the Canadian Register Statement of Significance:
The heritage value of the Saskatchewan Government Telephones Head Office lies in its status as the first purpose-built head office for Saskatchewan Government Telephones. The provincial government entered the telephone business in 1908 with the purchase of the Saskatchewan assets of The Bell Telephone Company of Canada. The growth of the Department of Telephones in the post-World War I period necessitated the construction of a building to house the department's administrative staff.
The heritage value of the propertyalso lies in its architecture. Designed by the provincially noted architectural firm of Van Egmond and Storey, the building is an excellent representation of the Stripped Classical Style common amongst public buildings of the post-World War I period. The building features the simplified entablature, engaged pilasters and symmetrically arranged window and floor plans typical of the building style and in keeping with the Telephone Department's policy of constructing attractive buildings designed to create an image of strength, stability and functionality. The incorporation of geometric motifs in the brick work of the spandrels and on the north faηade of the building, along with the decorative stone carvings surrounding the entryway, made the structure an attractive and unobtrusive addition to the formerly residential neighbourhood.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 20, 20222. Saskatchewan Government Telephones Head Office MarkerThe marker is beside the sidewalk on the right side of the east/front building entrance.
The heritage value of the Saskatchewan Government Telephones Head Office also resides in the integrity of the building. In addition to the original faηade, the building also retains the original metal frame, segmented windows. Of note is the intricate plaster plaque in the ground floor lobby featuring a moulded motif of a telephone and lilies, the provincial flower. These interior elements show how the images of attractiveness, stability and functionality were perpetuated inside the building and provide a rare look at the craftsmanship, building materialsand spatial arrangements used in 1920's offices.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 20, 20223. Saskatchewan Government Telephones Head Office
Also see . . .
1. Saskatchewan Government Telephones Head Office (Canadian Register of Historic Places).
Excerpt: The Saskatchewan Government Telephones Head Office is a Provincial Heritage Property occupying one large commercial lot in the City of Regina. The property features a two-storey brick and stone office building constructed in 1924.(Submitted on November 25, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. SaskTel (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corporation, operating as SaskTel, is a Canadian crown-owned telecommunications firm based in the province of Saskatchewan. Owned by the provincial government, it provides wireline and wireless communications services, including landline telephone, mobile networks, broadband internet (including copper DSL, fibre to the home, and wireless broadband), IPTV, and security services.(Submitted on November 25, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
SaskTel was established pursuant to the Telephone Acts as the Department of Railways, Telegraphs and Telephones on June 12, 1908, and through acquisitions of other independent telephone companies (including the Bell Telephone Company of Canada's Saskatchewan operations in 1909) quickly became the dominant government-run telephone operator in Saskatchewan.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 24, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 68 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 25, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
