Battleford in Battle River No. 438, Saskatchewan — The Prairie Region (North America)
North-West Council Government House
Preserve Our Heritage
| | A Saskatchewan Historic Site | |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2022
1. North-West Council Government House Marker
The North-West Territories Act of 1875 provided for the administration of the territories by a resident Lieutenant-Governor and an appointed Council.
The North-West Council held its first session in 1877 at Fort Livingstone while permanent offices were being constructed at Battleford.
A governors residence and council chamber, as well as quarters and offices for government officials, were constructed in 1878.
Lieutenant-Governor David Laird called the second session of the Council here in August 1878.
Magistrates Matthew Ryan and Hugh Richardson, Commissioner of the N.W.M.P. James F. MacLeod, and Pascal Breland, a prominent Mιtis, were early members of the council.
In 1883 the capital was moved to Regina.
The governors residence and a council chamber still stand a mile east of here.
Erected by Saskatchewan Department of Natural Resources.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical year for this entry is 1877.
Location. 52° 42.902′ N, 108° 18.938′ W. Marker is in Battleford, Saskatchewan, in Battle River No. 438. It is on Old Saskatchewan Highway 4 (Provincial Highway 658) 1.1 kilometers west of Provincial Highway 4, on the right when traveling
this page online
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 Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Land Registry Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Battleford Land Registry Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Seat of the Territorial Government 1878-1883 (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Government House, Battleford (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Government House Battleford (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); a different marker also named Government House (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Indian Industrial School (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Seventh Day Adventists Academy (approx. 0.6 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Battleford.
Also see . . .
1. North-West Territories Act (Canadian Encyclopedia).
Excerpt: The North-West Territories Act, passed by the Liberal government of Alexander Mackenzie in April 1875, was an attempt to improve government administration and direct the development of the North-West Territories. Established in 1870, the North-West Territories was the first Canadian territory. It covered a vast area, stretching from Labrador to the Rocky Mountains and from the forty-ninth parallel to the Arctic Ocean.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2022
2. North-West Council Government House Marker
Looking north from Provincial Highway 658.
2. Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: The Legislative Assembly was first known as the Temporary North-West Council and was created in 1870. The first appointments to the council were made on December 28, 1872. The Temporary Council was dissolved in 1876 and a new permanent council was appointed and moved to the new capital of Fort Livingstone in 1876. The council moved to Battleford a year later based on the planned location there of the Canadian Pacific Railway.(Submitted on December 11, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
The first building built for the needs of the Assembly was NWT Government House in Battleford. That building also served as a residence for the Lieutenant Governor. In 1883 the Assembly moved to Regina.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 11, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 52 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 11, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
