Battleford in Battle River No. 438, Saskatchewan — The Prairie Region (North America)
The Saskatchewan Herald
Preserve Our Heritage
| | A Saskatchewan Historic Site | |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2022
1. The Saskatchewan Herald Marker
The Saskatchewan Herald was founded on this site in 1878 by Patrick G. Laurie. It was the first newspaper in the Territories. Laurie brought in his printing press by ox-cart from Fort Garry, a trek of 72 days.
His own publisher, editor, compositor and bookbinder, and first printer to the Territorial Government, Laurie edited the paper until his death in 1903. Members of his family continued the Herald until it ceased publication in 1938.
Erected 1959 by The Government of Saskatchewan.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1878.
Location. 52° 42.949′ N, 108° 18.101′ W. Marker is in Battleford, Saskatchewan, in Battle River No. 438. It is at the intersection of 2 Street South (Old Provincial Highway 658) and Provincial Highway 4, on the left when traveling east on 2 Street South. 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,
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Telegraph Flat (a few steps from 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); Oblate Seminary (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Seventh Day Adventists Academy (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); The End of an Era (approx. 0.6 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Battleford.
Also see . . . The Saskatchewan Herald (Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan).
Excerpt: The first newspaper in what was to become Saskatchewan was the weekly Saskatchewan Herald, started at Battleford in 1878. The Saskatchewan Herald was typical of early publications published on a weekly (or less-frequent basis) and dealing heavily in local and territorial(Submitted on December 11, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)news, with occasional national, European or Imperial news if the mail provided it. A biographer of its founder described the territorial press as being almost exclusively Conservative in its politics. Discovery, Civilization and Progress were the watchwords, along with Christian morality, were to provide the ingredients for a united and prosperous nation There was an almost irrepressible optimism in the future through the development of the West. Many publications of this sort began in the North-West Territories and pioneer-era Saskatchewan, though few survived.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 20222. The Saskatchewan Herald MarkerLooking north from 2 Street South; Saskatchewan Highway 4 is in the background.
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 101 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 11, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
