Lafleche is a small town (though definitely the largest within the RM) of 373 people and both the RM and Town boast a rich history. Two written projects detail the history of the district, Golden Memories of The Wood River Pioneers and Memories of the Wood River District 1940-2000.
Homesteaders first arrived in the old Lafleche town-site in 1908 and settlement followed quickly.
Below is an excerpt from the former (the excerpt in turn is an excerpt from Wrigley’s Saskatchewan Directory).
“Lafleche is located on the Weyburn-Lethbridge branch of the C.P.R., about 30 miles west of Assiniboia and lies 48 miles north of the International Boundary, in the center of one of the best farming districts in southwestern Saskatchewan … With a population of 450, the largest of any village on this line, and a territory 10 miles wide by 50 miles long from which it draws trade, Lafleche is a very busy and prosperous point … There is still room for new people with new business, as well as opportunities to purchase businesses now going or well equipped farms in the surrounding district.”
Below is an excerpt from the same book, this time an excerpt itself of “Growing up in a Prairie Town” by Malcolm Galbraith.
“One could easily write a book about growing up in those years in a Prairie town. We had room to move, clean air, the whole community was our gymnasium. We skated, swam in Wood River, played baseball, curled, played tennis, had field days. As growing boys and girls we had few of the ‘problems’ the same age groups have today.
Above all, we had dedicated people in our homes, schools, churches and our communities. As one looks back one is compelled to say to all those parents, teachers, ministers, priests and many others, ‘Thank you’.”
It is with great pride that many people call this place home, and our community is one chock-full of volunteers and community spirit. Browse our website to get a feel for the community; call, email or stop by the Town/RM office with any questions you may have; or stop by any of our businesses, sports nights, or events to see what we have to offer.
