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Interesting Facts
- Historians have traced the title of Saskatoon's first industrialist to none other than a woman by the name of Grace Fletcher. A prominent member of the community and staunch women's rights activist, Grace sold buffalo bones to the United States to be manufactured into fertilizer. In addition to the bone business, Ms. Fletcher also ran a general store, livery stable and land agency. Through her business success in what many would have considered a man's world, Grace demonstrated that the pioneer spirit prevailed in not only men, but women as well.
- Established by the Methodist Temperance Colonization Society, Saskatoon was originally a dry city and no alcohol was to be served within its boundaries. However, in 1899, the first bar received a license to operate within the city proper. Such a protest was waged over the scandalous establishment that the license to operate was withdrawn the very next year. Ultimately, establishments serving alcoholic beverages prevailed with modern day Saskatoon offering a fine selection of bars, lounges and nightclubs.
- Saskatoon is named after a purple colored berry that grows in the region. The Cree Indian name "misakwatomin" denotes the berry that was important to the native inhabitants of the area. The Indians used the Saskatoon Berry in various foods, and the fruit branches were used as arrow shafts, thus making the berry trees particularly valuable. Today, the berries are popular in jams and pies. The Berry Barn, found just outside of Saskatoon city proper, infuses the berry into just about everything and makes a fine spot to purchase souvenirs and gifts made of this premier local ingredient.
- The Saskatchewan River cuts a path through Saskatoon, which accommodates seven bridges within the city limits. This multiplicity of bridges earned the city the nicknames "City of Bridges" and "Paris of the Prairies." Another nickname, "Toontown," became popular after the 1988 release of the movie, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" because of the film's location sporting the same name.
- Saskatoon has been recognized as the mining capital of Canada. In fact, it is one of the world's largest exporters of uranium and retains two-thirds of the world's recoverable potash reserve. In addition, the land also yields substantial volumes of petroleum, natural gas and gold.
- Saskatoon enjoys four distinct seasons including vibrant springs, fairly mild summers, colorful falls, and some pretty cold winters with temperatures dropping as low as -30C. Despite the cold weather, Saskatoon actually weighs in as one of the sunniest cities in Canada, receiving 2381 hours of sunlight annually.
- The beautiful University of Saskatchewan, located in Saskatoon, is a powerhouse when it comes to scientific research. Some of the first experiments aboard the space shuttle came about as a result of research done at the University's Innovation Place, one of the most successful university related research parks in all of North America.
- Saskatoon, a modern and technologically advanced city, has definitive pioneer underpinnings that can be evidenced by glimpses of cowboys and horse trailers alongside fast automobiles and university students. In fact, the width of the popular, stylish Broadway Avenue was first determined by the width of a 180-degree turn by a team of horses pulling a wagon. This prairie city stays true to its roots by hosting a myriad of festivals designed to celebrate its pioneer heritage.
- Saskatoon has raised several persons of note. The highly accomplished hockey player Gordie Howe hails from Saskatoon. Among his accomplishments are numerous hockey records including the distinction of being the only player ever to play in six different decades. Joni Mitchell, the famous folk musician, successful singer and songwriter, grew up in Saskatoon as well.
- Saskatoon, the largest city in Saskatchewan, is at the heart of Canada's agribusiness, producing and processing major export crops such as wheat, oats, barley, rye, flaxseed and canola. Additionally, Saskatoon is considered to be the agricultural biotechnology capital of Canada because of its cutting edge agricultural practices.
