Archives – Page 10 – Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

Ancient Trail Mapped

April 7, 2013November 2, 2021 Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

FROM EAGLE HILLS TO MANITOU LAKE

manitou lake battleford trail by lloyd how — By Lloyd How

Lloyd How’s interest in local history and archaeology is reflected in a new acquisition to our archives.

Ancient trails crisscrossed this country mapping the routes that were used by the First Nations, the European explorers, the North West Mounted Police and then the immigrants that followed. One such trail crossed the lands that Lloyd and his wife, Noreen, lived on before they retired to the town of Cut Knife. They both grew up seeing the evidence of the trail as indentations in the prairie soil and recognizing that it is disappearing.

This ancient trail was used by the local River Cree as they traveled from the area where the Battle and Saskatchewan Rivers joined at the Eagle Hills (Battleford) to Manitou Lake, Sounding Lake and further into Alberta. These lakes are considered sacred by the First Nations and were often visited via the trail.

Anthony Henday used this trail in 1745 as he made his way through what is now Western Canada.

Along the trail are many areas that were used for centuries for camping, hunting and trapping. Lloyd consulted local Cree elder, Wally Simaganis, written historical accounts, and locals who remembered seeing the trail. Then he spent countless hours exploring and mapping.

Thank you, Lloyd and Wally, for all of your work in the mapping of this ancient trail to keep alive stories of this corridor and the fading memories of those who walked or rode along it.

~ Lucille B.

Archives, Events

SCAA Meeting

June 23, 2012November 5, 2021 Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

The Annual meeting of Sask Archives and Archivists was at Cut Knife today. People who are dedicated to preserving our written and pictorial heritage.

I love the meeting of creative minds and exciting ideas. Nothing boring about archivists.

~ Lucille B.

New Map Case

June 6, 2012November 24, 2021 Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

Thanks to Sask Council of Archives and Archivists and Sask Culture through Sask Lotteries for the Institutional Grant funding to help us with a storage unit for our over-sized photos, maps and artwork. It is awesome!

~ Lucille B.

News Clipping 1920s

May 29, 2012November 25, 2021 Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

news clipping from cut knife grinder paper

This is a clipping from the Cut Knife Grinder in the 1920’s. I found it amusing that Mr. Phillips decided to have such a drastic career change. From accountant/bank teller to the much more exciting village policeman, dog catcher and tax collector.

I wonder what the reporter meant when he said that he hoped Mr. Phillips wouldn’t try and catch dogs with his new car??

~ Lucille B.

Archives, Events

Puzzle Pieces Fitting Together

May 9, 2012November 25, 2021 Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

Lorie & Jeanne, with the sometimes help of Louise, have been turning pages of old editions of the local newspaper. Turning, turning, turning. Searching in almost 100 years of newspapers for clues as to what business was open when and where in Cut Knife.

Sometimes it is necessary to take our questions to coffee row to have information validated by the ‘local experts’. Sometimes we have had to bring in one of these knowledgeable people to help fill in missing pieces of information. It is almost time to refine the signage and get it ready to put in place for the Centennial Celebration on June 30th.

Inevitably there will have been some information that was missed and there may have been some mistakes that are beyond our control. Yet the information gleaned will be there for others to access well beyond the Celebration this year.

Well done, ladies.

~ Lucille B.