Dillon, Saskatchewan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dillon
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 Dillon
Location in Saskatchewan
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| Country | Canada | |
| Province | Saskatchewan | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 86.32 km2 (33.33 sq mi) | |
| Population
(2011)
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| • Total | 764 | |
| • Metro density | 8.9/km2 (23/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central Standard Time) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 | |
| Postal code |
S0M 0S0
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| Highways | Hwy 925 | |
Dillon is a small community in northern Saskatchewan, Canada. It is located in a large forest area called the taiga or boreal forest. Dillon sits on the western shore of Peter Pond Lake, right where the Dillon River flows into it.
This community is the main office for the Buffalo River Dene Nation. You can get to Dillon by taking Highway 925, which connects to Highway 155.
Contents
A Glimpse into Dillon's Past
Dillon has a long history, especially linked to the fur trade. This was a time when people traded animal furs for other goods.
Early Trading Posts
Long ago, in 1790, a company called the North West Company had a trading post near where Dillon is today. They called it Lac des Boeufs Post, which means Buffalo Lake Post. A year later, in 1791, the Hudson's Bay Company also set up a trading post nearby. These posts were important places for trading furs and supplies.
John Franklin's Visit
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In 1819 and 1820, a famous explorer named Sir John Franklin visited this area. He made a note of the North West Company's post on Buffalo Lake (which is now Peter Pond Lake). He also noted the Buffalo River, which is now the Dillon River. His maps helped people understand the geography of the region.
The Post Office and Name Changes
The first post office in the area opened in 1926. It was called Buffalo River. However, it closed just three years later in 1929.
In 1954, the post office reopened, but this time it was given the name Dillon. This change followed a bigger shift in names that happened earlier.
How Dillon Got Its Name
In 1932, several official name changes took place in the area:
- The community's name changed from Buffalo River to Dillon.
- The river's name changed from Buffalo River to Dillon River.
- The large lake, Buffalo Lake, was renamed Peter Pond Lake.
Also in 1932, a smaller lake on the Dillon River, west of Vermette Lake, was officially named Dillon Lake. The Dillon River actually starts far away in Alberta, near Lake Winefred.
