Wood Mountain Post Provincial Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wood Mountain Post Provincial Park |
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| Location | RM of Old Post No. 43,  Saskatchewan,  Canada |
| Current use | Historic site |
| Governing body | Saskatchewan Parks |
| Owner | |
| Official name: Wood Mountain Post Provincial Historic Park | |
| Designated: | 1986 |
Wood Mountain Post Provincial Park is a special historical park in Saskatchewan, Canada. It's about 5.5 hectares big. This park became a recognized historic site in the 1960s. Later, in 1986, it was officially named a provincial park.
This park was once a base for the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP). The NWMP was like Canada's early police force. Their post here was open from 1887 to 1918. The police set up this post to work with local Indigenous peoples. They also patrolled the border between Canada and the United States. Plus, they handled general police duties in the area.
Wood Mountain Post Provincial Park is located in the RM of Old Post No. 43. You can find it along Highway 18. It's about 8 kilometers south of the village of Wood Mountain. The park is also about 35 kilometers north of the Canada–United States border. It sits in the Wood Mountain Hills. Near the park are Wood Mountain Creek and Wood Mountain Regional Park. The provincial park has a picnic area. The nearby regional park offers a campground for visitors.
Contents
The Story of Wood Mountain Post
In 1874, the North-West Mounted Police went on a long journey west. This journey was called the March West. They were going to deal with a big event known as the Cypress Hills Massacre. Along their way, they used a supply depot in the Wood Mountain Hills. This depot was first used by the Boundary Commission. That group was surveying the border between Canada and the United States.
Early Police Presence
The NWMP used this depot on and off from 1874 until 1887. They worked to stop people who were breaking the law. These included people involved in illegal trading and theft.
Sitting Bull's Refuge
In 1876, a famous leader named Chief Sitting Bull arrived. He came with about 5,000 members of the Lakota Sioux nation. They were seeking safety at the post. This happened after the Battle of the Little Bighorn in the United States. They stayed in the Wood Mountain area for five years. After that, Chief Sitting Bull and many of his people returned to the US. The First Nations people who stayed in Saskatchewan are now known as the Wood Mountain Lakota First Nation.
Changes to the Post
The Wood Mountain Post closed in 1883. But it reopened in 1885 because of the North-West Rebellion. Two years later, the old buildings were in bad shape. So, new buildings were built about 300 meters to the south-east. These new buildings were across Wood Mountain Creek. This new spot is where the provincial park is today. The original site is now Wood Mountain Regional Park. The Wood Mountain Post closed for good in 1918.
Rebuilding and Protecting History
In the 1960s, the Wood Mountain Post site was recognized as an important historical site of Canada. Two buildings were rebuilt exactly where they used to be. These were a barracks (where soldiers lived) and a kitchen/storehouse. The foundations of other old buildings were also marked out.
Many old items, called artifacts, have been found at the site. The locations of old cellars and trails have also been discovered. These artifacts and the rebuilt buildings help tell the story. They show what life was like for Major James Morrow Walsh of the NWMP. They also show his important talks with Chief Sitting Bull.
See also
- History of Saskatchewan
- List of National Historic Sites of Canada in Saskatchewan
- Canadian Register of Historic Places
- List of historic places in rural municipalities of Saskatchewan
- List of protected areas of Saskatchewan
- Tourism in Saskatchewan
