* Daily News:September 26, 1997

The First Trans-Canada Auto Trip

Halifax: August 27, 1912 <<<    >>> Victoria: October 17, 1912

Daily News: September 26, 1997

Indian Head, Saskatchewan

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Today's Statistics: Travelling from Moosomin, Saskatchewan to Indian Head, Saskatchewan
Distance: 163 km Driving Hours: 3 h Fuel: 32 l Weather: Sunny Temperature: Min. 8 Max. 27

After burning the midnight oil to read all their anniversary cards and letters, Lorne and Irene Findlay (as well as Peter Findlay and John Nicol) headed back out on the road today. The Findlays were still remarking about the wonderful friends and relatives they have across the country and in the U.S.A. Once again, they would like to express their sincere thanks for many kind thoughts. It was a memorable anniversary.

Today's drive took the Reo through wide prairies occasionally dotted with small stands of trees or small, swampy ponds. Often the air smelled of sulphur from the gasses emitted from these swamps. One notices these things when travelling in an open Reo.

Sights along the way included hay bales drying in the sun, farmers burning their fields and grain being loaded onto rail cars bound for the west coast, all signs of the end of another farming season. Motorists in passing cars and trucks continued to honk and wave and even a few CP freight trains blew their whistles and offered a friendly wave.

Also along the way the Reo passed through Moose Mountain Provincial Park. The park includes all the area around lake Kenosee and is home to Moose, Elk, many varieties of birds and hundreds of beaver lodges.

The day's drive ended at the small community of Indian Head. Indian Head was selected as the town name after a disease killed off most of the local native population in 1883. The town had been settled in 1882, a few months before the C.P.R. came through. Shortly afterwards, in 1886, the Canadian government opened up The Dominion Experimental Farm, one of several across the country. The farm is still active today, the site of much farming research and development. In 1902, Indian Head was the site of the first Territorial Grain Growers Association. This association was the first of many cooperative farming and marketing organizations.

Indian Head's huge statue stands alongside highway 1 at the entrance to the town. It is over 1500 kilograms of concrete and was placed there in 1985 to catch the attention of passing tourists. The tiny town of Indian Head, located in the heart of Saskatchewan farming country, has played an important role in the growth of the farming industry for over 100 years.

Hay bale





Many fields are dotted with these circular bales of hay left to dry in the autumn sun.









Indian Head





The town of Indian Head was named after a disease killed many local people in 1883.













loading grain





Loading grain directly from truck to rail car. This truck was carrying grain to be used as bird feed.








Picture of the Day ... She said, "I want you to autograph my shirt."


On this day in 1912 ...