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Govenlock
Govenlock is an unincorporated community within the Rural Municipality of Reno No. 51, Saskatchewan, Canada. It previously held the status of a village, with a peak population of 151 residents; its village status was dissolved on January 1, 1976. The former townsite of Govenlock is located on Highway 21 and Highway 13, also known as the historic Red Coat Trail, about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) east of the Alberta–Saskatchewan border and 25 kilometres (16 mi) north of the Canada–United States border. Although many cement foundations and wooden sidewalks can still be found scattered around the town site, the only building that still stands as of 2010 is the old community hall and a commemorative plaque in remembrance of Govenlock's history.[citation needed]
In 1910, a Moose Jaw resident by the name of William Govenlock moved to the area with his family after applying for a homestead. They were one of the first pioneer families of Southwest Saskatchewan. In 1913, Govenlock negotiated a land deal with the Canadian Pacific Railway, starting a new town later named in his honour. That same year he established a post office for the area, with his wife Bessie as the first postmaster.
In 1914, pioneer John Linder built Govenlock's first hotel. The hotel stood two storeys tall with ten rooms. Three years later, James Gaff stopped at the hotel for a rest; after finding out that no rooms were available, Gaff immediately purchased the hotel for $4,500.
In the early part of the 20th century, Govenlock had a Canadian Pacific Railway station, a section house, multiple grain elevators, and a chamber of commerce. Businesses included two general stores, blacksmith shops, a livery barn, two machine agencies, a pool room, a laundromat, a school, a meat shop, and a service station selling Model T Fords. Most of these businesses were connected by wooden sidewalks, a common feature in the pioneer prairie days.
After Montana's prohibition declaration in 1919, large groups of Americans from that state frequently crossed the border by train to visit Govenlock to purchase booze.
Four liquor warehouses were established in the centre to serve the booming liquor trade. Gambling and parties became common, attracting not only thirsty people from across the border, but many bachelors from all parts of southwestern Saskatchewan who wanted to let loose.
A pool room and two-storey dance hall building were built and owned by Henry Buss. These took advantage of American customers waiting for their liquor orders, offering a game of pool or high-stakes poker table to fill the time. Revelry and good times were staples in Govenlock during their early days.
To avoid legal problems, American bootleggers would have to obtain a tourist pass at Canada border entry points. They would come to the pioneer town with their car trunks weighed down with sand bags, in order to avoid suspicion later when they returned with a trunk full of heavy booze.
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Govenlock AI simulator
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Govenlock
Govenlock is an unincorporated community within the Rural Municipality of Reno No. 51, Saskatchewan, Canada. It previously held the status of a village, with a peak population of 151 residents; its village status was dissolved on January 1, 1976. The former townsite of Govenlock is located on Highway 21 and Highway 13, also known as the historic Red Coat Trail, about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) east of the Alberta–Saskatchewan border and 25 kilometres (16 mi) north of the Canada–United States border. Although many cement foundations and wooden sidewalks can still be found scattered around the town site, the only building that still stands as of 2010 is the old community hall and a commemorative plaque in remembrance of Govenlock's history.[citation needed]
In 1910, a Moose Jaw resident by the name of William Govenlock moved to the area with his family after applying for a homestead. They were one of the first pioneer families of Southwest Saskatchewan. In 1913, Govenlock negotiated a land deal with the Canadian Pacific Railway, starting a new town later named in his honour. That same year he established a post office for the area, with his wife Bessie as the first postmaster.
In 1914, pioneer John Linder built Govenlock's first hotel. The hotel stood two storeys tall with ten rooms. Three years later, James Gaff stopped at the hotel for a rest; after finding out that no rooms were available, Gaff immediately purchased the hotel for $4,500.
In the early part of the 20th century, Govenlock had a Canadian Pacific Railway station, a section house, multiple grain elevators, and a chamber of commerce. Businesses included two general stores, blacksmith shops, a livery barn, two machine agencies, a pool room, a laundromat, a school, a meat shop, and a service station selling Model T Fords. Most of these businesses were connected by wooden sidewalks, a common feature in the pioneer prairie days.
After Montana's prohibition declaration in 1919, large groups of Americans from that state frequently crossed the border by train to visit Govenlock to purchase booze.
Four liquor warehouses were established in the centre to serve the booming liquor trade. Gambling and parties became common, attracting not only thirsty people from across the border, but many bachelors from all parts of southwestern Saskatchewan who wanted to let loose.
A pool room and two-storey dance hall building were built and owned by Henry Buss. These took advantage of American customers waiting for their liquor orders, offering a game of pool or high-stakes poker table to fill the time. Revelry and good times were staples in Govenlock during their early days.
To avoid legal problems, American bootleggers would have to obtain a tourist pass at Canada border entry points. They would come to the pioneer town with their car trunks weighed down with sand bags, in order to avoid suspicion later when they returned with a trunk full of heavy booze.