History of Furdale

Furdale, a hamlet located to the south of the City of Saskatoon, has a very unique background. The land was originally granted to the Hudson’s Bay Company, then sold to Mr. Hanson and Associates, who then subdivided it. The land north of Cartwright Street was developed from 1910 to 1912 as the Glencairn Development complete with streets and sewer pipes. It was then sold to Dr. Turner who farmed it until selling it to the City of Saskatoon.

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People often ask, “Where did the name Furdale come from?” The neighbourhood of Furdale was originally called the community of Earl. It was on the CNR mail line as Sub Box Office # 10. There was no significance in the name of Earl. It was a name the Grand Trunk Pacific used to place it in alphabetical order. The CNR ended with Zelma east of Saskatoon then started over again with Allan, Bradwell, Clavet, Duro, and then Earl.

 

In the late 1920’s and early 1930’s, fox farming was increasing in popularity and continued until demand for long-haired fur started to wane about the mid 1950’s. Fox ranches were here before the roads, and dirt trails connected the ranches. Mink took over in popularity and continued until about the mid 1970’s. In the mid 1960’s mink pelts were approximately $75 each. Some fur ranchers were the Pulses, Mahoneys, Watts, McKays, Turners and Campbells. In about 1970 the animal rights activists put an end to this era with the last mink ranch owner retiring on November 15, 1975. As well, around 1950, a group of neighbours formed a curling club and called it the Furdale Curling Club. The area was renamed Furdale in the 1960’s.

 

After the decline of the fox and mink ranches, in about 1955, people wanting to live off the land by growing their own fruits and vegetables and owning their own livestock started to move into the neighbourhood.  These places were called “small holdings”. Most of these people were employed at the CNR since the CNR yards were in the 2600 block of Lorne Avenue. SaskPower/Energy employees also lived here as did race horse owners since the Exhibition race track was so close. Many First and Second World War veterans purchased land because the Veterans Land Act would allow them to purchase land at 2% interest over 25 years. The land had to be purchased within 15 years after the war (so before 1960).

 

Market gardening has a lengthy history in Furdale and continues to be very popular. Three of the founding members of the Saskatoon Farmer’s Market were long time Furdale residents. Archie Campbell’s sweet corn was a favourite, as many residents from Saskatoon and surrounding areas have attested to.

 

A brown school building from the Prairie Home School District was moved into Furdale in 1955 and served grades one to four.  It was renamed “Furdale School” and had six students in its final year. The new Canadian flag with the maple leaf had just been distributed but was never flown; only the Union Jack was ever flown on that flagpole. The school was on site until 1998.

 

Another school, a white one, was moved onto the east side of 3762 Schoolhouse Road in 1960 (Grades 5 to 8). The school’s first teachers were Miss Smith and Mr. Bob Sparrow. Its last teacher was Miss M. Palchinski.  Both schools closed in November of 1965. 

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Reginald, Haliburton, Mount Royal Avenues and Schoolhouse Street were all built in the 1920’s. Pearson and Makaroff Streets were built in 1969.