North Battleford – Population: 19,374 (2021 census) Battleford – Population: 3,651 (2021 census)
Further on Route 16 west, the twin towns of the Battlefords located on either side of the North Saskatchewan River will arouse your curiosity. The town of Battleford, on the south side and North Battleford, on the other side, form what is commonly known as the Battlefords. Two historical events of importance in the West led to the creation of the two cities. Like many Canadian towns, Battleford was originally a fort erected in 1876 by the North West Mounted Police. It also served as the active seat of the Northwest Territories government from 1876 to 1883 before it became Regina.
Battleford Court House is worth a look. Saskatchewan's well-known architects Storey and Van Egmond designed several buildings in the province, including three courthouses. They completed the Battleford Court House in 1909. The Government House National Historic Site is worth seeing as it was the first official location of the Northwest Territories government. Chosen for its commanding presence atop a hill that overlooked the river valley and the thriving community of the territorial capital of Battleford, 'Government House' conferred a sense of authority and established a government presence in the Northwest Territories. The original building was built in 1876-1877 as the first permanent residence of the Territories Lieutenant Governor and the legislative center of the appointed Territorial Council. More than two-thirds of Canada's geographic landmass was administered from this location from 1878 to 1883 when the territorial capital was moved to Regina. The building burned down in 2003. All that remains is the large brick chimney and the foundations, but several interpretation panels highlight the heritage interest of the place.