Beechy, Saskatchewan

Beechy is a village in southwest Saskatchewan, in the Coteau Hills area of the province, at the intersection of highways 342 and 737. As of 2006, the village's population is 243 (down from the 2001 population of 295). [cite web |url=http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4707062&Geo2=PR&Code2=47&Data=Count&SearchText=Beechy&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= |title=Beechy on Statistics Canada|accessdate=2007-05-20]

History

The Beechy area was first settled by ranchers in the early years of the 20th century, with Robert Cruikshank being acknowledged as the first settler in the area. [cite web |url=http://www.beechysask.ca/history.htm |title=History page on beechysask.ca|accessdate=2007-05-20] Starting in the 1910s, the large-scale immigration of Europeans to the Canadian Prairies resulted in an increase in population for Beechy as well, attracting settlers who started ranching and farming in the area, which remains Beechy's primary activity today.

In 1919 the Canadian National Railway surveyed the Beechy area and determined it to be an ideal place for a marketplace. Work on the railroad was begun; news of the future railroad stop attracted merchants. The train first arrived on December 21, 1921.

The growth in population brought other much-needed services to this rural community, the first grain elevator was set up in 1922, and the first hospital a few years later. Originally, Beechy's health services consisted of just one medical practitioner, and the "hospital" was based out of a private residence, with extra rooms built on for wards. This hospital was used until 1966, when the RM of Victory opened Beechy Union Hospital.

In 1925, Beechy's population reached the required 100 residents to upgrade Beechy's status to "village".

Recreation

One of the first baseball teams in the area was formed in Beechy in 1911. Baseball is still played in the village today by the Beechy Breakers.

Beechy's first organized hockey team played during the winter of 1935-1936. After World War II, those Beechy residents who served overseas, which included the entire hockey team, returned to Beechy and created the Beechy Bombers hockey team. The first skating rink was built in 1952.

The first agricultural fair was held in the area in 1922. The agricultural society was organized in 1936 and granted its charter in 1945. The first racetrack was built in 1948, the following year the first harness races were held, and the community hall was finally built in 2000.

The biggest event in Beechy is the Beechy Western Days rodeo, first held in 1968.

Beechy today

Like many of Canada's agricultural communities on the Prairies, population in Beechy has steadily been declining, due to the aging population, and farmers leaving their farms because they are no longer profitable. In 1991, the Beechy hospital was closed by the provincial government (the former hospital now serves as a clinic). Surrounding rural schools were closed too, however, schoolchildren in the RM of Victory are bussed to Beechy for their education.

Notable residents

Elwin Hermanson - politician. Represented Beechy on the federal level as the Member of Parliament for Kindersley—Lloydminster and was the Reform Party House Leader and then represented the area provincially, becoming the first leader of the Saskatchewan Party and Leader of the Opposition until 2003 when he relinquished the leadership.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.beechysask.ca Village of Beechy website]