Old Photographs from Fort Saskatchewan (1890-1930)

December 4, 2025 Tyler Dixon History, The City

Fort Saskatchewan traces its roots to 1875 when the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) established a post along the banks of the North Saskatchewan River. Originally named Sturgeon Creek Post, it was soon renamed “Fort on the Saskatchewan” due to its strategic position. Historically, its location was important to many Indigenous groups who were drawn to the area by the abundant Birch trees along the river, which they used for building canoes. Rather than rebuilding in nearby Edmonton, the NWMP expanded this fort, establishing the community that would become Fort Saskatchewan.

Fort Saskatchewan
n.d. – View of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta with North Saskatchewan River in foreground.

As settlers gathered around the fort, a village was incorporated in 1899, followed by town status in 1904, and finally city status in 1985. The arrival of the Canadian Northern Railway in 1905 was a major milestone for the burgeoning community. In 1915, a provincial jail was built on the site of the old fort, reinforcing the town’s role as a centre of law and order.

Fort Saskatchewan
1890 – Formal portrait of Major A.H. Griesbach, Commanding Officer of G. Division, North West Mounted Police, Fort Saskatchewan. Photographer is Frederick Steele.

Today, Fort Saskatchewan is a thriving city of more than 25,000 people, located just northeast of Edmonton. The city balances its industrial heritage, anchored by oil-and-gas activity in the region’s “Industrial Heartland”, with a strong sense of history and community. In its downtown core, residents and visitors can explore the Fort Heritage Precinct, which includes a reconstructed NWMP fort, a historic railway station dating to the early 20th century, and the warden’s residence from the former jail.

Fort Saskatchewan
1894 – North West Mounted Police (NWMP) church parade.
Fort Saskatchewan
1894 – Major A. H. Griesbach and Sergeant-Major J. T. Flintoff, G Division.
Fort Saskatchewan
1894 – Mounted Parade, Review Order of G. Division.
Fort Saskatchewan
1894 – Foot parade and drill order.
Fort Saskatchewan
1894 – Group of dogs, G Division.
Fort Saskatchewan
1902 – View of Government Street.
Fort Saskatchewan
1903 – S.A.Dickson law office.
Fort Saskatchewan
1905 – View of crowds gathered to see the first Canadian National Railway train entering Fort Saskatchewan.
Fort Saskatchewan
1905 – The CNR entering Fort Saskatchewan Nov. 8, 1905.
Fort Saskatchewan
1905 – Canadian National Railway (CNR) Leaving Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta.
1906 – Charles King, a murderer, in condemned cell.
1909 – View of a paddlesteamer carrying a crowd of people from McDougall Methodist, Edmonton, to a picnic in Fort Saskatchewan. Caption on photo reads “A Jolly Crowd – McDougall Methodist S.S. Picnic to Fort Sask. Aug.28th, 09.” Photographer is Burk Photo.
1915 – View of Dennis Avenue.
1916 – Car with Jim West standing and Spencer Holmes in car, near Fort Saskatchewan.
1910 – Plowing with horses, A. Quillet Farm. Fort Saskatchewan can be seen in the background.
1920 – Plowing near Fort Saskatchewan, Auclair Lamoureuse Farm. This is one of the first tractors in the area.
1923 – View of the road leading to Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta.
1923 – Tea in the harvest field at Cottesmore farm.
1923 – Aerial view of the Royal North Western Mounted Police barracks in Fort Saskatchewan. Caption on photo reads “R.N.W.M.P. Barracks at Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., Headquarters of G Division R.N.W.M. Police.”
1923 – Stacking hay at Lord Rodney’s farm.
1925 – Fort Saskatchewan.

For similar posts featuring other historical forts please see these previous stories: Old Photographs of Fort Dunvegan, Historic Photos of Fort Chipewyan, Historic Photos from Fort MacLeod, Historic Photos of Fort Edmonton, and Vintage Photographs of Fort Calgary.

1930 – George Becker, Tailor.

The photos above were collected from the Provincial Archives of Alberta and Archives Canada. If you’re interested, additional information can be found for each photograph on their websites. Stay tuned for additional posts featuring historical photos from across Alberta and Western Canada. We’d love to know what you think in the comment section below.

About Tyler Dixon 246 Articles
Tyler is originally from Saskatchewan, and yes he cheers for the Roughriders, but don’t hold that against him as Calgary has been his home for the past eight years. He is a teacher working at a wilderness- based treatment program for youth working to overcome addiction. Tyler is also a volunteer with the GOT Parks initiative, which aims at reconnecting Canada’s youth with our national, provincial, and territorial parks. During his time away from work, Tyler enjoys outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, and snowboarding, team sports, travelling, photography, spending time with good friends, and being at home with his wife and German Shepherd, Rome.
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