Attractions

Fairly Lake and the Swinging Bridge

In 1902, the Canadian Pacific Railway dammed Wolf Creek to create a water supply for its operations, and the area became ideal for settlers. The dam soon became known as Fairly Lake, and, in 1905, the first swinging bridge was built across it at a cost of $300. The bridge was blown down in 1954, but it was rebuilt in 1964. That bridge was blown down again in 1991, and in 2004, the bridge was rebuilt at a cost of $250,000. It is still standing today and is crossed over 50,000 times each year.

Wolseley Town Hall/Opera House

Nestled in the heart of downtown on the corner of Richmond and Varennes, the Town Hall/Opera House is one of Wolseley's most famous attractions. Built at a turn of the century as a Town Hall, Fire Brigade, and Opera House, this attraction was restored in the early nineteen-nineties. It serves as an illustrious gathering place for weddings, socials, and community events.

The Wolseley Town Hall/Opera House is one of Saskatchewan's last remaining turn of the century designed, small town, multi-purpose public buildings. The original Town Hall plans provided room for council chambers, the Mechanics Institute (the library), a fire hall, a jail cell, and above all, an auditorium. The auditorium was usually called the "Opera House."

The building was in continuous use from 1907 until structural problems forced closure to the public in 1989. Some aspects of its use never changed during that time frame; for instance, it was always home to the fire brigade and the library.

The east side double doors take you to what once served as the home of the fire brigade. Horse drawn equipment included a pump, chemical engine, ladder wagon and hose reel. In those days the Fire Hall had doors at the east and west end. Horses did not back up that well. This section of the building stored a modern fire truck right up to 1989 . At that time, the purchase of another new truck meant the brigade simply outgrew its home after eighty years. In recognition of fire brigade history, the Fire Hall sign above the east door was left in place.

Wolseley Courthouse

Built in 1894, the Wolseley Courthouse has served many purposes. Though originally conceived as a courthouse - the oldest territorial one in Western Canada - it has also been a North West Mounted Police jail, a boy's detention home, and part of Lakeside Nursing Home. The courthouse has not been used for legal court duties since its closure in 1909. It will probably stay this way for many years to come, but the Town of Wolseley is taking steps to bring it closer to its judicial roots. In the future, they plan to develop it into an interactive law archive as well as a comprehensive public legal education centre, the first of its kind in Canada.

In July 2008, a team of Architectural Technician students from SIAST Palliser Campus in Moose Jaw traveled to the Courthouse to take pictures and dimensions of the interior and exterior of the building as part of their education program. A report was then provided at no cost to the Town. The report - which includes detailed architectural plans, suggested upgrades, and artistic representations of the interior - is available to be viewed at the Town Office.

However, refurbishing the courthouse will require detailed financial budgeting and resource planning. Ultimately, a project of this magnitude in a small community must capture the interest of federal and provincial governments as well as establish creative partnerships with legal associations.

Wolseley and District Museum

Located on Blanchard Street, just one block east of Sherbrooke Street and Wolseley's downtown district, The Wolseley and District Museum is located within an old boarding house and within the original offices of the Beaver Lumber Company. The buildings were restored in the early 1980s to maintain their original characer. The museum houses many artifacts from the turn of the century.

The brothers E.A. and R.S. Banbury founded Beaver Lumber in Wolseley in 1906.

Downtown Wolseley and the Perley Block

Wolseley's downtown is the heart of the town. Home to many of Wolseley's major businesses, and only seconds away from the historic swinging bridge, Town Hall/Opera House, Courthouse, and Museum, this is the place for both visitors and locals to see. While it doesn't offer much in the way of shopping, it is worth the time to see the Perley Block and Leland Hotel on Sherbrooke Street, and the Front Street block between Richmond and Sherbrooke.

While the facades of these buildings have changed over the years, they still echo Wolseley's past. The Leland Hotel is still in operation at its current location, and has been since 1923. The Perley Block was erected in 1906 after a fire destroyed the entire block in 1905. While none of the original businesses are still in operation in the Perley Block today, it still serves as an invaluable building to the community. The upper floor has been converted into modern apartments, while the main floor houses the Western Financial Group, Total Body Fitness, the Wolseley Medical Clinic, and the Wolseley Artisan's Gallery.

Across the street, and on Front Street, a similar story can be told. Head First Beauty Salon and the Canada Cafe on Sherbrooke, and Wolseley AG Foods, Grant Tax and Investment, TD Canada Trust, and Horizon Credit Union on Front, are present within renovated versions of the original buildings.