Moose Jaw Trail

Description of the Historic Place

The Moose Jaw Trail, and its associated public art installation and naturalized area, commemorates an existing historical remnant of the original wagon cart trail. The trail is located in Mark Thompson Park in the neighbourhood of Stonebridge.

Heritage Value

Between 1882 and 1890 virtually all arrivals in the settlement of Saskatoon arrived by way of the Moose Jaw Trail (also known as the Stone House Trail and the Clavet Trail). The trail began on Main Street in Moose Jaw and continued through Saskatoon on the east-side of the South Saskatchewan River.  Everything needed by the small initial settlement of Saskatoon - from cattle to millwork; to guns and hardware - came over the trail. The trail is also linked to the Northwest Resistance, as it was used to transport Louis Riel to Regina where he was subsequently hanged on November 16, 1885. After 1890 with the opening of the railway to Saskatoon, the trail continued to be used until the development of the municipal road system. 

The Moose Jaw Trail, which was eventually used by automobiles, was abandoned in the 1930s. With continued development and growth of the city, the remnants of the old trail are now contained within city limits. To ensure preservation and interpretive functions related to the use of the Moose Jaw Trail, two special use parks were created - the Mark Thompson Park and Patricia Roe Park. These special use parks contain undisturbed natural area that also preserve the relic wagon trail ruts of the old Moose Jaw Trail. The Moose Jaw Trail Installation is also located here. Designed by Jill Anholt, the installation consists of a series of inter-related sculptural forms and text elements to interpret the trail's history.

Source: City of Saskatoon Built Heritage Database

Character Defining Elements

Key elements which contribute to the heritage value of this historic resource include:

• Those features that relate to the its historical and cultural significance including its original location, public art installation, the surrounding remnants of the Moose Jaw Trail and the naturalized area.