Memories: Road construction in the early 1900s

Wide load on a narrow road

This photo was taken in 1952 when a wide load made its way down a narrow prairie grid road. This is how large barns and houses were moved long distances and arrived at their destination intact and ready for use at their new location. In this case, four tractors provide the power to move this barn down a Saskatchewan country road. Photo Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan

Road construction in the early 1900s

It's road construction season on the prairies, with signs posted and traffic slowing down as the work continues. However today's road construction can't compare to road construction that took place in the early 1900s. It was a very slow, tedious and labour intensive endeavour. Photo Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan

Lancer's first combine, 1928

Harvest time will be here before we know it. This photograph from the community of Lancer was found at the Provincial Archives. It was noted this was the first combine to appear in the Lancer district in 1928. The photo was donated by Ernest Spence, who donated numerous photographs of the Spence family's life in the Lancer district almost 100 years ago. Photo Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan

Tribute to Canadian TV anchor Lloyd Robertson

Legendary Canadian TV anchor Lloyd Robertson died August 4, 2026, at the age of 92. This excerpt from the 1958 Eaton's Christmas catalogue captures his image as a young man modelling men's shirts. Don Gauthier, who met Robertson at a book signing about a decade ago, says Robertson told him he took the modelling work to earn a few extra dollars that year. Photo (courtesy Don Gauthier, from the 1958 Eaton's Christmas catalogue)