Regina, 100 Years Ago

Growing up in Regina, Saskatchewan, I never fully appreciated the city until later in life. As a young adult, I had envisioned finishing my studies, finding a job in a bigger city, and only returning to Regina for visits with family and friends. However, my experience turned out to be different than I had expected.

After earning a business degree from the University of Regina, I was eager to explore a larger metropolitan area. At the time, Regina had a population of around 150,000, and many of my peers were leaving the province in search of better job opportunities. I also wanted more than just work, so I took the opportunity to teach English in Seoul for a year. This was a life-changing experience that taught me to appreciate the benefits of living in a smaller city.

When I returned home to Regina, I was pleasantly surprised by the changes that had taken place. I had gained a new perspective and appreciation for my hometown. This newfound love for Regina sparked my curiosity and led me to dive deep into the city's history. I am particularly fascinated by old photographs from the early days of Regina.

It's amazing to think about how people lived in Regina a century ago and how much the city has changed since then. In 1912, the city was bustling with high expectations for its future. During a recent tour of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building, I learned that the building was designed to accommodate a massive population. Former Premier Walter Scott envisioned that the Legislative Building was just the beginning of the Capital grounds, with the belief that Saskatchewan's population would reach several million people.

As you step back in time through the images of Regina's past, you'll notice how much the city has changed over the years. Here are some interesting facts and context to accompany your journey:

As you explore the images of Regina's past, keep these facts and events in mind to gain a deeper appreciation for the city's rich history and evolution over time. For fun I pulled images of shops, so lets take a small shopping trip with the lady in white in the picture below.

We visited a few stores on Dewdney Avenue

and picked out some shoes for the kiddos, 

not a bad day ;-)

Luckily we avoided visiting when the Regina Cyclone of 1912 happened. On June 30 it would become not only one of the deadliest tornadoes in Canadian history, but it also had a significant impact on the development of the city. The destructive tornado tore through the city and killed 28 people.

If you're interested in Saskatchewan-themed items, I should plug a few of my Saskatchewan items that we offer- you might recognize a few of the images on products that you can find on our website. They make great souvenirs or gifts for anyone who loves Saskatchewan. Plus, you'll be supporting local artists and businesses with your purchase.