The George Dulmage home “The Acres” on the Dulmage Farmstead within the boundaries of the Ravine Ecological Preserve in the western part of the city limits. This farmstead once upon a time consisted of two dwellings and an array of buildings for a farming and manufacturing operation. It is a parcel of land within part of a quarter section originally owned by the founders of Yorkton, the York Farmers’ Colonization Company. While no buildings remain of this farm, there are several remnants of the foundations. Markers have been erected to tell the story of the land, the Native people of the area, the Colonization Company, the folklore throughout the years, the location or approximate location of the farm and manufacturing buildings, and what purpose they served. A good number of volunteers have been involved in the improvement and development of this site over the years, and in the research and work of the production and erection of the signage. This site is one of Yorkton’s very special tourist attraction: a farmstead within town or city boundaries, not taken over by commercial or housing developments. It is a valuable experience for generations to come, where they can learn through the signage and walking around the acreage, the history of pre-settlement, the colonization experience and the unique farming and manufacturing experience, within a natural ecological setting. It is the story of the last parcel of land owned by the York Farmers’ Colonization Company — the company not only responsible for the first several years beginning in 1882, of the settlement of this area, but also of its continued involvement in sale of lands, loans and other business transactions over the span of 65 years, until its dissolution on Dec. 17, 1947. Visit this site throughout the spring, summer and fall. The Dulmage Farmstead was designated as a Municipal Heritage Property on March 8, 2004.
This edition of History Corner originally ran in the June 2, 2010 issue of Yorkton This Week.
Terri Lefebvre Prince.
