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North West Mounted Police Historical Silhouette

Located on a power pole at the corner of Commercial St. and Glasgow Ave.

In 1873 the government of Sir John A. Macdonald created the North West Mounted Police to assert Canadian sovereignty and enforce Canadian law in the newly acquired North-West Territories.

In 1885, the North-West Rebellion broke out along the North Saskatchewan River valley. Driven by a combination of political and economic issues, Louis Riel and his Métis followers intended to form a provisional government, gain the support of the Cree First Nation, defeat the mounted police, and seize the region, forcing the Canadian government to negotiate. After the rebellion failed, the N.W.M.P. continued enforcing the laws of the land, including treaties with the native peoples, which often were very restrictive to the Indian Nations.

As the railways moved West, detachments of the North West Mounted Police were established at the end of the line. Langenburg had an outpost in 1887. Saltcoats detachment was opened in 1888 as part of a division with one Sergeant and six Constables. In 1891 a Saltcoats Sub-Division was formed with detachments at Fort Pelly, Yorkton, Quill Plains, Sheho Lake, Langenburg, Crescent Lake, and Saltcoats.

The Inspector had a small house provided for his living in Saltcoats, and the barracks were in a two-story house, or the men were boarded in private homes. Drill was held twice a week when the Inspector was in town. In 1899 Saltcoats ceased to be a sub-district. From this time until the detachment closed in 1903, Sergeant Armor and one Constable served the area.

In the local history book, Saltcoats Roots And Branches, pioneer C. Fehrenbach wrote this true story “Around 1895 the whole of the North West Territories was on the Indian List, but by some unknown means a ten gallon keg of whiskey found its way into town and before long several of our good folks were enjoying themselves. The Police Inspector, Mr. McGibbons, a very strict man, found the reason why and seized the keg of whiskey and decided to ship it to Regina. As there was just one train a week, everyone would gather at the station for the big event. So we were all there early one Monday morning. The keg of whiskey sat on the platform being guarded by the police force, McGibbons included. (The station platform was made of planks about 2 feet from the ground. One of our good sports went under the platform with two pails, a brace, and a bit, while several others kept up a dance on the top of the platform. Consequently, an empty keg was shipped to Regina and everybody, except McGibbons, celebrated.