Bienfait Saskatchewan, History and Genealogy Page

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BIENFAIT
SASKATCHEWAN
& AREA
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BIENFAIT
SASKATCHEWAN

Located in SE Saskatchewan,
Canada

located at:
Section - Township - Range
19 - 2 - 6
West of the 2nd Meridian
Latitude / Longitude-
49° 09' 00" N / 102° 49' 00" W
Alt= 1902 ft or 579m
_____________________________

Dec 29, 1904

The Village of Bienfait
was Incorporated Apr 16, 1912
by A. P. McNab
Minister of Municipal Affairs
Government of Saskatchewan
__________________________

Incorporated as a Town
Mar 1, 1957

The Town with the 100 ft wide Main Street!
Other streets were surveyed at 66 ft wide.
But you can turn a semi around in Main Street.

The Town is located between
the CNR tracks to the South,
and the CPR tracks to the North.
On the East of Town was the M&S Mine tracks
It is almost surrounded by the railroad!
Bisected in half, east to west by Highway 18
Which in town limits, is called Souris Ave.,
Today the Town has expanded north of the tracks,
and that is the location of
The Town Cemetery as well.
Population in 1915 was 150 persons
2006= 986 persons

Antoine Charles Bienfait
Born July 6, 1857
in Amsterdam
Died in Paris in 1899
Picture sent to me by
Dirk Hoogeveen, Regina,
with Thanks!

Meaning of the Name
BIENFAIT

The Town of Bienfait got it's name
from the Railroad.
Same as just about every other settlement
back in the early 1900's
Contrary to the popular belief
that it was named by a French Railroad worker
when he pounded in the last spike of the day
at the town location and was heard to say
"Bien Fait"
or "Well Done" in French.

This was the belief for many years,
but it is false.
The true meaning of the origin
is found in CPR files
They reveal that Bienfait
was named by the railway
for a member of a Dutch Banking firm,
based in Amsterdam Holland,
named Adolphe Boissevain & Co.
This banking firm played a large part
in introducing CPR shares
to the European Money Markets
to finance the construction of the
Railroad to places like Bienfait and Estevan.
The person who Bienfait
owes it's name is
Antoine Charles Bienfait
(born in 1857)
now you know the rest of the story!

Info above Copyright and Courtesy of:
Bill Barry's book, People Places

Small Towns
Small towns are an attitude
Toward helping one another.
Where each man finds special joy
In making glad the other.

A small town thrives on kindly words
And kindly deeds to share.
The essence of each day is this
Capacity to care.

Yes, small towns are an attitude
Toward loving simple things.
Like quilting bees and church bazaars,
And Christmas carollings.

A small town thrives on hayrack rides
And programs in the park.
With picnics and school affairs
And bonfires after dark.

The attitude is one of peace
From deeply thankful hearts,
Who saw the deeds that must be done
And gladly did their part.
(Author Unknown)

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DISCLAIMER

I do NOT live In, or Near Bienfait.
I am in NO way affiliated
with the Town Office,
or Any Local Business.
Only the Past Great History
is presented here.

I was born in Bienfait
and went to School there Grades 1-3.
My family moved to Estevan in 1958

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No Reproduction in Whole or in Part may be made
without the express Written Permission
of Doug Gent

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