Fort Battleford

Fort Battleford is a national historic site featuring five original wooden structures perched on a plateau overlooking the North Saskatchewan River. The buildings include barracks and officer quarters that show how people lived and worked at this location.

The fort was established in 1876 as the sixth North-West Mounted Police post in the North-West Territories and operated until 1924. It served as a central place during the major changes and conflicts that reshaped the region over those decades.

The site reflects the intertwined stories of First Nations, Métis, North-West Mounted Police, and settlers who shared this land. The buildings and exhibits reveal how these communities shaped the region together.

The site welcomes visitors with both guided and self-guided tour options available. The elevated location on the plateau means open exposure to weather, so it helps to wear proper footwear and dress for changing conditions.

The location witnessed what became the largest mass execution in Canadian history, when eight First Nations men were hanged there. This dark moment is now central to understanding the site and is reflected in its interpretation today.