In 1899 Karl travelled through the Assiniboia District of the North-West Territories, and six years later, in 1905, it became the province of Saskatchewan. Then in 1906, Regina was named the capital of Saskatchewan, a significant improvement for this geographical area that was originally called ‘Pile of Bones’.
Saskatchewan was booming back then, the railway had ignited Canada’s economy, and settlers were required to live and work in the Prairie provinces. This prosperity coincided with the decision to build a legislative building on the newly acquired 168 acres on the south side of Wascana Creek.
From 1908 to 1912, the building was constructed, and today it’s considered one of the most historic properties in Saskatchewan. The building is three-storeys high, formed of limestone, and designed according to the Beaux-Arts principles of symmetry, grandeur, and ornamentation. A nod to the British Empire but also the romance of France
Free tours of the legislative building are available Monday to Friday for 30 minutes, focusing on the building's function, architecture, and history. I signed up for a tour with Susana*.
The building was designed to reflect the British Empire and featured some French style elements. There are supposedly 34 different types of marble in the building. I didn’t count them, but Susana pointed to the creamy Italian marble on the walls, the bases of the pillars in Irish marble, Vermont marble on the floors, and exquisite columns made of marble from Cypress.
The grounds outside are equally impressive, formally landscaped with flower gardens, manicured trees, and a bronze statue of the Queen riding a horse. The horse is Burmese, the Queen’s favourite horse that she rode for 17 years, gifted to her by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
I hope you enjoy the photo collage from Behind the Scenes at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building:
*I asked Susana, my tour guide, to sign my autograph book, particularly about what she loves about Saskatchewan: “I love the people in Saskatchewan. I also love the summer nights when the sun doesn’t go down until 10:00 pm, and you can see beautiful sunsets.”
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