Woodrow History

Woodrow Today

As we look at Woodrow today, it is hard to believe that our quiet Village of Woodrow was once the busy "Town of Woodrow". Like most rural towns, Woodrow has gone through many changes over the years, and yes, we are still going through a few more changes. Woodrow has two elevators, two churches, and of course we have our Co-op Centre and a Post Office. Recently, the riding club opened in the Woodrow Memorial Rink, which had not been used for many years. The roof of the rink was in bad shape and had to be replaced. The Wood River Riding Club took an interest in the rink in 1997, guiding the transformation from "rink" to a "riding and roping" arena. Everyone is happy to see the Rink being used once again.

In 1983, a new United Grain Growers elevator was built and in 1987 a new Co-op building was built in the old school yard on highway 13. Over the years we have seen many building torn down or moved away, but we have also seen some growth.

Woodrow's Past

Let us look back at how Woodrow came about. The town site, which is situated on NW 35-8-6-3 was purchased from Mr. J. Hall in 1913. There was a lot of growth right away. Some of the buildings which were built in 1913 were: Eisnors' general store, Mr. A. Linnell and Mr. A. W. Sabin's Implement Agency Office, Mr. J. Steven's real estate and insurance office and butcher shop, and Mr. Augus McCarter also build a feed barn with the Hamiltions. That same year, Mr. C. C. Ball built the first restaurant in Woodrow. Because of all the building, lumber was in short supply, so all building came to a halt in August of 1913.

On September 4, 1913, the train made it to Woodrow on what was then called the Weyburn - Lethbridge branch. This was a great accomplishment as many supplies could be brought by rail and passenger service brought families too. One of the families that were reunited on that first passenger train in the spring of May, 1914, was the Hunt family, when Lily and her two daughters (Beatrice and Mable) came out west to be reunited with husband and father. To read of how one of many families made their way to Woodrow, click here (Hunt history).

Many more buildings were built in Woodrow after the railroad reached the town, including the Woodrow Lumber Yard and the Galvin Lumber Yard, which opened for business in October of 1913. Mr. O. Davis built a General Store, and E. Jackson built the first hardware store. A barbershop and pool room were built by Mr. E. Wood and Mr. Eliason. Later that fall, Mr. H. Douglas started a restaurant and the Young brothers built a livery and feed barn. During that first year many residences were built, along with four elevators and three coal sheds. Among other buildings that followed were a hardware store built by Harper Brothers and a funiture and general store were built by Mr. McLaughlin and the Froehlick brothers. A Massey Harris warehouse was built by Mr. R. Crooks and Mr. Little. The Shear family built a Blacksmith shop and garage. A hotel was planned, but only got as far as having the basement built when c

onstruction was halted. The Bank of Toronto (now known as the Toronto Dominion Bank) opened in Woodrow next, and then on January 15, 1914, Woodrow got it's first town policeman, Mr. K. Biffart. As time went along Woodrow had it's first street lights installed in 1915 - gas lamps that had to be lit by a lamplighter every night. Wooden sidewalks were built during this time.

The Woodrow School was built in 1916, which at that time was a two room school (two more rooms were built on in 1926, the school closed in 1972). The Presbyterian Church was also built in 1916 (the Presbyterian church burned down in 1922, and a new church and a manse were built at the same site). The church later became the United Church and still stands at the time of this writing. Among other buildings that were built during 1916 were a livery barn built by Mr Levey, who also had a draying business with his brothers. Draying was the service offered by people who delivered goods from the train to the local residences and businesses. The Fire hall and council chambers were also built in 1916. The Woodrow Co-op was started in 1918, on Railway Avenue. A bowling alley was built by a Mr. Lautermilch and in 1919, Woodrow got it's first newspaper "The Woodrow Light". In 1922, Mr. Roy Henderson and partner Mr. J. Jones bought the City Garage and repaired the light plant, which was in the garage. Jones and Henderson wired homes, businesses and the streetlights for Woodrow, converting the lights from gas. Mr. Henderson and Mr. Jones supplied electricity to Woodrow until 1928, at which time the Dominion Electric Company took over. Later, in 1947, the Saskatchewan Power Corporation supplied power to the town.In 1926, the Anglican Church was built, cement sidewalks were also laid and in 1927, the Woodrow Municipal Hall was opened.

As the 1930's approached, things began to change - the depression was very hard on Woodrow and its community, for many people were forced to leave the area. Things were never the same after the depression, and Woodrow continued to decline. There were a few new buildings (including homes) built over the years. The Woodrow Memorial Rink was constructed in 1952 to honor the men and women who fought in both World Wars, for example. The Woodrow Gospel Chapel was built in 1958, and later in 1982, the United Grain Growers built a new elevator and the Woodrow Co-op built a new building in 1987.

The Anglican Church closed in 1967 and was sold to the Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star. When these two organizations closed in 1988 and 1989 they turned the buildings over to the Village of Woodrow. The former Anglican Church is now our fine village office. (update: The Village of Woodrow was turned over to RM 74 on March 1, 2002.)

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