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History Gull Lake, which is a translation of the Indian word "Kiaskus", was originally named after a small lake northwest of town. This lake was later drained and no longer exists. In 1984, the Saskatchewan Department of Tourism and Small Business 1984 issued a brochure entitled 'Community Profile - Gull Lake' which made the following statement: "Gull Lake was named by a Professor John Macoun, a botanist with the Dominion Government. Mr. Macoun, while studying flora and fauna there, became impressed with the number and variety of gulls that visited the small lake situated just north of the community. Hence he derived the name Gull Lake." Before the settlers came west, Gull Lake was a no man's land - a buffer zone between the Assiniboine Cree and their enemies, the Blackfoot. At this time, the area had been declared unfit for cultivation by the Palliser Expedition. In 1883, the construction of the railway passed through the area, so a station and a section house were built, alone in the vast expanse of the prairie. The Gull Lake town site was once part of the 130,000 acre '76 ranch. Built in 1888, the '76 Ranch House, now used as the Gull Lake School Division Office, is one of the oldest standing structures in southwest Saskatchewan. Before 1905, the '76 Ranch suffered a series of disasters, because the townsfolk were lacking knowledge of ranching and weather conditions on the prairies. In 1905, Conrad and Price, two American millionaires who were part of a development company, began to set up the town. The two developers bought the Gull Lake block, surveyed the town site, and prepared to sell lots. During the years 1906 through 1912, Gull Lake experienced its biggest building boom ever. It was not until the early months of 1906 that the actual period of development took place because of the influx of first land seekers. Conrad and Price had control and jurisdiction of the original town site and the 10,000 acres enclosed in the old '76 fence. Since the set up of Gull Lake's town site was influenced primarily by Conrad and Price, the town site was different from other communities along the main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway whose locations had been set up and planned by the railroad. From the beginning of settlement until incorporation, Gull Lake was a company town. Conrad and Price's agent had jurisdiction over all affairs affecting the citizens. Therefore, it was largely left up to the individual to bring into effect improvement and development of the town. The Royal North West Mounted Police patrolled the area regularly and enforced law and order. However, by the late fall of 1908, citizens were becoming concerned and aware of the necessity for setting up a system of authority and administration to take over the responsibilities of municipal affairs. It is not known who was responsible for taking the preliminary steps, but some interested person followed the regulations, and apparently in the later months of 1908, articles of incorporation were granted, and the village of Gull Lake came into being. 1909 marked the year of the first official village council meeting. The settlement of Gull Lake began to experience growing pains as the board of trade, already several years in existence, petitioned the council to take the steps to incorporate as a town. In 1911, Gull Lake's population was in excess of 1200 people, and by 1912, Gull Lake was a town with several services, including a doctor, hospital, school, and newspaper. Automobiles began to make an appearance in the community by 1914. Council began to prepare a by-law to regulate traffic and the conduct on town streets. Horse and oxen drawn traffic were given priority over other transportation methods. By March of 1914, council began to prepare a by-law for the installation of water works. Next to Cabri, Saskatchewan, the Gull Lake area (which was once pronounced a desert by James Palliser) led the world in grain production in 1915. At the time, Gull Lake's population was 700, and it remained there even through the dirty thirties. Another important historical note that occurred that year in October was George McLeod's appointment to the position of policeman; the town had been without a policeman and needed someone to help in the enforcement of law and order. When oil and natural gas were discovered in the area in the 1950s, Gull Lake's population increased. Presently, the town's population is approximately 1200 people. As in the 1950s, Gull Lake's economy continues to be driven by three major business sectors: farming, ranching, and oil and gas exploration and production. Athletics and recreation also play important roles in the community, and Gull Lake has been home to several provincial championship baseball and football teams. As Gull Lake faces a new century, the pioneer spirit of the old '76 will continue to thrive.
A special thanks to the 1989 Town of Gull Lake History Committee. Much of the information found for this history web page was taken from their book "Gull Lake Memories - A History of the Town of Gull Lake". For more information concerning Gull Lake's history or the Gull Lake History Book, the history committee can be contacted at the following address:
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