page_title: Fort Saskatchewan
section_title: Cultural
hierarchical_section_title: Fort Saskatchewan / Attractions / Cultural
caption_attribution_description: English: The replica of Fort Saskatchewan, with the horse stables on the left
context_page_description: Fort Saskatchewan is a mid-sized city along the North Saskatchewan River in Alberta, Canada. It is located 25 kilometres northeast of Edmonton, Alberta's capital city. Fort Saskatchewan is part of the Edmonton census metropolitan area and is one of 24 municipalities that constitute the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board. Fort Saskatchewan's population in the 2016 federal census was 24,149. Its population has since increased to 26,942 according to the city's 2019 municipal census.
  The city was founded as a North-West Mounted Police fort, and was later home to a large provincial gaol; the city prides itself on its "law and order" history. The original fort was located across the river from the hamlet of Lamoureux, and the city opened a replica of the fort next to its original site in 2011. Fort Saskatchewan is bordered by Strathcona County to the south and east, Sturgeon County to the north and west, and the City of Edmonton to the southwest. Sturgeon County is across the North Saskatchewan River.
  The city is most well known for its proximity to petrochemical facilities, including Dow Chemical, Sherritt International, Nutrien, and Shell Canada.
context_section_description: The 11-hectare Fort Heritage Precinct contains the Fort Saskatchewan Historical Society (c. 1958), and a variety of historically significant buildings that form a historical village. The precinct features a red brick courthouse which was constructed in 1909, and is on the Canadian Register of Historic Places. The historical village also contains the Soda Lake Church, the Castle School, and the Ludwig Kulak homestead – all three structures were relocated to the site from their respective locations around the region. A large machine shed and a blacksmith shop were completed in the spring of 1972, when the site of the historical village was initially being prepared.
  The Heritage Precinct also features a full-scale replica of the original NWMP fort, which can be explored in guided tours. Phase one of the replica fort, which included the Men's Quarters and the Officers' Quarters, opened in 2011. The fort also features a horse stable, a guard room with jail cells, and an ice house which was completed in the summer of 2017. The replica fort was constructed beside the site of the original fort to preserve the original site's archaeological integrity. The city has placed six sets of wooden markers to show the position of the original fort: one marker is at each of the four corners where the wall once stood, and two sets of markers indicate the positions of the original east and west gates (which provided access to the settlement and to the river respectively).
  
  Every May, the Historical Society hosts a two-day event called "The Peoples of the North Saskatchewan." This event allows local students to experience what life was like for residents in the early days of settlement. Activities include butter making, tug-of-war, and weaving. There are also opportunities to learn about Indigenous cultures, and students are able to ride a replica Red River Cart.
  Fort Saskatchewan is served by the Fort Saskatchewan Public Library located on 102 Street, in the same building as City Hall. The city is also home to a local theatre group, called The Sheeptown Players Drama Society, which regularly performs throughout the community.
caption: The replica of the original Fort Saskatchewan
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