History and General Interest
The R.M. of Frenchman Butte is steeped in a rich history. We are home to the Frenchman Butte Museum, a historical museum located in the Hamlet of Frenchman Butte, which houses artifacts and items dating back to the 1885 Northwest Rebellion. The Fort Pitt National Historic Site is located approximately 15 km west of the Hamlet of Frenchman Butte. The Cree Rifle Pits, the site of the battle in 1885 between the Cree and Major General T.B. Strange and his troops, are located approximately 5 km NE of the Hamlet of Frenchman Butte.
The historical Carlton Trail cuts through our municipality, extending from the south east corner on through to the North West corner. This route was travelled mainly by the use of oxen drawn Red River Carts, and ruts cut by the wheels of these large two wheeled carts can still be viewed northeast of Paradise Hill. These ruts are somewhat unique in that in most other areas of the trail, the marks have been long ago hidden by cultivation and regrowth.
The Village of Paradise Hill, a cozy and picturesque village nestled against beautifully treed and gently rolling hills, is situated a short drive east of the Hamlet of Frenchman Butte office on Highway #3. Located at the entrance to Paradise Hill and welcoming all is a twice life-sized ox and cart monument commemorating the famous Carlton Trail. Within the Village of Paradise Hill one will find Our Lady of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church, home to many original paintings by internationally renowned artist Count Berthold von Imhoff. For more information about the Village of Paradise Hill, visit their website at www.paradisehill.ca.
The Town of St. Walburg is approximately another 30 kilometres east of Paradise Hill on Hwy #3 and 3 kilometres north on Highway #26. St. Walburg stepped onto the world stage in 2007 and 2008, winning a number of LivCom awards and achieving international recognition as one of the world's most livable and sustainable communities. The Town also boasts a life-sized bronzed statue of Count Berthold von Imhoff, and his homestead and studio, which houses in excess of 200 of his paintings, are located just south of St. Walburg. The studio was declared a Provincial Heritage Site in 2005. For more information about the Town of St. Walburg, visit their website at www.stwalburg.com.
Within easy driving distance of both Paradise Hill and St. Walburg are the North Saskatchewan River, several resorts and lakes, and the Bronson Provincial Forest, offering summer recreational activities including swimming, fishing, boating, hunting and ATV trail riding. There are also seasonal campsite facilities located in both communities providing hot showers and washrooms.
It is also noteworthy to mention that the Bright Sand Lake Regional Park, while not located within the Rural Municipality of Frenchman Butte, is just a short 27 kilometre drive east of St. Walburg. You can find out more about this beautiful Regional Park by visiting the Saskatchewan Regional Parks website at www.saskregionalparks.ca.