History

​

By the end of the 19th century, many farmers were homesteading between Tiefengrund and Rosthern.

 

With the area being recognized for ideal grain growing, the Canadian Northern Railway acquired approximately 40 miles of land and right-ofways between Dalmeny and a point near the old trading post of Carlton. Surveying for several townsites along the planned rail road, one of the townsites was surveyed at mile 28. The land was purchased from David Heppner, one of the first homesteaders in the area, and Mile 28 was given the name “Laird” after the Honourable David Laird.

 

David Laird was First Resident Lieutenant Governor of the North West Territories and resided in Battleford, which was the Capitol of the NWT then.

 

In anticipation of the completed rail line, the townsite of Laird experienced a building and population boom. With grain elevators, multiple retail businesses, 2 churches, and a school, in addition to more homes being built, 1910 was a very busy year!

 

On May 4th, 1911 the townsite of Laird was officially incorporated as a Village and continued to attract new residents, new businesses, a 3rd grain elevator, and the Laird Rural Telephone Company. Near the end of 1911 the first election was held to elect a Village Council for 1912.

 

Enduring through WW1 and WW2, the Great Depression, fluctuating grain and stock prices, economic boom and busts, the decommissioning of the rail road and grain elevators, Laird has stood the test of time while many other small communities perished.

 

Laird is an amicable Village with over 100 years of sustainable growth. Always warm and welcoming, this community has history of working alongside one another and our residents stay true to the slogan “The Community That Pulls Together”.