Advertisement

Saskatoon’s Marr Residence recognized as national historic site

Click to play video: 'Saskatoon’s Marr Residence recognized as national historic site'
Saskatoon’s Marr Residence recognized as national historic site
WATCH ABOVE: On Sunday, the Marr Residence in the Nutana district received its national historic site plaque – Jul 2, 2017

Among the homes on 11th Street East in Saskatoon, a one-and-a-half storey, green-and-white, wood-framed house has stood the test of time.

The Marr Residence is the oldest house in Saskatoon to still be in its original location.

On Sunday, the Marr Residence received its national historic site plaque, although the site officially received the national designation one year ago.

READ MORE: 10 quirky Canadian places to visit for Canada’s 150th birthday

The house was built in 1884.

Alexander “Sandy” Marr and his wife, Margaret, acquired land from the Temperance Colonization Society, an Anglo-Canadian utopian group.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“During the Northwest Resistance in 1885, it was one of three houses that were commandeered to be used as field hospitals for the Battle of Batoche,” Jeff O’Brien, the City of Saskatoon’s archivist, said.

Story continues below advertisement

“It was chosen because of its proximity to the river and the ease of getting wounded from the Northcote, which brought wounded down from Duck Lake and Fish Creek to Saskatoon,” Della Greer, the Marr Residence board chair, said.

As it served as a field hospital, the Marr Residence would be the first place in Canadian history where nurses would be employed by military forces.

“It has an immense role to play in the story of heritage preservation in Saskatoon. The idea that built heritage, the buildings that are around us, are things we need to hold on to,” O’Brien said.

Marr descendants attended Sunday’s plaque unveiling, including Alexander and Margaret Marr’s great-great grandson, Jason Everitt.

“It’s a sense of pride. In not only what the family was able to accomplish, but what settlers themselves were able to accomplish,” Everitt said.

READ MORE: Anne of Green Gables: 7 facts about L.M. Montgomery and her iconic character

“The Marr Residence has always been recognized as being important to the story of Saskatoon. Now, as of today, it’s being recognized as nationally significant to the story of Canada,” Scott Whiting, the external relations manager for Parks Canada, said.

Organizers estimate the Marr Residence joins around six other national historic sites in Saskatoon.

Advertisement

Sponsored content

AdChoices