"The Heart of Good Spirit Country"
As a result of being situated in "The Heart of Good Spirit Country", tourism has become a more important aspect of Canora's development. The town is centrally-located among and minutes away from several rivers, lakes and attractions, including the Whitesand and Assiniboine rivers, Crystal, Good Spirit and Madge lakes, the National Doukhobour Heritage Village and Forts Pelly and Livingstone.
Canora is smack dab in the middle of some of the best fishing and hunting in the province. Snowmobile and ATV enthusiasts are also drawn to the area for its proximity and accessibility to many scenic trails and riding opportunities.
Everyone entering the community from the east or south is greeted by "Lesia", a 25-foot statue dressed in a traditional Ukrainian costume. Located along Norway Road, she displays the traditional Slavic greeting of bread and salt.
Created by Canora residents Nicholas P. Lewchuk and his son, Orest; Lesia was officially unveiled by Governor General Edward Schreyer on September 3, 1980.
Adjacent to Lesia, the welcome statue, is Canora's tourist booth where friendly volunteers can answer all of your questions regarding the community or give you directions to the nearest point of interest.
Canora Station House Museum is located at 100 Railway Avenue and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., July to September.
The facility is the oldest Class 2 railway station still operating in Saskatchewan and displays CN Rail memorabilia, pioneer artifacts, a rural school room, an original long-distance telephone switchboard, a mounted bald eagle, local souvenirs and tourist information.
Churchill tour information is available at the museum and Via Rail service to Winnipeg and Churchill is available three times a week each way.
For more information, contact stn.house.museum@sasktel.net or (306)563-4591.
Ukrainian Heritage Museum is located at 215 Main Street and features a heritage resource centre, Ukrainian encyclopedias, Ukrainian art and folklore and ethnic music scores for various instruments.
Ukrainian Orthodox Heritage Church at 710 Main Street showcases restored Kievan Byzantine architecture, including stained glass.
Originally constructed in 1928 the church served its congregation until 1963. It was designated a heritage site in 1984 and under went a major restoration that was completed in 2000.
Canora has created a self-directed walking tour of six major sites, including the welcome statue, Antique People, Station House Museum, Toy and Autograph Museum, Ukrainian Heritage Museum and Ukrainian Orthodox Heritage Church.
Walking tour brochures are available at the town office and various locations throughout the community.
Located on Pacific Street, just north of Daniels Drive, is a cairn dedicated to Canora's first hospital.
Mary Waddell of Peterborough, Ont., donated $25,000 to the Presbyterian Church for construction of a hospital in her husband's name. In 1913, the Hugh Waddell Memorial Hospital was built on land donated by Christian R. Graham. It was erected by the Presbyterian Home Mission Society, one of two mission hospitals in Saskatchewan.
Admitting patients in March, the hospital was officially opened on June 18, 1914, with 60 beds. It operated as a mission hospital until 1944 when it was purchased by the Canora Union Hospital Board. In 1950, a new wing was added, increasing its capacity to 82 beds.
The hospital closed on July 4, 1968, and a commemorative cairn was erected in 2000.
Located at 118 Main Street, Canada's Only Toy and Autograph Museum features a one-of-a-kind collection of toys and autographed photos.
The building was constructed in 1902 by the Winnipeg Western Land Corporation for Christian Rhodes Graham Jr. of Des Moines, Iowa. Graham was half owner of the town site, with the railway owning the other half.
Canora grew from this site, which is marked by a plaque.
The campgrounds, located at the north end of Nelson Street, feature nine electric and two non-electric sites with provisions for obtaining potable water and a sewer dump.
The on-site Sports Service Centre contains washrooms and showers for campers which are cleaned daily. The service centre also contains an abundance of information about the attractions and recreational opportunities in Canora and surrounding district.
Canora is located on the provincial snowmobile trail and is one of the urban municipalities in Saskatchewan that allows snowmobiles to be driven in town.
Please contact the town office for more information and regulations regarding the operation of snowmobiles in town.
Copyright © 2004 [Town of Canora] All rights reserved.