Shellbrook | The Canadian Encyclopedia

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Shellbrook

Shellbrook is located near the northern edge of agricultural settlement in Saskatchewan. Its first homesteaders did not arrive until the late 19th century. Much of the land was covered by jack pine which had to be cleared before crops could be planted.

Shellbrook

 Shellbrook, Sask, incorporated as a town in 1948, population 1433 (2011c), 1230 (2006c). The Town of Shellbrook is located 44 km west of PRINCE ALBERT. The town is named for Shell Brook, a small stream that flows into the Shell River northeast of town.

Shellbrook is located near the northern edge of agricultural settlement in Saskatchewan. Its first homesteaders did not arrive until the late 19th century. Much of the land was covered by jack pine which had to be cleared before crops could be planted. However, the trees provided an early cash crop, as many early settlers rafted prime logs down to Prince Albert, where they were made into railway ties. The first buildings in the town site were erected in 1909 and in 1910 a branch line of the CANADIAN NORTHERN RAILWAY reached Shellbrook from Prince Albert. With the arrival of the railway Shellbrook became a service centre for the surrounding farm district - a role it continues to play. Shellbrook was the birthplace of the writer James ROSS.