New Shaunavon exhibit examines community’s railway ties

Posted on September 8, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

Shaunavon Standard

A new exhibit at the Grand Coteau Centre traces the foundational roots of Shaunavon and offers some insight into the railway history that help build the community.

Timed to accompany the upcoming Fly-Ride-Drive event on September 19, the display highlights the impact of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) had on the Southwest.

The exhibit is the result of a connection between the museum and a dedicated researcher. Over 20 years ago, a researcher named Mr. Black contacted the museum for assistance with his CPR research. In 2019, he returned to Shaunavon to donate the culmination of his work which included six large binders of localized research and a rare map of Canada showcasing the historical CPR lines.

“I put this exhibit together to accompany the Fly Ride Drive event on Sept

19 and to recognize the main reason that Shaunavon exists; the Canadian Pacific Railway,” explained Kelly Attrell, Collections Manager at the Grand Coteau Centre who curated the show. “It is a great, comprehensive history of the CPR and its impact on the development of Canada.”

The six donated binders offer a look into local history. One volume features transcribed interviews with former CPR employees and Southwest Saskatchewan residents, while another compiles historic CPR-related articles from The Shaunavon Standard.

A third binder holds dozens of book reviews detailing the intersection of the railway and Saskatchewan’s broader history.

In addition to the binders and the centerpiece map, the exhibition features several physical artifacts and local artwork.

Visitors can view three distinct paintings of the historic Shaunavon train station, a collection of vintage railway signal lanterns, a secondary CPR route map dating back to 1957, and various historical photographs.

The exhibit is currently open to the public at the Grand Coteau Centre.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to stop by and explore the region’s railway roots. The show will be taken down following the Sept.

19 celebration.