Shaunavon Court House celebrates 100 years of history

Posted on October 13, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

Shaunavon Standard

History came to life on Friday, September 18, as the Shaunavon Court House welcomed community members to celebrate its landmark Centennial anniversary.

The tours were led by town staff Kelly Attrell and Anna Robertson.

The historic site, which has served as Shaunavon’s town office since 1958, hosted an afternoon of public tours, period costumes, and a mock trial to honour its 100-year legacy.

Commissioned under Provincial Architect Maurice W. Sharon, the courthouse was constructed in 1926 by Regina-based builders Smith and Wilson at a cost of $42,500. Built as one of five identical templates in Saskatchewan—alongside sister structures in Wynyard, Gravelbourg, Assiniboia, and Melfort—the two-storey, 38-by-67-foot building remains one of the province’s finest public landmarks.

“I think that when the government invested in building such an impressive Court House it helped cement Shaunavon’s distinction as a centre of progress in the Southwest,” offered Attrell, who is the Collections Manager at the Grand Coteau Centre. “You can tell that people were very proud of it. At the Official Opening banquet there were over 5 hours of speeches praising Shaunavon for its ‘hospitality, pep, progressiveness and vision.'”

Faced with distinct Ruf-Tex brick from Claybank, Saskatchewan, accented by Tyndall stone trimming, a wooden columned entranceway, and copper-covered front doors.

A shingled pitched roof crowned with an ornate cupola and projecting wooden cornices.

“The design elements of the Court House are reflective of the respect held for the judicial system; the Claybank brick, the Tyndall stone trim, the copper doors.,” explained Attrell. “The details all come together making the Court House a prominent landmark in Shaunavon.”

Despite its 1958 municipal conversion, the structure retains its original terrazzo floors, intricate woodwork, and historic fixtures.

The exterior still boasts well-manicured lawns and vibrant flowerbeds bordering 3rd Street East, a legacy of the original 1929 landscaping plan designed by George Watt, Regina’s Provincial Landscape Gardener.

The centennial celebration successfully bridged past and present.

Visitors exploring the interior were treated to building tours, which included rare access to the historic basement holding cells.

Town staff and town council members embraced the spirit of 1926, donning magnificent period costumes for the occasion.

Mayor Cal Vance added a touch of personal flair to the morning, arriving at the front steps in one of his own antique cars while guests enjoyed commemorative cupcakes and coffee.

The afternoon was highlighted by a packed courtroom for a mock trial performance written by town employees Mary Scott and Robertson. Put on with the support of local firm Anderson & Co., the production featured area youth filling the legal roles. The script was loosely based on a real historical incident, peppered with fictional comedic moments and characters inspired by prominent former residents. Protected under a Municipal Heritage Designation since 1984, the Shaunavon Court House proved on Friday that it remains an important Saskatchewan monument.