Burstall

Town, pop 388, located SW of Leader, just inside the Saskatchewan-Alberta border, on Hwy 321. In the first half of the 20th century, Burstall, like many other Saskatchewan communities that sprang up along rail lines, was an agricultural centre. Its population remained fairly stable at around 200. However, since construction of the TransCanada Pipeline began near Burstall in 1956, the natural gas industry has been a dominant area employer. By 1963, both the new industry and Burstall’s population were booming. Today, Burstall is a modern town with a diverse business community and extensive recreational opportunities. In autumn, the area is popular with hunters. In 1976, a notable event took place near Burstall: a few kilometres east of the town, excavation work for the laying of a pipeline unearthed evidence of a prehistoric human settlement. The subsequent archaeological dig revealed evidence of a culture dating back roughly 5,000 years.

David McLennan