1725 - Artesian Spring/Well Existence

“Historical records detail a large artesian well on the northeast corner of the lake used for fresh drinking water by Nakoda tribes and the Algonquin Cree who travelled the region as early as 1725.”

Excerpt taken from the Crystal Springs history book

The land around the artesian spring, including the burial site on the hill, was purchased from Donovan Dowler and subsequently sold to the Government of Canada for eventual preservation of a historic site in 1997. The site is known now as The Benjamin and Margaret Sinclair Historic Site.

Information gathered from the historical book “A Useful Living Memorial - A Brief History of the Rundle’s Mission Society (1957-2007) by Henriette Kelker

Along the northwest shore of Pigeon Lake is a trail that was traveled by Indigenous people for centuries. An artesian well along the trail offered fresh drinking water. The blue icon indicates the approximate location of the spring in relation to Rundle’s Mission.