Yorkton's first builder was Thomas Ruttle, followed by J. Morgan, a Mr. Widdicombe, and a Mr. Cochrane.
In 1905 John Christie built the city hall, which was located on property now occupied by the Painted Hand Casino. Mr. Christie, a carpenter associated with Yorkton since 1890, also operated an undertaking establishment, making the coffins in his workshop.
Working with him were James Logan, William Black. O.B. Smith and Dave Young.
Shortly after in 1905 Mr. Logan and Mr. Black went into partnership in the construction business under the name Logan Black. After the deaths of Mr. Black and Mr. Logan, the business continued under the name of Logan Black under the direction of Don Logan.
Later the business became known as Logan Stevens and is now operated by William Mark and Randy Holfeld.
Stone masons and bricklayers were essential to the building trade and to the growth of the community in those early years.
Brickyards were among the early businesses opened in Yorkton, with the Doukhobours operating a brick yard in the northeast area of the city, and Ferdinand Reusch running a brickyard where the former C. J. Houston School now stands on Gladstone Avenue.
Jack Hargrave built the grist mill at York Colony. Other builders in those early years were Mr. Neilson, W. Erickson, William Kilburn (the first overseer in Yorkton), Thomas Patterson, Jack Tout, and Charlie Ellis (whose son Harry followed in his footsteps).
Later came E. Vance, George Ribchester, and Hughie McKenzie, known for his prowess on the bagpipes.
Many of the people not only served the community by providing necessary services for construction of buildings in the community, but also served on council and other organizations.
About our cenotaphs
It was during this week, the last week of May, back in 1930 and 1949 that memorials were erected to honour Yorkton's war veterans.
At the end of World War One in 1918, a massive peace arch was erected at the corner of Third Avenue and Broadway to honor the men returning from the war that was supposed to have ended all wars. The arch literally spanned the street, was decorated with garland, and was a grand gesture in honour of the war veterans.
In 1920 a temporary cenotaph was erected in front of the City Hall (the old City Hall located on the east side of Third Avenue at the corner of Third and Smith).
Remembrance services were held at this site each year until the new cenotaph was erected at Second Avenue and Darlington. The new cenotaph was officially dedicated on May 25, 1930.
A war memorial was erected in the soldiers' plot in the City Cemetery by the General Alexander Ross Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion and was dedicated on May 28, 1949.