Dillon is an unincorporated community in the boreal forest of northern Saskatchewan, Canada. It is located on the western shore of Peter Pond Lake at the mouth of the Dillon River.[4] The community is the administrative headquarters of the Buffalo River Dene Nation and is accessed by Highway 925 from Highway 155.

Dillon
Flag of Dillon
Dillon is located in Saskatchewan
Dillon
Dillon
Location of Dillon in Saskatchewan
Coordinates: 55°55′43″N 108°56′14″W / 55.92861°N 108.93722°W / 55.92861; -108.93722
CountryCanada
ProvinceSaskatchewan
Government
 • ChiefNorma Catarat
 • MLA AthabascaBuckley Belanger
 • MP Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill RiverGary Vidal
Area
 • Total
86.32 km2 (33.33 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total
764
 • Metro density8.9/km2 (23/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central Standard Time)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5
Postal code
S0M 0S0
HighwaysHwy 925
[2][3]

History

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John Franklin's Coppermine Expedition map of 1819–1822 showing the fur trade route from Île-à-la-Crosse to Methye Portage

The North West Company had a post near Dillon in 1790. It was called Lac des Boeufs Post (Buffalo Lake Post).[5] The Hudson's Bay Company had a post nearby in 1791.

In 1819–1820 Sir John Franklin noted the position of the North West Company Post on Buffalo Lake (Peter Pond Lake) where Buffalo River (Dillon River) is located. (see map)

The first post office opened under the name of Buffalo River in 1926 and closed in 1929. In 1954 the post office was re-opened under the name of Dillon.[6]

Name changes

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In 1932 the name of the community was officially changed from Buffalo River to Dillon, the name of the river was changed from Buffalo River to Dillon River and Buffalo Lake was renamed Peter Pond Lake.[7] A lake on the Dillon River just west of Vermette Lake also received its official name of Dillon Lake in 1932.[7]

The source of the Dillon River is in Alberta east of Lake Winefred near co-ordinates 55°30′00″N 110°15′32″W / 55.50°N 110.259°W / 55.50; -110.259.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "2011 Community Profiles". Statistics Canada. Government of Canada. Archived from the original on December 26, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
  2. ^ Government of Saskatchewan, MRD Home. "Municipal Directory System". Archived from the original on January 15, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2009.
  3. ^ Commissioner of Canada Elections, Chief Electoral Officer of Canada (2005). "Elections Canada On-line". Archived from the original on April 21, 2007. Retrieved September 6, 2009.
  4. ^ "Natural Resources Canada-Canadian Geographical Names (Dillon River)". Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  5. ^ "ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SASKATCHEWAN (list of forts in Northern Saskatchewan)". Retrieved October 12, 2012.
  6. ^ "Library and Archives Canada (Post Offices and Postmasters)". Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved October 12, 2012.
  7. ^ a b c "Geographical Names Query". Archived from the original on April 6, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2013.