Harris, Saskatchewan - Where a Brothel Thrived

Big White at the Once Was Brothel

The first and only people we meet outdoors in the small village of Harris, 81 km south-west of Saskatoon, is a middle-aged man working in his large yard and his daughter. He declares that he got the house and vacant property beside it for a fair price, likely, he boasts, because at one time it was a brothel. Its proximity to the hotel is a giveaway he says.

Aside from that interesting bit of history, the town is well maintained, has a bountiful museum and displays its past on brass plaques stationed along many of the avenues and streets.

Autographs and Comments Welcome

We begin our self-guided tour by signing our names on the fence on Railroad Street and notice immediately that the hotel beside it is operating a lounge and possibly some rooms to rent.

Harris Hotel

Deeper into the community, there are several homes that are well looked after and others that are not. Further down this foot route, we find the Mason Temple & Evergreen Tree hidden behind some large bushes. This property is a municipal heritage possession these days and sadly has been attacked by some who use graffiti to identify themselves.

Mason Temple & Evergreen Tree

On Main Street, there are two churches sitting kitty-corner to one another. Both are boarded up, unused.

Two churches in Harris, SK

Further down sits the New Horizons Centre with the words Orange Temple imprinted on the concrete walk leading to the building. We believe this building to be the senior centre. The Orange Order was born in the charged sectarian climate of northern Ireland in the late 1700s to defend the interests of Protestant settlers against the native Irish Catholics. (source http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/orange_order.html

New Horizons Centre, Harris, SK

We end our stroll back at the bus and board her ready for the next exploration of another fabulous town in Saskatchewan. Less than 6 km south of Harris is a rest stop on the right-hand side of the road. These much needed soft places to land for an avid traveller are far and few between in this province.