Progressive Prince Albert

The early 1900s were an exciting time to be in Prince Albert. The city's population was growing rapidly, and construction workers did a bustling business. Notable landmarks such as Prince Albert Collegiate Institute and St. Paul's Presbyterian Church were built in the boom years before 1914.

The Railway Bridge was also built during this prosperous era. Because steamboats were still in use along the river, the bridge was constructed with a middle span that swung open to accommodate the height of their smokestacks.The bridge wasn't the only new development on the river.

In 1906, a steam powered dredge employing 10 men searched for gold where the Shell and North Saskatchewan Rivers meet. The 100-foot-long dredge was costly to operate, and revealed little gold. It was retired in 1909.