OUR HISTORY

Abbey is a friendly village in south west Saskatchewan, bordered by the Great Sandhills to the west and the South Saskatchewan River to the north. The community is situated in a rural location approximately 100 km northwest of Swift Current on Highway #32.  The primary industries of Abbey are agriculture, gas and tourism.  There are currently approximately 130 people living in the village and 370 in the surrounding rural municipality.   Abbey was incorporated as a Village in 1913 during the same year that the railway was built through town.  The CPR purchased the land for the townsite from D.F. Kennedy and was named after the Kennedy farm in Ireland. 

In 1913 new businesses opened in Abbey, including the hotel, post office, bank and first elevator. By 1915 a school building (presently used as Legion Hall) was built and in 1918 a church was erected.  Growth in the town continued and at its peak had grocery stores, machinery dealerships, restaurants, lumberyards, garages, six elevators, a barbershop and pool hall to name a few.  In both 1919 and 1921 the Village survived fires but as a result lost the livery barn and many of the businesses.  Abbey has one municipal heritage property, the Abbey Fire Hall which was constructed in 1919 in response to a large fire that threatened the community.   The station remained in service until a new fire station was constructed in 1975; however the siren in the station tower is still used to signal noon hour and emergencies in the town. 

Today Abbey has a short line ag business, insurance agent, service station, hotel/bar, post office, United church, curling rink, skating rink, fire station, grain elevator and Legion hall.  After the closure of the school in 2012, the building was transformed into a community centre with many amenities including a gym/hall, library, thrift store, snooker and games room, fitness centre, youth room, massage therapist/salon and meeting and coffee rooms. 

Residents of the community pride themselves on being friendly and welcoming.  There is always something to do in this community.  The Sandhills Rodeo is held every June at the beautiful Sandhills Rodeo Grounds a few miles west of town.  The community also hosts comedian nights, dances, fall suppers, craft fairs, various learn-to classes and so much more. 

The Village owns a 9 hole sand green golf course as well as ball diamonds on the outskirts of town. In the fall the area is alive with geese, ducks, deer and moose for the hunting enthusiasts. In the winter months, the curling rink is a hub of activity with Men’s, Women's, and Mixed Leagues on the three sheets of artificial ice that is second to none.  For those that enjoy skating, there is an artificial ice skating rink that is open from November to March. 

The Royal Canadian Legion has a very active branch in the community with over 90 members.  Every year, they conduct a memorable Remembrance Day service and sponsor many events and organizations in town including the 4-H.  Their annual consignment auction is held every June in conjunction with Ritchie Bros Auctioneers.   

This community has seen many changes over the years but several things remain constant and that is our pride, perseverance and sense of community.  What makes this place great is the people and their hard work to keep this a wonderful, safe place to live, work and play.