History Page - Hamlet of Bankend, Sask Sk

In 1927 the railway was built as far as highway 35 and in 1928 it was built into Wishart. Wednesday and Saturday were the big days when all the farmers came into town to pick up their mail and groceries.

In 1928 four elevators were built. The Pool operated by Duncan McPhail; the U.G.G. operated by Elia Forester; the Patterson operated by F. Ariderson; the Bawlf operated by Charlie Chasney. The Bawlf elevator was sold to the Federal Grain Co. and then the Pool. In 1947 the U.G.G. and the Pool burned down. The Pool was rebuilt. The Patterson elevator was sold and taken apart. The Pool bought the Federal elevator and both are now operated by Bill Maxemnuik.

Waldy Thorwalson had the first store. Lumber was bought at Elfros and delivered by two wagons and horses. This store was sold to McLarty and then to John and Bill Chrunik. Later it was moved to Kelliher and is now used as a garage.

Gus Lindall and son Arnie operated a grocery store. The store was closed and for many years used as a dwelling.

Mike Bazuik owned a general store in 1933. This store was sold to Ed Bygora, later to Peter Kirk and Albert Kirk. The Co-op bulk was operated from there. The store was sold to Joe Sorochan and later it was demolished.

Henry Roney bought John Chernecki’s property and renovated it into a general store which was later sold to George Lazorko who operated it for many years, This building was demolished in 1978.

John Chonko sold his little store to Metro Kitzul. Later a garage was built on this site operated by Metro Kitzul, John Kuyek and Joe Sorochan. This garage was sold to the Co-op and was first run by James Ewanski. Before that James operated a Co-op bulk station from two bins. He also had a barber shop in the same building.

Clayton McDougal operated the first garage. It was later turned into a shoemaker shop operated by Mike Krawiak. Later it was demolished.

Melly Campbell and his wife Emma operated a candling station and later her sister Edna Sabiston (Beckett) took it over.

Henry Wiebe operated a garage which was sold to Bill Chrunik and Mike Chrunik. The garage and house still stand on Main Street unoccupied.

Joe Karakochuk built a garage around 1958 and sold it in 1974 to Albin Grodecki who still operates it today.

Joe Thorfason owned a poolroom across from the school. John Hajewich also owned a poolroom and barber shop situated on Main Street next to the hotel. It was sold to James Ewanski, later to Andy Chrunik and now Walter Ben owns it.

The Pioneer Cafe was run by Wong Wee. It changed hands many times; Nick Fedusiak, Andy Stoski, Joe Stoski and Ted Ridell. It was demolished in 1974.

Libby’s cafe was built in 1949 and operated by Peter and Libby Shewchuk. In 1974 the cafe was bought by Albert and Albena Bartoshewski and the name changed to A & A Delicatessen.

The hotel was built by Alvin Halvarson in 1947. It was operated by Peter Kuyek and John Leschuk. In 1950 it was sold to Walter Ben and Andy Chrunik. Andy later sold his share of the business to Walter. Walter and Ann celebrated their 30 years in business in January, 1980.

The locker plant is the old Zhoda Co-op Store which was moved from Wishart and operated by Andy and Ann Karakochuk from 1953 to 1973 when it was sold to Alex Stoski.

Herb Stoneburg owned the first blacksmith shop which he operated until it closed and later was demolished. Another blacksmith shop was owned by Stanley Malinowski and later taken over by his son and called Leon’s Manufacturing Co. Around 1968 Leon moved to Yorkton and the shop was sold to Joe Dmitzyk and has had a number of different owners since.

The first school was built by Bob and Jack Russel in 1906 and was situated one mile north of Bankend. It was later sold for a hall and was moved one mile east of Bankend on Metro Kitzul’s land.

The new school was built in 1930 by Mr. Littlewood and Herman and Dick Collingwood. The first two teachers were John Chonko and Yarslow Maschuk.