Cudworth, Saskatchewan is a quaint town nestled in the heart of Canada. This small town, located approximately 85 km north-east of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, is situated in the picturesque Minnichinas Hills. The area is part of the aspen parkland biome, offering a hilly, partially forested landscape east of the South Saskatchewan River.
As of the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Cudworth had a population of 772 living in 331 of its 364 total private dwellings. This represented a change of -5.2% from its 2016 population of 814. With a land area of 2.12 km2 (0.82 sq mi), it had a population density of 364.2/km2 (943.1/sq mi) in 2021. The town is surrounded by a large agricultural community and serves as a hub for 60 local businesses, a public K-12 school, and 3 churches.
The first pioneers settled the area west of modern-day Cudworth in the late 19th century. German settlers arrived in 1903 and settled in nearby Leofeld, Saskatchewan. Established in 1911, the village was named after English philosopher Ralph Cudworth. The town was originally peopled primarily by settlers of Eastern European origin including Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Ukraine. Present day Cudworth continues to consist mainly of families with Ukrainian and German origins.
In September 2008, Cudworth's grain elevator, one of the three original Saskatchewan Wheat Pool elevators, went up in flames. This marked a significant event in the town's history as it was one of the few Saskatchewan towns that still had a Canadian National Railway (CN) train station.
Two miles west of Cudworth lies the historic Our Lady of Sorrows Shrine. The site consists of an altar, chapel, statue, and Stations of the Cross on a hill west of Highway 2. The shrine was established after three children reported seeing a beautiful sad lady dragging chains and carrying a golden cross – when they approached her, she vanished. An annual pilgrimage on the tenth Sunday after Easter is held at the site, which is an official pilgrimage of the Saskatoon Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy.
The Cudworth Heritage Museum, formerly the CN Station (c. 1925), is a Municipal Heritage Property on the Canadian Register of Historic Places. This museum offers a glimpse into the town's rich history and heritage.
The municipality operates the Cudworth Municipal Airport, providing convenient transportation for residents and visitors alike. This small town's charm, coupled with its rich history and rural setting, makes Cudworth, Saskatchewan a must-visit destination for those seeking a unique Canadian experience.
