Esterhazy, a charming town nestled in the south-eastern part of Saskatchewan, Canada, is a must-visit destination for history buffs and nature enthusiasts alike. Located 83 kilometres south-east of Yorkton along Highways 22 and 80, Esterhazy is part of the Rural Municipality of Fertile Belt No. 183.
Esterhazy is named after Count Paul Otto d'Esterhazy, an immigrant agent who claimed to be a Hungarian aristocrat of the Esterházy family. Despite the Esterházy family never recognizing his claim, Count Paul Otto d'Esterhazy played a significant role in the town's history. In 1886, he helped settle 35 Hungarian families in the colony of Kaposvar, named after the Hungarian city Kaposvár. This colony was located south of the current location of Esterhazy.
The town of Esterhazy was officially founded in 1905, following the successful settlement of the area by various immigrant groups. The first settlers were English, who founded Sumner Parish in the north in 1882. Later, colonies of Swedes, Czechs, Germans, Welsh, and Jews settled in different parts of the township.
Esterhazy's economic growth was significantly boosted in 1962 when IMC Global (now Mosaic), a mining company, completed the shaft for a potash mine. Today, the two joint mines, K1 and K2, produce more potash than any other mine in the world, earning Esterhazy the title of "Potash capital of the world."
Esterhazy is home to several historic sites, including the Esterhazy Flour Mill, which was designated as a national historic site of Canada on July 8, 2009. It is one of 45 Saskatchewan National Historic Sites. The plaque commemorating the national historic site designation was unveiled on September 3, 2011.
Another notable historic site is the Our Lady of Assumption Roman Catholic Church, also known as Kaposvar Church. Built in 1906-1907, the church was constructed by Brothers of Father Jules Pirot with Hungarian farmers hauling stones from the surrounding area. Today, it houses the Kaposvar Historic Site and Museum and offers tours to visitors.
According to the 2021 Canadian census conducted by Statistics Canada, Esterhazy had a population of 2,345 living in 1,068 of its 1,358 total private dwellings. This represented a change of -6.3% from its 2016 population of 2,502. With a land area of 5.56 km2, Esterhazy had a population density of 421.8/km2 in 2021.
Esterhazy Regional Park, located on the eastern side of Esterhazy along the banks of the Kaposvar Creek, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Founded in 1984, it was the 100th regional park established in Saskatchewan.
The park features a campground with 32 electric campsites, potable water, showers, and washrooms. It also boasts a 9-hole golf course, ball diamonds, cross-country ski trails, and hiking trails. The golf course, with grass greens and a par of 34, spans a total of 2,834 yards.
