Turtleford was first settled in 1907 and 1908. It took its name from its closeness to an early river crossing, or ford, on the Turtlelake River. A post office opened in 1913, and by 1914 the Canadian Northern Railway's branch line extending from North Battleford had reached the community.
Growth came quickly once the rail line arrived. By 1915 dozens of businesses had opened, and Turtleford had become a major centre for the people living in the surrounding area.
The North Battleford–Turtleford branch mainly served the grain elevators used by farmers northwest of North Battleford. It later became part of Canadian National Railway and ran past Hamlin, Prince, Meota, Cavalier, Vawn, Edam and Mervin, with extensions farther northwest to Cleeves, Spruce Lake and St. Walburg, and a fork to Paradise Hill and Frenchman Butte. The line ceased operation by 2005, when the remaining elevators closed.
Today, Turtleford is home to Ernie the Turtle, Canada's largest turtle statue at more than eight feet tall, which stands on Highway 26 near the south edge of town.
Written from Wikipedia’s article “Turtleford” (CC BY-SA 4.0), and shared under the same licence.