The Lister-Kaye Enterprises
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 50° 01.098 W 109° 04.129
12U E 638345 N 5542452
Historical marker at roadside rest on Hwy 1 commemorating the Lister-Kaye Enterprises.
Waymark Code: WM1Z3E
Location: Saskatchewan, Canada
Date Posted: 08/06/2007
Views: 45
The Lister-Kaye Enterprises
In 1884, Sir John Pepys Lister-Kaye, a Yorkshire baronet, arrived in the
northwest from California, bought 7,000 acres of land near Balgonie and started
a farm.
In 1886, Lister-Kaye became interested in the Swift Current area. He
bought ten blocks of land of 10,000 acres each., between Swift Current and
Calgary. Each block was one farm; together, they made up the "76" Ranch.
In 1888, he formed the Canadian Agriculture, Coal and Colonization Company and
received financial backing in England. Under Lister-Kaye's management, the
company became one of the largest agricultural ventures in Canada.
The severe winter of 1890 killed cattle and reduced feed stocks.
Lister-Kaye's unorthodox efforts to cover these losses failed completely.
The financially pressed company reorganized and Lister-Kaye resigned as manager.
the company continued to operate until 1909 but never achieved the level
of prosperity envisioned by Lister-Kaye ~ text of marker
Marker co-located with the "76" Ranch historical marker.