This new year we took a look into history to find out what it was like in Moose Jaw one century ago.

New years in 1919 was quite different than in 2019, we visited the local archives to find out more.

If you were in Moose Jaw in 1919 you were likely going to a new year's party at the Emperess Hotel enjoying a non-alcoholic dance, or perhaps going for a Turkey Dinner at the Savoy Cafe.

You might also be taking advantage of local 'end of the year sales' events at many stores in town.

We spoke to an archivist at the Moose Jaw Public Library about the importance of keeping the local archives alive and well.

Katrina Howick is a Library Technician who also works with the archives.

"Because they are the only source of preserving that heritage of Moose Jaw. Without keeping the papers and archives that time period, and all of the important events, people, births, deaths, and information is lost."

One thing everyone was sure to be doing was reading the local newspaper, and in it was not only local news but also national and international news.

What was in the news 100 years ago? One look at a newspaper from December 31st, 1919, tells us that Moose Jaw, Canada, and much of the world was still recovering from World War 1.

Just a few headlines from the front page were: "Big Seizure of Wood Alcohol From U.S.", "Montreal Engineers To Strike", and "Nova Scotia Enjoys A Very Prosperous Year".

All of this from the MOOSE JAW DAILY NEWS.

Howick explained just how far back in Moose Jaws history the archives actually go.

"So for the newspapers, it goes back to the 1890s, which is the beginning of the newspapers, but we do have books and other resources that go back further beyond that. Half of the archives are newspapers and a good quarter of it are books written by local authors, and a good chunk of them are books written on local history."

Howick added that all the archives are carefully preserved with humidity and temperature control, as well as minimal physical handling of all the newspapers.