Meota is on the south-western shore of Jackfish Lake and is accessed from Highway 26. Meota Regional Park is adjacent to the community.[7]
History
A post office named Meota was established in 1894, but it was located where the present-day community of Metinota is,[8] leading to some confusion over the origins of the current village of Meota. The first post office in present-day Meota was established in 1910, although it was initially called Beachview.[8]
Joseph A. Dart, an early merchant, had previously established a store in a tent near current-day Meota, and in 1910, he moved to the Meota townsite where his store operated in a building on Main Street.[5] The Canadian Northern Railway opened its line through Meota in 1910–1911.[5][8] Meota incorporated as a village on July 6, 1911.[9] In 1912 the first grain elevator was constructed, and then a dance pavilion opened in 1921.[8] Other industries included brick manufacturing, a flour mill, and commercial fishing ("Meota Whites").[8] A series of fires has since decimated the village's business district, and the advent of the automobile caused many local residents to drive to North Battleford for shopping.[citation needed]
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Meota had a population of 325 living in 156 of its 213 total private dwellings, a change of 6.9% from its 2016 population of 304. With a land area of 1.61 km2 (0.62 sq mi), it had a population density of 201.9/km2 (522.8/sq mi) in 2021.[12]
In the 2016 Census of Population, the Village of Meota recorded a population of 304 living in 148 of its 208 total private dwellings, a -1% change from its 2011 population of 307. With a land area of 1.55 km2 (0.60 sq mi), it had a population density of 196.1/km2 (508.0/sq mi) in 2016.[13]
Meota Regional Park
Meota Regional Park (53°02′16″N108°27′03″W / 53.0379°N 108.4507°W / 53.0379; -108.4507)[14] is a regional park in the village of Meota on the shore of Jackfish Lake. The park has a campground, lake access with a sandy beach, boat launch, ball diamonds, swimming pool, and a tennis court. The 9-hole Meota & District Lakeside Golf Course is adjacent to the park.[15] The campground has 100 campsites, washrooms, showers, and laundry.[16][17]
^ abcRussell, Edmund T. (1973), What's In a Name: The Story Behind Saskatchewan Place Names (3rd edition), Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: Western Producer Prairie Books, p. 200, ISBN0-88833-053-7