The site of Lloydminste
r was originally decided by Isaac M. Barr, and called the Barr Settlement. It was on the present day Saskatchewan, Alberta border. George Lloyd led the expedition to start the colony.
Both men had visions of a good, solid English settlement rather than the many settlements being created by other European countries, mainly German and Ukrainian. Unfortunately the settlement was doomed for failure. Unlike the European immigration who were farmers escaping for religious and political reasons, the English farmers were content and not about to leave their homes in pursuit of the harsh Canadian west. So, consequently most the settlers were from the streets of London, people escaping poverty. There weren’t many farmers. It is said that most had to be taught how to harness a horse and had little idea of what farming involved.
The unrest in the area culminated into the Frog Lake Massacre, where eight people were killed. The Frog Lake Massacre was headed by Big Bear and Wandering Spirit and part of the 1885 Riel Rebellion. Most settlers sold their lands and moved elsewhere.
In my story Paradise on the Horizon, I have my hero and heroine go to the Barr Settlement to escape their pasts – a Russian princess and soldier. 
Mary M. Forbes - Author 