Battleford is a town located just across the river from North Battleford, Saskatchewan. Founded in 1875 as a fur trading post and NWMP (Northwest Mounted Police, now Royal Canadian Mounted Police) it is the oldest community in Saskatchewan. Between 1876 and 1883, Battleford was the territorial capital of the Northwest Territories (now Alberta, Saskatchewan, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories) and the NWMP fort [1](Fort Battleford ) located there played an important role in the 1885 Northwest Rebellion.

Government House, the seat of government of the NWT from 1876-1883, burned down on July 7, 2003.

Battleford and North Battleford are collectively referred to as The Battlefords by Saskatchewan residents.