In the heart of Saskatchewan’s rolling prairie, a remote and now-quiet site once buzzed with signals intelligence and military purpose. Canadian Forces Station Dana (CFS Dana), established during the Cold War, played a critical role in Canada’s national defense and its collaboration with allied intelligence efforts. Though now decommissioned, the station's legacy endures in the memories of those who served and in its quiet contribution to global security.
What Was CFS Dana?
CFS Dana was also known as Sagehill and opened in 1962 as part of the Pinetree Line of NORAD radar stations. The station was part of 45 Radar Squadron. There were three Pinetree Line stations in Saskatchewan: CFS Dana, CFS Yorkton, and CFS Alsask (RCAF Alsask).
Dana was a full base with radar towers, barracks, married quarters (trailers), a chapel, a school, a bowling alley, a gym, a pool, a power plant that heated all the buildings, a water treatment facility, a small jail, and more. It was a self-sufficient base where many people called home. The entrance to the base was guarded as well as the entrance to the towers.
Closure and Legacy
Like many Cold War installations, CFS Dana became obsolete as technology advanced. The station was officially closed in 1987, part of a broader military consolidation and modernization effort. Buildings were dismantled or repurposed, and nature has gradually reclaimed much of the site. Today, only one radar tower stands, and it no longer has the dome. Many of the original buildings remain, but most are in a decayed state as the property has been privately owned for decades.
After it closed, it was used by the nearby communities, but eventually was sold to a private owner. It was taken over by a buffalo farmer who did not want people visiting the base. We are told he was not kind to requests to see the buildings.
We drove by many times until one day in 2008, the gate was open. We drove down the long drive towards the house and knocked on the door. A woman had answered, and we talked to her about how we document historic places around Saskatchewan. We made it clear that we knew the history of the site and only wanted to take images of the site. She agreed to let us see it, but was surprised by how thorough we were. We found out later that her husband, the man who had turned everyone away, had passed away recently which is likely why we got permission. Ownership changed again, and from what we can tell, we are still one of the few people who have visited the entire site.
Remembering CFS Dana
Although time is erasing the physical presence of the station, reunions and online forums help keep the spirit of Dana alive. Former service members share stories, photos, and memories, ensuring that this quiet yet vital chapter of Canadian history isn’t forgotten.
CFS Dana may no longer appear on maps, but it left a mark on its people, on its prairie surroundings, and on the silent network of intelligence that helped shape modern geopolitics.
The photographs below are from our documentation of the entire CFS Dana site in 2008, with permission. Photos are in no particular order.
A video slideshow can be seen at the bottom of this page.
A video slideshow of our exploration of CFS Dana - check it out!