[2] Seventy years earlier, Fort San was opened as a sanatorium in 1917 during a time when tuberculosis infections were increasing.

It was a self-sufficient institution with vegetable gardens, livestock, a power house, and an extensive library for patients provided by World War I veterans.

After tuberculosis became less of a threat in the early 1960s, the sanatorium building's purpose was changed to house the Saskatchewan Summer School of the Arts in 1967.

For thirty years, thousands of young people received summer tuition in dance, music, visual art, writing, and theatre.

[9] On September 30, 2004 a decision was made by the Saskatchewan Property Management Corporation to shut down the Centre and offer it for sale.

[13] The Resort Village of Fort San is governed by an elected municipal council and an appointed administrator that meets on the third Tuesday of every month.