The year was 1911 and the Selkirk Board of Trade assembled at the Merchant’s Hotel for their ninth annual meeting. Charles Roland, the commissioner of the Winnipeg Industrial Bureau gave the most stirring speech of the evening. He said, “In order to obtain the results looked for, the helping hand must be extended by the…
Introducing: Emma Shaw Colcleugh Emma Shaw Colcleugh was born on September 3, 1846, in Thompson, Connecticut. She was the second child of George W. and Abbey Shaw. Emma started her career as a schoolteacher in country schools in 1862. From Educator to Traveller to Selkirk Resident In 1881, at 35, Emma acted on her dreams…
By 1884, Selkirk, Manitoba had turned from a map dot into a booming little town on the banks of the Red River. New businesses began popping up all over, like the Manitoba Asylum (now known as the Selkirk Mental Health Centre) which was headed by Dr. David Young, the first Merchant’s Hotel built by John Christian Schultz. In…
Have you ever wondered who the streets in Selkirk are named after? Well, wonder no more! Take yourself on a tour using our virtual Streets of Selkirk tour and learn all about the famous (and infamous) namesakes of Selkirk’s streets. Follow the map for a stroll down Eveline Street and learn about namesakes like Alexander…
In 1882, James Colcleugh was the man of the hour. After the Town of Selkirk became a recognized town under the provincial Municipal Act, he served as Selkirk’s first mayor and is often thought of as the founder of Selkirk. Originally, Colcleugh was a contractor working on a telegraph line between Rat Portage and Manitoba.…
The Pool’s Beginning The Rotary Club of Selkirk has been a driving force in the community since it received its charter in 1937. Its best-known contribution is the Selkirk Park Pool (Rotary Lake) in Selkirk Park. When the club did a door-to-door canvas to raise funds for Memorial Hall in 1946, they also asked residents…
During the Second World War, men and women from across the globe enlisted in the military together to fight for their countries. At the time, it was common to see friends and family members from the same neighbourhood enlist together. A group of enlistees from Selkirk, Manitoba were a little bit different. Dubbed ‘The Dufferin…
What’s new with the Selkirk Museum? Click and discover the city’s storied past When the city launched the virtual wing of the Selkirk Museum in 2018 it was with the knowledge that it was an incomplete site at that time and due to the fact that history is constantly being made, it always would be.…
Pin bowling has a long history in the City of Selkirk. The earliest mention found in Selkirk’s online newspaper archives is from 1913; an ad stating that a bowling alley and billiards hall was opened in the Lisgar House hotel by Messrs. Terry and Comber. In October 1929, ads appeared for a new ten-pin bowling…
213 Dorchester Avenue A variety of early house designs can be seen in one block on this street. Compare the large square plan house at 213 with the fine examples of bungalows at 210, 211, 212 and the smaller houses on the north side. 213 Dorchester was constructed in 1915 for a successful local butcher…
