Have you ever wondered where that name came from? Or who that building is named after? In Selkirk, there are several names honouring important figures in Selkirk to discover— many of which can be found by strolling the Streets of Selkirk on their own. But, lots of history lies within the buildings and properties themselves.
Schools: Ruth Hooker, Robert Smith, Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary and Daerwood
Ruth Hooker School, 430 Morris Ave., Ruth Caroline Moody Hooker
Ruth Caroline Moody Hooker was a respected Selkirk community leader and school board chair whose name lives on through Ruth Hooker School. Born in Selkirk around 1900, she died there in 1957 and is remembered in local heritage records for her civic contributions.
Robert Smith School, 300 Sophia St., Robert Smith
Robert Smith was a prominent Selkirk civic leader who served as Mayor from 1936 to 1937, vice-president of the Selkirk General Hospital Board, and chairman of the 1942 Victory Loan Drive. He became a respected local figure, and Robert Smith School was named in his honour after his community service.
Daerwood School, 211 Main St., Baron Daer
Although the name “Daerwood” was submitted by Barry Gordon, son of Mayor William E. Gordon, and picked from a contest held by the school board, “Daer” ties back to Baron Daer and Shortcleuch, also known as Thomas Douglas or Lord Selkirk, whom which the City of Selkirk is named for.
Daerwood Village and Daerwood Village Park also have ties to this same namesake.
Lord Selkirk Regional, 221 Mercy St., Lord Selkirk
Thomas Douglas, 5th Earl of Selkirk, was a Scottish nobleman and philanthropist who championed settlement for displaced Highland families. He secured a large land grant in what is now Manitoba and founded the Red River Colony, helping shape the early history of western Canada.
Parks: Murray Sinclair and Penwarden
Murray Sinclair Park, 301 Queen Ave., Murray Sinclair
Murray Sinclair (1951–2024) was Manitoba’s first Indigenous judge, a Senator, and chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Raised in the Selkirk area, he championed Indigenous justice and residential school survivors’ stories, producing 94 Calls to Action. He served as Queen’s University Chancellor and was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2024.
Pendwarden Park, 577-619 Moody Ave., William “Bill” Penwarden
William “Bill” Penwarden was a respected Selkirk resident who worked as an engineer at the Selkirk Mental Hospital until retirement. He was well-known locally for promoting sports and recreation opportunities in the community, and Penwarden Park on Moody Avenue was named in his honour when it was built in 1966.
Stores/Restaurants: Jeff’s Mall, Roxi’s and Packers
Jeff’s Mall, corner of Main Street and Manchester Ave.
While official founding history of the mall is unclear — with expected construction between 1991 and 1996 — before the mall came Jeff’s Grocery and Snack Bar, which stood at the same address and operated from 1952 until the mid to late 70s.
Jeff’s Groceries was owned by William Lawrence “Jeff” Kirkness, and his wife Eva Mae. Jeff retired in 1968 before passing away in 1975. The official closing date for Jeff’s Grocery is not readily available, but newspaper advertisements suggest it was open until 1979.
Roxi’s by the Red Uptown Café, 219 Manitoba Ave., Bohemier family
The Bohemier family — Denis, Linda, and Roxanne — purchased the restaurant located in the Selkirk Motor Hotel in 2005. Roxanne became manager in 2008, at which time the restaurant was renamed Roxi’s Restaurant. Over the years, it underwent two additional name changes, becoming Roxi’s Uptown Café and later Roxi’s by the Red Uptown Café. Ownership and management have since changed, and Roxanne is no longer involved with the restaurant.
Packers Women’s Fashion, 409 Main St., Ike and Faye Packer
Ike (Irving) and Faye Packer were the original founders of Packers Women’s Fashion. They established the business, which became a local landmark on the corner of Manitoba Ave and Main Street. In October 1976, they sold the store to Helen Sutherland and Dianne Frost, and later Kelly Lewis.
Sources
North Ward School / Victoria School / Ruth Hooker School, Manitoba Historical Society
Ruth Caroline Hooker, Manitoba Historical Society
Robert Smith School, Manitoba Historical Society
Robert Smith, Manitoba Historical Society
Some Historical Names and Places of the Canadian Northwest, Manitoba Historical SocietySouthward School / Daerwood School, Manitoba Historical Society
Thomas Douglas, Fifth Earl of Selkirk [Lord Selkirk], Manitoba Historical Society
About the Honourable Murray Sinclair, C.C., O.M., M.S.C., K.C., Government of Canada
Penwarden Park, Selkirk Museum
Packers Fashion, Instagram
Fantastic food in Downtown Selkirk… Roxi’s Uptown Café, Selkirk Museum
Selkirk Enterprise, December 1974
Selkirk Journal, 1987
