Selkirk has been and still is home to some extraordinary people over the years. Some gave their lives for a better tomorrow, others traveled the world, created recreation, and gave transportation. Learn how these great individuals shaped our beautiful city into what it is today.
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…
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. In 1881, at 35, Emma acted on her dreams of becoming a traveller, anthropologist, correspondent, and literary scholar. The codes…
The suggestion to have a transit service was first introduced in 2004 by Bill Chartier. Chartier was the owner of Will’s Taxi and had noticed the fees that taxis changed were too steep for low-income families and seniors. The desire to have affordable and accessible transportation led him to connect with Councillor Duane Nicol. Councillor…
A citizens group called the Selkirk Literary Association was established around 1879, primarily to bring speakers to the town and to host debates. One topic in August 1879 was ‘…be it resolved that Canada is a better field for immigrants than the United States.’. The society is mentioned sporadically through the 1880s, which suggests that…
After a few false starts, Selkirk established its curling club in 1893. On Christmas Eve 1893, the Manitoba Chapter of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club (the registry body for curling clubs in the province) met to discuss the creation of a curling club in Selkirk. They announced that; “D. Fromer, secretary of the Selkirk Curling…
Curling’s popularity continued to grow after the Second World War, and several new rinks were built in the region including Winnipeg Beach in 1952 and Gimli in 1953. Selkirk also wanted to replace its ageing building but would have to wait a few more years. The Selkirk Curling Club formed a building committee on March…
