Pearson’s Hall was the bustling center for all kinds of social activities in the early 1900’s. Many of the social events held at the hall included balls, concerts, live performances, theatrical productions, and moving pictures, however, the hall was also a gathering place for election campaign results, community meetings, and public speeches. This tragically came to an end when the building burned down in 1920.
Booth Fisheries maintained a steady presence as a local employer in the Selkirk and surrounding areas. The fishery employed 200 locals in processing and established well-equipped posts along the Lake Winnipeg shoreline.
Dr. William Easton (1910–1989) left an enduring 50-year legacy of healthcare dedication and service to the residents of Selkirk and its surrounding areas. Operating a diverse medical practice from 1935 until his retirement in 1986, he delivered thousands of babies, performed countless general surgeries, and championed the development of the consolidated Selkirk Medical Centre—a commitment to local community wellness that is remembered today through Easton Drive and the Easton Place Clinic.
B. Kovitz (Benjamin Kovitz) was a Lithuanian-born entrepreneur who fled Jewish persecution to build a nearly 40-year retail legacy in Selkirk. After opening a modest tailor shop in 1930, his business expanded into Kovitz Dry Goods and the popular Janis Lynn women’s apparel store, leaving a lasting mark on Manitoba Avenue and the town’s commercial history.
In the mid-1950s, a wave of excitement took over Selkirk as the community embraced the thrill of the Soap Box Derby. Though the craze lasted only a few short years, it brought local youth, families, and service clubs together for unforgettable summers of building, racing, and high-speed friendly competition down the town’s streets.
From the dramatic moment James Colcleugh stepped off a York boat in 1875 to string Western Canada’s first telegraph line, to a momentous 1877 royal visit by Lord and Lady Dufferin, Clandeboye Avenue marks the exact birthplace of Selkirk. Discover how a frontier crossing transformed into a town built on fierce British loyalty.