He was a former Confederate General, a roommate to George Custer, and a notoriously corrupt railway engineer. This exhibit uncovers the scandalous history of Thomas Lafayette Rosser, the man who defied Canadian Pacific Railway policy to give Selkirk its coveted branch line—lining his own pockets and saving the town from economic ruin just months before he was fired
From commanding a vast shipping empire that employed thousands to orchestrating the recruitment of the historic “Nile Boatmen,” Captain William Robinson was one of Selkirk’s greatest heroes. This exhibit explores his incredible life as a pioneer merchant, wartime patriot, and the town’s first great benefactor who helped build Selkirk’s foundational infrastructure.
Named to honor the “Mother of the Empire,” Queen Avenue speaks to the immense admiration Selkirk residents held for Queen Victoria. This exhibit reveals how a prestigious street address was used to entice early buyers, and how land originally reserved for the main Transcontinental Railway line transformed into a vital shipping corridor that powered Selkirk’s booming waterfront industries.
Originally named to persuade a local landowner to sell his property, McLean Avenue quickly evolved into Selkirk’s “Church Street.” This exhibit explores the avenue’s spiritual and social history—from the grand architectural treasures built by early congregations to the historic cable ferry whose colorful operators kept the town connected across the Red River.
Named during an era of pure optimism for Canada’s expanding west, Manitoba Avenue evolved from a wide, muddy trail of “boomtown” storefronts into Selkirk’s premier commercial hub. This exhibit explores the avenue’s vibrant history—from the draining of the Big Bog that sparked a farming boom, to its legendary tolerance for moonshine, wild saloon brawls, and a devastating town fire.
What began in 1875 as a muddy trail behind a busy waterfront quickly transformed into Selkirk’s premier commercial hub. This exhibit follows the evolution of Eveline Street—from its wild days as a bustling tent city of railway gangs and timber workers, to a distinguished district boasting grand brick storefronts and the West’s very first rural electric street railway.
From the failed farming dreams of Timothy Eaton’s nephews to a persistent town councilman who helped shape Selkirk’s early infrastructure, Eaton Avenue is packed with history. This exhibit explores the street’s evolution, featuring a secretive Masonic Hall, a citizen-funded Carnegie library, and the iconic “Blue Bridge” where an act of civil disobedience made local history.
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.
Explore the complex history of John Christian Schultz, the political figure and land speculator behind Schultz Avenue. From his fierce opposition to Louis Riel to his questionable credentials and backroom deals that altered the course of Western Canadian railway history, discover the real story of this notorious local figure.
Named during a peak of British patriotism at the outbreak of WWI, Britannia Avenue stands as a tribute to Selkirk’s deep ties to the monarchy. This exhibit explores the profound local impact of the Great War—from the halting of local industry and the mobilization of the 108th Battalion, to an Armistice celebration unexpectedly silenced by the Spanish Flu.