Before the Great Depression, short-term home loans meant families prioritized paying them off quickly—and celebrated with a “mortgage burning party.” Discover the fascinating history of this forgotten tradition and how Selkirk’s own Curling Club marked the milestone in 1974.
When Selkirk was incorporated in 1882, the world was on the brink of a modern boom. Discover the fascinating history of early Canadian innovations from the era—including the train baggage tag, the electric oven, and the arrival of peanut butter.
History is beneath our feet. Discover the incredible story of a hidden 1870 Selkirk log cabin, and the decades of forgotten artifacts—from arrowheads to a bronze crucifix—unearthed in a local family garden plot.
Following the hardships of the Great Depression, Selkirk experienced a massive post-war boom. Discover how a surge in farming machinery, major industrial expansions like the Manitoba Rolling Mills, and crucial government funding helped transform the town into a thriving modern hub.
The annual Noventis Credit Union Evening of History is back, taking place this year at the historic Memorial Hall. Discover how this special fundraiser supports the Selkirk Heritage Endowment Fund, featuring an inspiring presentation by the Honourable Murray Sinclair on the meaning of home.
From her happy childhood on North Main Street to her dedicated service as a church deaconess and school board member, Ruth Hooker’s life was defined by community impact. Discover how she triumphed over personal health battles to foster 37 children worldwide and leave a lasting legacy that still lives on at the Selkirk school bearing her name.
From 1952 to 1962, Selkirk moviegoers packed the Roxy and Garry theatres for “Foto-Nite”—a wildly popular weekday promotion with massive cash prizes. Discover the clever loophole used to bypass anti-gambling laws, and the legendary local stories of massive jackpots and overwhelmed winners
Built as a vital Great Depression relief project, the Selkirk Lift Bridge quickly became the center of a dramatic standoff. Discover the historic “War of Selkirk Bridge,” when local citizens took matters into their own hands to open the span after governments refused to claim ownership.
From military training grounds to record-breaking fish hatcheries, Selkirk’s green spaces hold a deep history of bravery and community innovation. Discover the storied past behind Red Feather Farm, Veterans Memorial Gardens, and Murray Sinclair Park.
The 1929 Wall Street crash initially went unnoticed in Selkirk, but by mid-1930, the gloom of the Great Depression took hold. Discover how the community navigated severe layoffs, created vital “make-work” projects like the historic Selkirk Bridge, and ultimately found a path back to prosperity