Getting the Wheels Rolling The potential for Selkirk to have affordable and accessible transportation was first articulated as something to consider by mayoral candidate David Bell during the 2002 municipal election all-candidates forum. Bell was elected mayor that year, but no discussion or effort was undertaken by the city to explore the idea following the…
Background 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…
234 Manitoba Avenue April 1932 – August 1975 (43 years) Sam Epstein The Epstein’s were well known salesmen on Selkirk Avenue for more than four decades. Sam Epstein was born in Poland in 1907 and came to Canada in 1926 with his family, including his brothers Sol and Joseph. His future wife, Anne Lubotta was…
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…
Immigrating to Selkirk Abraham Rifkin immigrated from Shadrinsk, Russia to New York, USA. His wife and children, Louis, Izzy, Benny, Sarah, Harry, and Gordon slowly followed, one or two at a time. When Harry immigrated in 1908, he was 14 years old. The family settled in Galancy, a Jewish borough of New York. Abraham and…
Ethel’s Flower shop was opened by Ken and Ethel Crowder on February 11th, 1963 at 241 Manitoba Avenue. They ran the shop before selling to Lena Van Blaricom in 1966. Ethel’s Flower Shop, Date Unknown, Selkirk Heritage Advisory Committee Building Inventory Lena was very community driven, being active with the Selkirk Nursing Division of St.…
163 Edstan Place As its name suggests, this park was once part of a 37-acre farm with a storied history created by A. A. Gilroy. Gilroy came to Manitoba from Ontario in 1905 as a senior executive with the T. Eaton Company. At the time he started the farm, he was also president of the…
Recent Years 1980-Present
The Modern Town 1947-1979
Bitter Lessons 1929-1946