A History of Winnipegosis

One of the great lakes and inland waterways of Manitoba is Lake Winnipegosis – Little Winnipeg, or Little Muddy Water – so name by the Cree Indians. Lake Winnipegosis stretches its tapering, irregular, graceful length due north of Lake Manitoba and west of Lake Winnipeg …

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Fishing Industry

In 1895, Joseph Grenon set up a small commercial fishing operation complete with an ice house. Fish had to go from source to distant markets in as short a time as possible. …

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Lumbering

In 1897, with the railway extending to Winnipegosis the potential harvesting of the bountiful forests for lumber was recognized by Peter McArthur, a lumberman from Westbourne, MB area …

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Explorers and Traders

The explorers who came in the early years to this unmapped region in the heart of the country were guided in their travels by the native people, over trails, along canoe routes, and across lakes …

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Mike Kostyk

Mike Kostyk left his home in Bukovina, Austria, for Canada in 1901 at the age of 20. After 14 years in Ontario, he settled in Winnipegosis in 1915 …

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The Fur Trade

The first written record of the Winnipegosis area is that of Pierre La Verendrye in 1741. His father, Sieur de La Verendrye, then at Fort La Reine (present Portage la Prairie), sent him to establish Fort Dauphin on “L’Eau-Trouble” …

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Post Offices in Mossey River

The first post office in Fork River opened October 1, 1897 under the name “Minnokin” …

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Hotel Winnipegosis

The Hotel Winnipegosis was one of the first large buildings constructed in the small, growing community situated near the mouth of the Mossey River. It was built in 1897 by Mr. John Sieffert, Senior …

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Winnipegosis Grain Elevators

At one time these giant structures dotted the Canadian skyline from coast to coast. Because our father, Bill Waters was the grain buyer for the National in Fork River from 1946-1964 my siblings and I have strong memories of spending time …

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The Coming of the Railway

In 1889, the Lake Manitoba Railway and Canal Company was formed and a charter received to develop the resources of Lake Winnipegosis …

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Salt Mines

One of the most well-known salt-making Métis was the Monkman family. As early as 1818, James Joseph Monkman established himself as a salt-maker and began manufacturing salt …

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Grenon Fox Ranch

Joseph P. Grenon, manager of the Armstrong Trading Co. at Winnipegosis situated on the banks of the river ¼ mile from town …

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Snyder’s Garage

Snyder’s Garage was built in 1926 by Oscar Fredrickson for a relative Harry Palmerson who operated it in 1926 and 27 then it was rented by Bill Patterson for 1928 …

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Cabins on the Lake

This photo of Sam and Harry Hunter is taken from the “Pioneers of the Mowat School District”. In 1904 they purchased their uncle’s (Enos Draper) homestead on NW 1/4 32-28-18 in the Mowat area …

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