Selkirk Manitoba - Grand Slam Curling Masters

Selkirk Manitoba Home of tHe Grand Slam CurlinG maSterS October 28 - November 2, 2014 02 by Jennifer mCfee for tHe free PreSS Visitors to selkirk during the grand slam of Curling masters tournament may want to take time out to get swept up in the town's deep history. You'll find plenty of historic sites and attractions a stone's throw away from the Selkirk Recreation Complex. Local historian Rob Sarginson knows all the hot spots, and he says even the roads tell tales of days gone by. Streets are named after the wives and daughters of the original investors in the community, and avenues are named for people they hoped to impress, including Dufferin Avenue for the governor general of the day and Queen Avenue for Queen Victoria. The tales behind some names paint a curious picture of Selkirk's early years. For example, Annie Street is named for Annie McDermot Bannatyne, who horsewhipped Canadian poet Charles Mair in 1870 or thereabouts for insulting Métis women of the Red River. "There are other streets with good stories attached as well, but Annie is a good example of the history that abounds here," Sarginson says. As for scenic sites, the waterfront area boasts both a rich past and a lively future. "We are a navigable port, so we started building wharves just down below where the downtown is in about 1875. All the fishing boats on Lake Winnipeg used to have their fish emptied here and processed just behind the docks," Sarginson explains. "Mineral exploration and all the provisioning of northern communities was done via Lake Winnipeg and the Red River north of Selkirk, so it was a really bustling type of waterfront that we had. Now the whole area's been redeveloped in a beautiful amphitheatre where we have concerts and fireworks in the summertime. That's a really nice area for people to come to." For another glimpse of local history, take a stroll down Eveline Street, which was once a main commercial corridor. Several brick buildings have withstood the test of time, including an old retail store that dates back to the 1880s. "Apparently, it was one of Timothy Eaton's nephews who believed in Selkirk and its opportunity to acquire railroad and become a real something — which it did. Once you get a railway and you're the head of navigation for Lake Winnipeg, you've got something that can sustain you through the dry periods, and there were lots of those," Sarginson says. The building, which is now used for office space, was also the headquarters for the streetcar at one time. "There was a streetcar service that ran from Eveline Street, along Main all the way to Luxton Avenue in Winnipeg from about 1904 onwards," Sarginson says. The 110-year-old Traders Bank building has been restored and transformed in the business district. Across the street, the original Merchant's Hotel was built with logs in 1887 and then rebuilt with bricks in 1903. Over the years, the building has been a bank, barbershop and pool room. At the corner of Eveline Street and Queen Avenue, the Marine Museum of Manitoba features six historic ships dating from 1897 to 1963. History comes alive through pictures, newspaper clippings and nautical exhibits. Nearby on Main Street, the Community Arts Centre and Gwen Fox Gallery are housed in a brick heritage building constructed in 1907 for the post office and customs office. For a peek at Selkirk's spiritual side, stroll down McLean Avenue, where three Protestant churches are clustered on the same block off Eveline Street. "Christ Church Anglican has fabulous modern stained-glass windows," Sarginson says. "Knox Presbyterian Church has a gorgeous gothicy-styled building with beautiful stained- glass windows dating from 1904." At Selkirk United Church, extensive renovations have transformed the building originally constructed by Methodists in 1895. A short jaunt from Selkirk will take you to several more churches that stand as reminders of yesteryear. "Just south of town is historic St. Clements Stone Church, one of the oldest along the Red River. In its churchyard are most of the pioneers of Selkirk's early days — some saints and some sinners," Sarginson says. "North of Selkirk is the beautiful St. Peters Church, site of the first native agricultural settlement on the Prairies and final resting place of the great leader Chief Peguis." Recently, Sarginson and fellow historian Fraser Stewart acted as guides for a Magical History Tour of the area, sponsored by the Regional Heritage Committee and Red River North Tourism Development Committee. Coincidentally, both Stewart and Sarginson run bed and breakfasts in the area. Stewart and his wife, Bev, own two historic homes — The Fidler House and Thomas Bunn House — while Sarginson and his wife, Laurel, own Evergreen Gate Bed & Breakfast. Sarginson also offers tours for guests in conjunction with the City of Selkirk and the Gaynor Family Regional Library. "There are lots of interesting places for people to visit in Selkirk and area if they are interested in history," he says. "The stories behind these buildings and the town are really fascinating." ■ To learn more about area history and heritage, visit www.redrivernorthtourism.com or www.cityofselkirk.com. Red RiveR Tales Explore Selkirk's rich history the traders bank building is just one of many historiC struCtures in the downtown area. photo by darCy finley ENTERFORYOURCHANCETO WIN TEAMROADTRIP PRIZEPACKAGES ANDONEGRANDPRIZE SHOPPINGSPREE WORTH$3000! GOTO keystoneselkirk.sourceforsports.com 417MAINSTREET,SELKIRKMB PHONE(204)482-7552

• Cover