Stories
#Home of the Boissevain and Morton Library and Archives **Building: 1904—Present** *The Turtle Mountain-Souris Plains Heritage office in Boissevain is in the basement of the Civic Centre, which is attached to the Library building next door. This has made it simple for me to access the library’s reference materials and their archive collection. I have become quite fond of the library building over these last few years, though I understand that the building is no longer meeting the library’s needs. As the library looks forward to moving into a new space sometime in the near future, I wanted to take a moment to find out the history of the building whose future is now unknown.* [[inline:right:king-store]] ##The Importance Of General Stores [Enlarge Image>>](/photos/photo/king-store/) The first three buildings built in the new town of [Boissevain](item=boissevain) were all general stores. This is an indication of how central the general store was to early European settlement culture. The general store carried practical day-to-day items that everyone needed: clothing, groceries, hardware, tools, soap, etc. But it was also a gathering place, something like the present-day coffee shop. The general store usually had a wood stove which heated the building and provided a place for locals to warm themselves, catch up with neighbours, grumble about the weather, the state of crops or swap political views. The shopping experience of the general store was much different than we are accustomed to today. Many items were on display, but the shopper did not pick them up, instead …
(1882 - 1883) George Morton launched a cheese-making project west of Whitewater Lake. He may have been successful if he hadn't overlooked a couple of key factors.
(1905 - 1936) The Great Northern Railway covered the almost 70 miles between Brandon, Manitoba, and St. John, North Dakota.
Other Features Nearby
(1738) La Verendrye was the first European to cross the plains and in 1738 he came across a collection of 101 Assiniboine tents along Cherry Creek.
Look at life through the eyes of a prairie pioneer at the Beckoning Hills Museum.
Breads, Cakes, Muffins, Cinnamon Buns, Cookies, Coffee and many other treats.
Phone: 204-534-6130
Located next door to the swimming pool, ball diamonds and fair grounds.
Phone: 1-204-534-2406
Email: blittlejohn@mts.net
Hwy 10, just north of Boissevain
“Romance by the Railroad Park,” South Railway St – Local farmers and craftspeople gather here every Friday from June 1st to September 30th. Lunch is served by a different community group every week. 11am - 1pm
Just south of Boissevain off Hwy 10.
Phone: 204-534-2365
578 Mill Rd. Home to Hotstuff Pizza and a full convenience store.
Phone: 204-534-7243
336 South Railway St, Boissevain.
Phone: 204-534-2441
(1820s and 1830s) The Dakota and Assiniboine met in this region for a battle.
Good fast food and ice cream on the north edge of Boissevain.
Phone: 204-534-2226
(1888-1945) Caranton was previously known as Nimitaw. The Caranton School District bought the old Nimitaw School building and moved it. And moved again twice in it's lifetime.
Located in the Home Hotel, 488 South Railway, Boissevain.
Phone: 204-534-6272
An award-winning model railway collection. Located in Boissevain beside Tommy Turtle.
(1912 – 1962) The Lauder Subdivision, also known as the “Blue Flea” Line. The Tracks were removed in 1975-6.
The CPR reached Boissevain in 1885.
The CPR reached Deloraine in 1886.
300 South Railway St, Boissevain. Locally owned and operated.
Phone: 204-534-6568
(1905 – 1936) The Great Northern Railway covered the almost 70 miles between Brandon, Manitoba and St. John North Dakota.
A collection of 300 full-mount animals from North America and New Zealand set in interactive, natural scenes.
(September 11, 1957-1962)
This protected prairie hilltop above the Boissevain reservoir is often covered with prairie flowers. It is a peaceful spot to observer the surrounding wildlife.
The Moncur Gallery contains over 1000 artifacts, most of which local historian Mr. Bill Moncur picked up out of his field.
Sanger was a station of the CPR. The “Blue Flea” Line headed north from here.
The Sawmill serves a simple lunch, coffeehouse beverages and treats. Used book store, handmade items, pool table. Open late.
PHONE: 204-534-2232
EMAIL: sawmill@prairiepartners.ca
VISIT: http://www.prairiepartners.ca/sawmill/default.html
Phone: 1-204-534-8004
Email: theloftbb@yahoo.ca
A newer, bigger building built in 2011. 513 Mill Rd, Boissevain.
Phone: 204-534-2989