Turtle Mountain-Souris Plains Heritage Association

(Pre 1790 - 1886) The Yellow Quill Trail began as a trade route used by First Nations but served as a convenient avenue of travel for pioneering Europeans as well.

Stories

The Souris River Fur Trade

The Fur Trade on the Souris River flourished because of the proximity of grassland favoured by grazing bison. Pemmican made from these magestic beasts supported the rest of the fur trade.

Yellow Quill Trail

The Yellow Quill Trail began as a trade route used by First Nations but served as a convenient avenue of travel for fur traders and pioneering Europeans as well.

Other Features Nearby

A.F. Jensen Trophy Room

A collection of trophy-hunted animals from around the world. Located beside the Antler River Historical Museum in Melita. PHONE: 204-522-3438

Alston Site – Old Trading Post

(Late 1700s) The log foundations of a fur trading post were discovered at this site in 1937. This was one of two posts that were located on the south side of the Souris River as opposed to the north.

American Fur Trading Co. Fort

(1810 – 1828) There were two fur trading posts on the Souris River run by the American Fur Trading Company. The exact location of the other one is unknown.

Antler River Historical Society Museum

Housed in a circa 1905 eight classroom schoolhouse, Melita's only museum is well laid out.

A. R. Cafe

301 E Railway St, Hartney. PHONE: 204-858-2248

Ash House

(1795 – 1797) Ash House was likely the first fur trading post built on the Souris River.

Bigway Foods

117 Main St, Melita. PHONE: 204-522-3362 or 204-522-3366

Boundary Commission Trail

(Pre 1600 - 1885) The Boundary Commission Trail was the first “highway” to the west, carrying First Nations to and fro, Métis on buffalo hunts and finally Europeans looking for rich farmland.

Brockinton Site

(800 – 1600 AD) During this site's earliest occupation, it was used as a bison pound.

Chicken Chef, Melita

9 Boundary St, Melita. PHONE: 204-522-2484

CNR-Hartney-Carmen-Winnipeg Branch to Hartney

(1900-1961) The Canadian National Railway was built past "Trackend" at Argue to reach Hartney from the east in 1900.

CNR Hartney-Carmen-Winnipeg Branch to Virden

(1905) The CNR built a bridge over the Souris River and reached Grande Clairière in the fall and Virden by Christmas.

CPR-Estevan Branch to Hartney

The Estevan Branch of the Canadian Pacific Railway reached Hartney from Brandon in 1890.

CPR-Estevan Branch to Saskatchewan

The Estevan Branch of the Canadian Pacific Railway reached Melita in 1891 and continued to the Saskatchewan border.

CPR Lauder-Alida Branch

(1905-1976) The CPR built west of Lauder as far as Broomhill then continued to Tilston the following summer. A flood in the spring of 1976 took out the bridge at Bernice along with some of the track, which brought an end to the use of this Branch.

CPR-Lyleton Branch to Lyleton

Lyleton received service by rail in 1902, two years after the railway reached Waskada.

Dakota – Assiniboine Battle: Napinka

(1830) A battle between the Dakota and Assiniboine occurred northeast of present-day Napinka in 1830.

Dakota-Assiniboine Battle - Souris River

(1793) The Dakota were opposed to the fur trade in the Souris basin and wanted the Assiniboine to stop trading with the fur traders. During a battle held in this approximate location, the Dakota wiped out an entire Assiniboine village.

DhMg-86

(800 AD) A small surface collection from the Besant-Sonota culture was recovered at this site.

First Nations Occupation

The remains of a large First Nations occupation were found here, including human bones and flint artifacts. Date unknown.

Fletcher Store

A small general store existed here for some time, it was owned by Fletcher Shillington, a bachelor.

Fort Desjarlais

(1836 – 1858) The independently run Fort Desjarlais was the largest and most successful of the Souris River Fur Trading Forts.

Fort Mr. Grant

(1824 – 1861) Cuthbert Grant established this fort on the Souris River on behalf of the HBC to keep illegal operations from diverting business away from the company.

Grand Bend School

(1890-1946)

Grand Pre School

(1893-1919)

Great Northern Railway

(1905 – 1936) The Great Northern Railway covered the almost 70 miles between Brandon, Manitoba and St. John North Dakota.

Happy Chopstick Restaurant

148 Main St, Melita. PHONE: 204-522-3966

Hart-Cam Museum

The old general store that houses the Hart-Cam Museum has been a movie set for two Hollywood films.

Hartney

(1882 – Present) Hartney is a town with a vibrant history, pleasant present and bright future!

Hartney Campground

Located next to the pool and playground in Hartney. PHONE: In summer: 204-858-2167. Otherwise: 204-858-2429. EMAIL: hartney@mts.net VISIT: http://www.hartney.ca/default.asp?fxoid=FXMenu,3&ID=10&sub_ID=213&sub2_ID=135

Hartney Consumer’s Co-op

Groceries and Bakery items. 201 E Railway St, Hartney PHONE: 204-858-2276

Hartney Lumber Supply

Gas pump and lumber supplies. 204 River Ave. PHONE: 204-858-2014

Hartney Motor Inn

301 River Ave, Hartney. PHONE: 204-858-2525

Hunter Blacksmith Shop

A small blacksmith shop, perhaps 10’ by 10’ was opened by Archie Hunter who came from Ontario in 1890. He moved his business into Lauder when the railway was built.

Independent Fur Trading Post - Melita

(1849) The exact location of this fort close to present-day Melita is unknown.

Independent Fur Trading Post - Napinka

(1846) An independent trader who was believed to come from Turtle Mountain set up a post in the Napinka area.

Lauder Ferry

(1892 – 1895) A raft made of trees and timbers served as a ferry across the Souris R. in the early days of settlement. It was operated by a pulley system and usually only in the spring when waters were high.

L & F Campground

In Melita. PHONE: 204-522-3183, 204-522-8680 VISIT: http://www.campscout.com/campground/MB0131/

Lime Kiln

(1890 - 1892) Lime Kiln. Not much is known about this site, other than that it existed. It is unknown whether it produced lime for local markets or for export.

Little Patch of Heaven

A small bed and breakfast outside of Hartney within walking distance of the Souris River. Firepit, Guest Garden, etc. PHONE: 204-858-2226 EMAIL: littlepatchofheavenbb@yahoo.ca VISIT: http://www.bedandbreakfast.mb.ca/listing.php?id=littlepatch

Lyleton Park

Primitive Services, no fee, donations accepted visit or contact the RM of Edward municipal office PHONE: 204-634-2231. EMAIL: rmedw@inethome.ca

Magwood Site – Independent Trading Post

The remains of a very old independent trading post were found here in the 1940s. It is unknown when exactly it operated.

Manchester

(1881 – 1890) The town of Manchester moved to the railway when it came through the area and was renamed Melita.

Mandan Trail

The Mandan Trail was a primary artery of travel and trade between the Assiniboine River Forts and the Missouri River where the Mandan First Nations lived.

McBurney Site – Trading Post

The site of an old trading post. Artifacts such as musket balls, trading beads, broken dishware, a rusty knife and some native artifacts were turned up here as a result of cultivation.

Melita

(1891-Present) The community of Manchester became Melita when it moved to be beside the railway.

Melita Bakery

126 Main St, Melita. PHONE: 204-522-3352

Melita by the River Motel

Hwy 3, E of Melita. PHONE: 204-522-3261 EMAIL: melitamotelbytheriver@hotmail.com

Melita Frozen Foods

113 Main St, Melita. PHONE: 204-522-3157 EMAIL: melitaff@mymts.net

Melita Inn Motor Hotel

41 Front St, Melita. PHONE: 204-522-3336

Melita School

(1886-Present) The old building is still in Melita housing the Melita Museum.

Métis Bison Hunts - Lauder Sandhills

(1837) A group of Métis bison hunters from St. Francois Xavier hunted bison in the Lauder Sandhills for several years.

Métis Trading Post

(1840s) A Métis fur trading post operated here on the Souris River for a short time in the 1840s.

Mullett Site

(1500 BCE – 750 AD) A bison kill and processing site on the bank of the Souris.

North Antler School #1

(1888-1951) North Antler School was closed from 1895-1897.

North Antler School #2

(1888-1951) Closed from 1895-1897. North Antler School moved from previous location to present location in about 1897/1898.

Petro Can Cardlock

Located on #83 Hwy through Melita. PHONE: 204-522-3202

Red Door Cafe

Lunch specials, amazing pie! 237 E Railway St, Hartney. PHONE: 204-858-2313

River Park RV Campground

East of Hwy 83 in Melita, in a treed location. PHONE:204-522-3413 VISIT: http://www.melitamb.ca/index.php?pageid=426

R&M Value Foods

123 Main St, Melita. PHONE: 204-522-8680

Snyder Dam Site

(800 AD) A brief excavation at this site uncovered two of the most complete Sonota/Besant vessels recovered in Western Canada.

Snyder II Site

(1610 +/- 130) Excavations at this site lend considerable weight to the idea of pre-European horticultural activity in south-west Manitoba

Sourisford School

(At least 1899-1931)

Sub Factory

Homemade and delicious subs and wraps! 139 Front Street. PHONE: 204-522-8864

Townsend Valley Golf Course

Fully licensed dining in the summer. 140 Townsend Dr., Melita. PHONE: 204-522-3820

Truro School #1

(September 1st, 1886-1944) A few years after Truro School moved to the second location and then in 1917 it moved again to the third and present location.

Truro School #2

(September 1st, 1886-1944) A few years after Truro School moved to the second location and then in 1917 it moved again to the third and present location.

Truro School #3

(September 1st, 1886-1944) A few years after Truro School moved to the second location and then in 1917 it moved again to the third and present location.

White Owl Gas Service

Located on the #3 Hwy in Melita. Convenience store attached (with ice cream!) PHONE: 204-522-3961.

X.Y. Fort

(1795) The X.Y. Company was made up of disgruntled North West Co. Workers. This post was managed by Mr. Peter Grant and operated in opposition to the nearby N.W. Co. Ash Fort.

Yellow Quill Trail Continues

Yellowquill Trail continues west from this point. It meets up with the Carleton Trail at present-day Portage la Prairie.

Yellow Quill Trail – still visible

The Yellow Quill trail is still visible in this location.

Item Details