The Rich Soil of the Canadian Prairies
by Bob Angst
The historical photo is courtesy of Bob Angst
In the last quarter of the 19th century the rich soil of the Canadian prairies was attracting thousands of European immigrants. However, the land between the Riding Mountains and Lake Manitoba was generally passed over because of its tendency to flood and stay wet for long periods of time. Yet, a few cattlemen saw the potential for grazing beef on the abundant grass and in the 1890’s pioneers soon started homesteading the area. During these years the hamlet of Glensmith came into existence two miles east of present day Kelwood. (A cairn marks its former location.) Glensmith was home to a half dozen houses, a church, a school and several stores.
The historical photo is courtesy of Bob Angst
In the last quarter of the 19th century the rich soil of the Canadian prairies was attracting thousands of European immigrants. However, the land between the Riding Mountains and Lake Manitoba was generally passed over because of its tendency to flood and stay wet for long periods of time. Yet, a few cattlemen saw the potential for grazing beef on the abundant grass and in the 1890’s pioneers soon started homesteading the area. During these years the hamlet of Glensmith came into existence two miles east of present day Kelwood. (A cairn marks its former location.) Glensmith was home to a half dozen houses, a church, a school and several stores.
In 1903, the Canadian National Railway decided to construct a rail line between Neepawaand Dauphin. After some debate the company decided to lay its tracks on the first tier of theRiding Mountain hills. Faced with the dilemma of not being connected to rail service, the village of Glensmith literally moved itself 2 miles west. (A portion of the present day Kelwood Community Centre was once Glensmith’s church.) Because there was an abundance of communities in the area with the prefix 'Glen' in their name (Glencairn, Glenella, Glenhope), it was decided that the newly relocated village needed a name change. The name Kelwood was chosen.
The village of Kelwood prospered in its early years. The land east was made more farmable by constructing a series of drainage ditches and soon there were farmhouses on every quarter section (160 acres). To service this bustling farming community, new businesses appeared. Kelwood at one time was home to a bank, a hotel, several restaurants, 2 grain elevators, 3 grocery stores, several hardware stores, a variety of implement dealerships, and a billiard parlor. The population rose to over 400.
The village of Kelwood prospered in its early years. The land east was made more farmable by constructing a series of drainage ditches and soon there were farmhouses on every quarter section (160 acres). To service this bustling farming community, new businesses appeared. Kelwood at one time was home to a bank, a hotel, several restaurants, 2 grain elevators, 3 grocery stores, several hardware stores, a variety of implement dealerships, and a billiard parlor. The population rose to over 400.
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Not only was Kelwood,
a thriving farming community, but during the first half of the 20th century, many residents supplemented their income in the winter by harvesting trees from the huge forests found along the Riding Mountains. Hundreds of cords of firewood were annually sent into Winnipeg by railcar. Also, large quantities of spruce were milled into lumber by local sawmills for local use. (In that tradition, much of the lumber used in the construction of 'The Barn' came from Kelwood poplar, ash and oak trees.) If the conditions are right, you can still spot tall stands of white spruce located on the hills to the west. |
Kelwood,
like many small rural communities throughout The Prairies, has experienced the effects of declining population over the last few decades. Yet, there is genuine pride in the community coupled with a sense of optimism for a brighter future, as demonstrated by the recent opening of 'The Barn'. |
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SINCE 1990
THE MAIL SHELTER
Formed in 1991, when the post office closed, the committee found a way to purchase the building from Canada Post to use as a mail shelter, rather than have mailboxes out in the weather. The building is owned by the community and exists solely on donations to keep it going – there is no charge for having a post office box or parcel delivery. The continuing upkeep of the building, property taxes, and fire insurance are paid for with these funds
Please consider making a donation to this worthy cause to one of the following committee members. (Bob McRae, Doug Wood, Jane Wetherill, Bob Angst or Earl Burton.)
The Harvest Sun Music & Art Society:
Founded in 2005, originally called The Kelwood Improvement Society (after the Avonlea Improvement Society in the Anne of Green Gables books), the organization became a registered charity in 2009. The name was changed in 2013 to the Harvest Sun Music & Art Society, but the mandate of supporting our agriculturally based community by bolstering culture, providing quality arts, education, and entertainment, remained the same. Currently, the society is the umbrella organization for the music festival, the arboretum garden, the outdoor quilt show, and the barn quilts.
The Harvest Sun Music Fest:
Held the third weekend in August, the Harvest Sun Music Fest is a grass roots prairie music festival, dedicated to showcasing Manitoba musicians, growers and makers, and supporting the agricultural community it calls home. We work hard at providing something for everyone from the very young to the very young at heart.
www.harvestsunmusicfest.com
The Eleanor Rose Outdoor Quilt Show:
A vibrant exhibition, and a gathering of Manitoba’s quilt guilds, held annually in the Kelwood Arboretum and Garden, The Eleanor Rose Outdoor Quilt Show celebrates the ancient art of quilting and the passion and enthusiasm of today’s quilters.
www.eleanorroseoutdoorquiltshow.com
Kelwood Arboretum Garden:
Once a derelict area, the Kelwood Arboretum Garden (land belongs to the RM of Rosedale) now offers a peaceful pause and an inspirational oasis for those who want to sit and breathe, those that drive by slowly to take in the ever-changing colour, and those that stroll through on their way to somewhere else. The garden also provides a home for the Eleanor Rose Outdoor Quilt Show and a lovely spot for community gatherings, weddings, and family photos.
Formed in 1991, when the post office closed, the committee found a way to purchase the building from Canada Post to use as a mail shelter, rather than have mailboxes out in the weather. The building is owned by the community and exists solely on donations to keep it going – there is no charge for having a post office box or parcel delivery. The continuing upkeep of the building, property taxes, and fire insurance are paid for with these funds
Please consider making a donation to this worthy cause to one of the following committee members. (Bob McRae, Doug Wood, Jane Wetherill, Bob Angst or Earl Burton.)
The Harvest Sun Music & Art Society:
Founded in 2005, originally called The Kelwood Improvement Society (after the Avonlea Improvement Society in the Anne of Green Gables books), the organization became a registered charity in 2009. The name was changed in 2013 to the Harvest Sun Music & Art Society, but the mandate of supporting our agriculturally based community by bolstering culture, providing quality arts, education, and entertainment, remained the same. Currently, the society is the umbrella organization for the music festival, the arboretum garden, the outdoor quilt show, and the barn quilts.
The Harvest Sun Music Fest:
Held the third weekend in August, the Harvest Sun Music Fest is a grass roots prairie music festival, dedicated to showcasing Manitoba musicians, growers and makers, and supporting the agricultural community it calls home. We work hard at providing something for everyone from the very young to the very young at heart.
www.harvestsunmusicfest.com
The Eleanor Rose Outdoor Quilt Show:
A vibrant exhibition, and a gathering of Manitoba’s quilt guilds, held annually in the Kelwood Arboretum and Garden, The Eleanor Rose Outdoor Quilt Show celebrates the ancient art of quilting and the passion and enthusiasm of today’s quilters.
www.eleanorroseoutdoorquiltshow.com
Kelwood Arboretum Garden:
Once a derelict area, the Kelwood Arboretum Garden (land belongs to the RM of Rosedale) now offers a peaceful pause and an inspirational oasis for those who want to sit and breathe, those that drive by slowly to take in the ever-changing colour, and those that stroll through on their way to somewhere else. The garden also provides a home for the Eleanor Rose Outdoor Quilt Show and a lovely spot for community gatherings, weddings, and family photos.