A tree, located beside the Trans-Canada Highway has been used by generations of travellers between Winnipeg and Brandon to denote the half-way point along their journey. It was especially important before the advent of the provincial highway network when trails across the prairie were unmarked by signs, so natural features such as large trees were useful landmarks. The Half-Way Tree has become such a cherished local feature that plans to cut it down in the interest of highway safety have been protested vigorously.
Local opinons differ on the true identity of the Half-Way Tree. A Crack Willow tree (Salix fragilis, designated here as the North Half-Way Tree) stands along the north side of the west-bound highway lane in the Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie while an Eastern Cottonwood tree (Populus deltoides, the South Half-Way Tree) is on the south side of the east-bound highway lane (about N49.97496, W98.67873) in the Municipality of North Norfolk. The two trees are about five miles (eight kilometres) apart.
North Half-Way Tree on the west-bound highway lane (2011)
Source: James Kostuchuk
South Half-Way Tree on the east-bound highway lane (2013)
Source: GoogleSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.97521, W98.55715
denoted by symbol on the map above
We thank Maria Zbigniewicz for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by James Kostuchuk and Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 11 August 2020
Historic Sites of Manitoba
This is a collection of historic sites in Manitoba compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. The information is offered for historical interest only.
Browse lists of:
Museums/Archives | Buildings | Monuments | Cemeteries | Locations | OtherInclusion in this collection does not confer special status or protection. Official heritage designation may only come from municipal, provincial, or federal governments. Some sites are on private property and permission to visit must be secured from the owner.
Site information is provided by the Manitoba Historical Society as a free public service only for non-commercial purposes.
Send corrections and additions to this page
to the MHS Webmaster at webmaster@mhs.mb.ca.Help us keep history alive!
