Historic Sites of Manitoba: Leacock House / “The Castle” (Birtle, Municipality of Prairie View)

Around 1881, Edward Phillip Leacock built a grand house overlooking the town of Birtle in what is now the Municipality of Prairie View. Known locally as “The Castle,” the building was not completed until after Leacock left, and the remaining work was overseen by its next owner, Mayor John Sanderson Crawford.

Leacock House (circa 1886). Shown in the photo, standing at left, was Capt. Harry Arnold, killed in South Africa, and right, unknown. Seated: E. P. Leacock with his son; Dr. Harrison, MP for Neepawa; Mr. Pentland of the Land Titles Office in Birtle, Mrs. Leacock with her daughter. The little girl in front is not identified. Source: Birtle Eye-Witness, 4 October 1972. A view of the Leacock House on the hill overlooking Birtle (circa 1910) Source: Birdtail Country Museum The former Leacock House (2013) Source: Nathan Hasselstrom The former Leacock House (March 2016) Source: Gordon Goldsborough Site Coordinates (lat/long): N50.42745, W101.05069 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Memorable Manitobans: Edward Phillip “EP” Leacock (1853-1927)

Memorable Manitobans: John Sanderson Crawford (1837-1916)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Leacock House (442 Scotia Street, Winnipeg)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Abandoned Manitoba

Sources:

We thank Brenda Evans and Ron Bell for providing information used here.

This page was prepared by Nathan Hasselstrom (Birdtail Country Museum) and Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 20 April 2021

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. SEARCH the collection Browse lists of: Museums/Archives | Buildings | Monuments | Cemeteries | Locations | Other Inclusion 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. Search Tips | Suggest an Historic Site | FAQ Help us keep history alive!