The historical development of the town of Virden, while conforming to a typical Manitoba / Prairie pattern as a railway town, also reflects some additional unique and interesting elements. Its origins may be securely tied to the Canadian Dream in that it was created by the C.P.R. but its subsequent development owes more to other factors, both geographic and historical.

Settlement of the Virden area began in about 1881, but it was with the arrival of the C.P.R in 1882 that a town site sprang up about a mile east of the current site of Virden. Gopher Creek Post Office was established in September of 1882 and some building was begun, but a rival town site was developed following spring after the C.P.R. established its station near its current location.  The town site was owned by the Canada North-West Land Co with the 7th Duke of Manchester as a leading director. The C.P.R. had granted that company joint trusteeship of town sites such as Moose Jaw, Regina, Qu’Appelle and this location which was originally named Manchester in the Duke’s honour. Upon discovering that that name was already taken, the name Verdun was selected by his wife after a Cathedral town in her homeland of Hanover.

The extent of the influence of Canada North-West Land Co. is amply documented through the extensive advertising of lots for sale in Winnipeg and other newspapers, beginning in 1882, but prior to the coming of the railway a few hardy Ontario-based homesteaders had made their way along the south branch of the Saskatchewan / Fort Ellice trails, some walking from the end of the rail line which was at Flat Creek (Oak Lake) in the fall of 1881; but the rail line spurred a rapid population in both the rural regions and the new  town.

The growth was aided somewhat by The Gopher Creek Colonization Company, “the first model farm colony-to-be in the history of the west according to Virden historian Ida Clingan. The colony was the dream of William Stephen and financed by Sir George Stephen, like many such efforts it failed to meet its grandiose expectations, but did succeed in more subtle and lasting ways as a cultural influence.
Along with the colonization companies there were two notable early efforts at large scale farming that had a lasting impact on the community. Both Bosshill Farm, modeled on English country estates, was established by two well-to-do Englishmen and the extensive farming operation of James Scallion, known as The Grange” were on the outskirts of the village. But Virden’s success was firmly rooted in the efforts of a wide variety of homesteaders, businessmen and craftsmen that came in the 1880’s.

Virden grew quickly and was soon an important service centre for a rapidly expanding agricultural community in the region, and a wide range of commercial enterprises commonly found in larger centres, including a grist mill, were established.

One enterprise that soon set Virden apart was its large-scale brick-making operation.
In the early 1890’s Sherif and Neden started a brickyard on the site of the former Gopher Creek settlement. The bricks were first used in town in 1892 on Higgenbotham’s new Drug Store on Nelson Street.  The brickyard closed in 1902 and was re-opened in 1906 by W.A. Bridgett, W.J. Gyles, G.N. Miller and others. A better quality brick was produced that was widely used on local projects and exported in quantity to places like Regina other booming western communities.

Virden’s history has also been impacted in various ways by military matters, perhaps reflecting its large element of British settlers and the presence of a several ex- Army veterans. As a response to the Riel Rebellion of 1885, a Home Guard was formed at Virden under the command of Captain Thomas Routledge, with military drill carried on at Boss Hill Farm.  In 1893 this unit evolved into the 12th Manitoba Dragoons with headquarters in Virden.  Contingents from the Dragoons saw service in the Boer War and in both World Wars.  The armoury they used for nearly 70 years stood until 1970. The military presence continued during the Second World War when, in 1941, the No. 19 Elementary Flying Training School was established at Virden.

The modern history of Virden has been impacted by the discovery of oil and the reuslting far-reaching economic impact. The first exploration beginning in 1948 led to a successful well in 1951 and a spurt of growth that saw the population double in a few years.

Transportation, so instrumental in the formation of the town, also continued to have its impact as Virden’s location along what would become the Trans-Canada Highway placed it in an advantageous position. The expansion of the town and its current layout are reflected by its Highway connections, as considerable growth has occurred along the highway.

Virden’s unique characteristics as a large prairie town are the sum of these influences and events. It remains a town that has welcomed change while embracing its heritage.