 |
|
Social Cultural & Economic Development Settlers and Defining Culture Although most of Virden’s first settlers were from Ontario there was, from the outset, an influential English element to the community. William Stephen’s Gopher Creek Colony was one effort at creating an English “Model Farm” settlement near Virden. The colony wasn’t a resounding success but Stephen continued to be an influential community leader. Two English aristocrats, Thomas Routledge and Francis Bouverie, did establish a large farming and ranching operation known as Bosshill Farm The Canada North-West Land Co. were British capitalists with the 7th Duke of Manchester as a leading director. The company was given joint trusteeship of the town sites. Lord Elphinstone also had farmland in near Virden and had a large stone house erected in 1881. The first churches erected reflected this Anglo-Saxon heritage of the pioneers and the St. Agnes Anglican remains a fine example of an English style rural church. Other Settlement/Ethnic Groups Some Americans from Minnesota were buying “proved” homesteads around 1900. As with most Manitoba towns, Virden became more multi-cultural as the twentieth century progress and saw both Catholic and Mennonite churches built. Seminal Events The Oil Strike of 1951 had an enormous impact on the local economy. The fact that the population doubled in the 1950s indicates the scope of the change. Economic Engines As is the case in virtually all prairie towns, agriculture is the prime Economic Engine but in Virden’s case the Oil Industry was, and is, an important factor. Commercial Growth Frame and Miller opened the first store in Virden, a hardware store. And while that building no longer exists the building they erected to replace it is just on of many fine commercial from the consolidation period that not only exist, but are being well-used. As with many prairie towns, there were various attempts at economic diversification. Because Virden is a relatively large town some of these efforts were significant over the long term. The B.P. Kent Flour Mill is one example. Early attempts at manufacturing, such as the Virden manufacturing Co Ltd, which manufactured pumps, also had considerable impact. Social & Cultural Development The Pioneer era, began in 1881 with the arrival of the first “permanent” settlers from Ontario They were joined over the next three years by settlers from both Ontario and Britain who oversaw the development of the fledgling village of Gopher Creek into the busy town of Virden. By 1885 the standard variety of commercial operations were underway. By 1890 the population had reached 500. In Virden, the Establishment era might be defines as the period in which the town took its form. A photo taken in 1891 shows Virden at this stage. Rows of commercial structures appear along Nelson and Wellington Streets, and the streetscape along Seventh Avenue was beginning to take its current form. Frame houses are scattered along streets that would soon be lined with homes. In Virden this next generation of houses, associated with the “Consolidation” era, would include an unusual proportion of brick buildingss ranging from ambitious, stately residences to standard gable-fronted homes and modest cottages. The availability of good clay for bricks prompted the establishment of a successful brickyard. This brick appears throughout the town, it defines both the commercial district and the appearance of many residential streets. |
