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Map 2:  Manitoba 1876




Manitoba Map 1876

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Map of the Province of Manitoba and Part of the District of Kewatin and North West Territory (1876)

Books on the prairies written during the settlement era were generally accompanied by maps of indifferent quality. This is a characteristic map, intended to provide the general reader with the information he requires for following the material in the book. It is gay and pleasant, and drawn in rather carefree fashion. The cartographer, for example, shows off his dexterity in printing in the very long title. This map has glaring errors, such as the indication of a main C. P. R. line west of Selkirk, which was never built, and a steamboat on Lake Manitoba, before one was in use. Also the north-south railroad line was not completed by 1876. Stock engraving blocks were probably used to show Mennonites, Indians, steamboats, and sailing vessels. The map shows the names of some of the townships east of Winnipeg, Millbrook, Plympton and Sunnyside, intended to be minor administrative units on the model of Ontarian townships. It also correctly indicates the two Mennonite reserves. The French Canadian reserve near Emerson never existed. The map shows how settlement was gradually starting to fan out from Winnipeg in the early 1870s, but before there was really much thrust. The famous Palestine area (present Gladstone) and Beautiful Plain (Arden) are marked, but even the favoured Pembina Mountain area had hardly been touched by farmers, except for the Boyne Settlement. On this map we can see how the earliest boundaries of the Province do not conform to the section survey.

(Warkentin and Ruggles. Historical Atlas of Manitoba. map 121, p. 276)
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Map of the Province of Manitoba and Part of the District of Kewatin and North West Territory Showing the Townships and Settlements. Drawn from the latest Gov. Maps, Surveys and Reports for "The Prairie Province" 1876.
Hamilton, J. C.

Image Courtesy of University of Manitoba : Archives & Special Collections