Badger Creek Museum - Cartwright-Roblin Historical Society

06/11/2026

Last evening, Badger Creek Museum hosted a crew from a drama class at Killarney School. The actors were pleased to find such a great location to shoot some of the scenes in their script.
Their costumes did get a few second looks from the families nearby for baseball practice! It was a lovely evening for both baseball and movie-making.

06/09/2026

The Badger Creek Museum will be opening next month, thanks to the volunteers who make this possible!

06/05/2026

A little more from the local newspaper. Charles Rooke married Elizabeth Mabel Surrey in 1905, during the time he was at Cartwright. Their first child was born in Cartwright in 1906.
The Review reported the story when he was shot, and subsequently died, in 1913.

06/05/2026

Constable Rooke was very well-regarded in Cartwright during his posting here. It is lovely to hear there is a lake now bearing his name. Chief Rooke was posted to Cartwright for about 5 years starting in 1904. He efficiently took care of a daring ring of horse thieves who had been operating along the US-Canada Boundary. Teams of horses were stolen from N. Argue and Alex Richards. Marvin Watts lost a mare and harness, Wes Howard a set of harness and collars, and W.W. Robinson lost a buggy, set of harness, robe, and also a side of venison.

05/28/2026

Charlie Baldock made the news as a defender of history!

Lieutenant-Governor Presents Historical Preservation Award to Four Manitobans

Yesterday, Lt.-Gov. Anita R. Neville presented Lieutenant Governor’s Historical Preservation and Promotion awards to four Manitobans for their meritorious service in the preservation and promotion of the province’s history and heritage.

This year’s award recipients are:
• Gilles Messier (Winnipeg);
• Charlie Baldock (Killarney);
• Christian Cassidy (Winnipeg); and
• Eleanor Proctor (Woodlands);

Citations for the four award recipients can be found on the MHS website: https://www.mhs.ca/awards/lieutenant-governors-awardfor-historical-preservation-and-promotion/past-recipients/

“The individuals selected to receive awards this year represent the many dedicated individuals throughout Manitoba who take great care in preserving and promoting this provinces rich and vibrant history,” said Lt.-Gov. Neville. “Ongoing advancements in technology continues to open new means – such as blogs, videos and podcasts – to allow these forward-thinking historians to share our past in exciting and engaging ways well beyond Manitoba’s borders. It is a pleasure to recognize their efforts and achievements.”

The Manitoba Historical Society (MHS) receives award nominations from the public and recommends up to five people to receive awards each year, two of which are reserved for emerging historians (mid-30s and younger). Nominations are welcome at any time.

Photo below was provided courtesy of Tracey Goncalves Photography. Front row (left-right): Eleanor Proctor, LG Anita Neville. Back row (left-right): Charlie Baldock, Gordon Goldsborough (MHS), Christian Cassidy, Lawrence Prout (MHS), and Gilles Messier.

05/18/2026

Here are a few more "from an elevator" photos. The first two are from slides in the Watts photos, roughly 1959. The last set, black and white, are Polaroids taken by Harry Wallace, maybe 1960 or 1961.

05/17/2026

A tour of Cartwright from fall of 1989, photos taken by Robbie Maxwell from the Pool elevator. It's almost 37 years since these were taken, and the south side of the town has changed a lot.

05/04/2026

The grand CNR hotels as of 1946.
A night at the Fort Garry Hotel at that time was about $4 for a single (more for a double). With minimum wage at 35 cents per hour, it would take 11 hours' work to pay for that night.
In 2026 a double room at the Fort Garry is about $237 per night. At today's $16 per hour minimum wage it would take 15 hours of work.
Most of these hotels, built in the 1920s, are still open, with various owners, if you are inclined to plan a visit. (Brandon MB and Sydney NS have been torn down, and the Admiral Beatty in Saint John NB is now a senior apartment building.)

04/30/2026

02/05/2026

The Cartwright and Area Foundation has supported local history, and the museum in many ways. The Pembina Manitou Archive is providing an online home for the local newspapers, and many other resources to help keep our local history safe and available.