Wawanesa: A Prairie Heritage - New Business Opportunities

One important type of business that had previously been unfeasible in rural areas like Wawanesa, was the farm implement dealership. The costs of bringing farm equipment from Brandon were tremendous and so a dealer in Wawanesa would have no hope of turning a profit. The railroad allowed the farm machines to come directly to Wawanesa with greatly reduced shipping expenses. Local entrepreneurs in towns on the railroad were quick to establish dealerships to serve the farmers and bring profit to the communities. The most recent farm implement dealership in Wawanesa was E. Bain Jackson & Son. This business survived until the early '90s.

Tractors quickly became essential to prairie farmers

Small towns always had cafes and hotels, but the arrival of the railroad helped to stabilize the somewhat precarious position that these businesses often held. Wawanesa’s cafe was initially owned by a Mrs. Burke, who was very popular amongst the patrons. A.G. Scott was the second owner. His cafe also contained a bakery and confectionery as well as reading rooms.

The cafe provided a social centre and meeting place for farmers and other locals. Mr. Scott also owned a boot shop and apparently took orders for boots while selling bread and other baked goods.

The crowded interior of Scottie's store circa 1905

The Manitoba Hotel was an important part of early Wawanesa. The Hotel consisted of a restaurant and several rooms. Travelling businessmen and salesmen would stay in the hotel while they were in town and farmers who had a lot of business would sometimes take a room. The restaurant was popular with both locals as well as the travellers who were staying overnight.

Manitoba Hotel - built just after the turn of the century.

Another business that few could do without was the Flour Mill. The Mill provided gristing service for the local farmers and produced flour for the market. The Mill changed hands several times and eventually burned down on Christmas day in 1949.

Fire consumed the Mill in 1949.

Snider's Flour Mill was built in 1895

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