Eriksdale, Manitoba
| Eriksdale | |
|---|---|
 Eriksdale
|
|
| Coordinates: 50°51′46″N 98°6′4″W / 50.86278°N 98.10111°WCoordinates: 50°51′46″N 98°6′4″W / 50.86278°N 98.10111°W | |
| Country |
 Canada
|
| Province |
 Manitoba
|
| Region | Interlake |
| Census Division | No. 18 |
| Government | |
| • Governing Body | Rural Municipality of Eriksdale Council |
| • MP | James Bezan |
| • MLA | Thomas G. Nevakshonoff |
| Population (2011 Census) | |
| • Total | 846 |
| Time zone | CST (UTC−6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC−5) |
| Postal Code | R0C 0W0 |
| Area code(s) | 204 |
| NTS Map | 062J16 |
| GNBC Code | GAHUP |
For the rural municipality of the same name; see: Rural Municipality of Eriksdale.
Eriksdale is an unincorporated community located in the Interlake Region of central Manitoba, Canada, near the eastern shore of Lake Manitoba. The community is located on the crossroads of Highway 6 and Highway 68, approximately 118 km (73 mi) north of Winnipeg. It is part of the surrounding Rural Municipality of Eriksdale.
The first white settlers in the area now known as Eriksdale, were from Sweden and began arriving in 1905. They mostly arrived via Oak Point, which was the end of the rail line at the time.
Homesteaders Ben and Minerva Laird provided a stop off eating place known as Lairdsville after 1908. The community was named Eriksdale after the Jonas Erikson family who had owned land where Eriksdale was built. Homesteaders were promised good land and cheap prices, they instead found largely stony marshy land that was difficult to farm.
Those who stayed adapted and the land had plenty of game, fowl, fish, berries, good water, and wood for shelter and warmth. Entrepreneurs saw the opportunity for development of business to serve the homesteaders and soon roads were built along with schools and churches.
The R.M. of Eriksdale was formed in 1918.
Agriculture and its related businesses continue to be the major economic activity in the Western Interlake. The relatively low land prices, the ability of this land to produce high quality forage crops, the abundance of clean water, and the stable cattle prices have combined to make this area one of the best beef producing areas in the country. The major products produced in this region are agricultural products, specifically grain, hay, forage seed, livestock and PMU (Pregnant Mares Urine). The production of cattle is perhaps the most important agricultural sector in the Western Interlake. Cattle farmers in the R. M. of Eriksdale Agriculture District (the Agriculture District includes Eriksdale, Coldwell and St. Laurent) area managing approximately 44,917 cattle in 2001 of which 15,781 were beef and dairy cows. The majority of cattle produced locally are feeder cattle and are purchased by feedlots in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Ontario and the United States. Veterinary clinics are located in Lundar and Ashern, providing services for small and large animals. The R. M. of Eriksdale reported $7,282,337 in Farm Cash Receipts in 2000.
The local fishing industry is very active during the winter months. Commercial fishing on Lake Manitoba remains a major source of income for some residents. The fishermen of Eriksdale bring their catch to one of the local co‑op's which act as regional marketing agents for the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation. They pack and send the fish to Winnipeg for processing.
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Wikipedia