Rural Municipality of East St. Paul | |
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East St. Paul in Manitoba | |
Coordinates: 49°58′38″N 97°00′37″W / 49.97722°N 97.01028°WCoordinates: 49°58′38″N 97°00′37″W / 49.97722°N 97.01028°W | |
Incorporation | October 23, 1915 |
Area | |
• Land | 42.10 km2 (16.25 sq mi) |
Population (2011) | |
• Total | 9,046 |
• Density | 214.9/km2 (557/sq mi) |
Time zone | CST (UTC-6) |
• Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
Website | http://www.eaststpaul.com/ |
East St. Paul is a rural municipality in Manitoba, Canada. It is located north-east of and adjacent to the city of Winnipeg, and is part of the Winnipeg Metropolitan Area. The municipality was formed on 3 November 1915 when the municipality of St. Paul (1888-1914) was subdivided into West St. Paul and East St. Paul, with the Red River acting as the dividing line. It encompasses 41 square kilometres (16 sq mi).
East St. Paul includes the communities of Birds Hill, North Hill, Glengarry, River East Estates, Whidbey Harbour, Pritchard Farm Estates, and Silverfox Estates. Historic Henderson Highway follows the Red River through East St. Paul areas settled by the Red River Settlers. The Red River Floodway diverts part of the Red River's flow around the city of Winnipeg and through East St. Paul and discharges it back into the Red River North of the dam in Lockport. The Trans Canada Trail and the Duff Roblin Parkway Trail also pass through East St. Paul.
East St. Paul has a gated community for seniors and new home development is underway at Countryside Crossing, By The Park, Prairie Ridge, Southlands Drive and Village Centre. East St. Paul contains greenhouses and numerous small farms, primarily of the market gardening variety, as well as natural forest, creek and pond areas.
The population growth of East St. Paul has slowed significantly in recent years. Like other surrounding communities, the municipality has historically attracted people from Winnipeg and elsewhere due to its close proximity to Winnipeg, the larger properties, lower rates of property tax, and semi-rural atmosphere.
In 1880, the Rural Municipality of St. Paul was established, with offices located on the west side of the Red. The Red River was a barrier that made doing business an inconvenience, as those on the east side had to travel over water to the west side. There were no bridges in the vicinity; the closest being Winnipeg's Redwood Bridge about nine kilometers to the south. The population was growing: as more families arrived to settle in the area, community spirit grew. On the east side of the river, schools and businesses were started. The community became diversified with industry ranging from market gardening to general stores. On November 3, 1915 the RMs of East St. Paul and West St. Paul officially received royal ascent. The first meeting of the RM of East St. Paul took place on January 4, 1916 in a room in secretary-treasurer Walter Gorham’s house at 2051 Roseneath Avenue. In 1951, a one-story building was erected at 2127 Birds Hill Road. In 1980, the current municipal office complex was built at 3021 Birds Hill Road.