The The BeachesBeaches

Where are the Where are the Beaches?Beaches?

The Beaches are by The Beaches are by Lake Winnipeg.Lake Winnipeg.

Patricia Beach

Beaconia

Grand Beach

Grand Marais

Balsam Bay

Sunset Beach

Lakeshore Heights

They are at the They are at the northern tip of the northern tip of the

St. Clements St. Clements municipality. municipality.

The First The First SettlersSettlers

First Nations peoples were the first to live here.First Nations peoples were the first to live here.

Why Did They Why Did They Choose To Live Choose To Live Here?Here?There were a lot of fish in the muddy waters. There were a lot of fish in the muddy waters. The sandy beaches made it easy to land canoes.The sandy beaches made it easy to land canoes.

European European ExplorersExplorers

How did it get its How did it get its name?name?

La Verendrye was the first La Verendrye was the first European explorer to come here. European explorer to come here. The path he made while exploring The path he made while exploring was named the La Verendrye Trail.was named the La Verendrye Trail.The Beaches are along the La The Beaches are along the La Verendrye Trail.Verendrye Trail.

The name for the beaches came from La The name for the beaches came from La Vérendrye.Vérendrye.

He called the beaches Grand Marais, which He called the beaches Grand Marais, which means “Big Marsh” in French.means “Big Marsh” in French.

Immigration – Who Else Came to Live Immigration – Who Else Came to Live Here?Here?

The next group of people that came to the beaches The next group of people that came to the beaches were the Polish, Ukrainian, and Russian families.were the Polish, Ukrainian, and Russian families.

Then Hudson’s Bay Company men Then Hudson’s Bay Company men moved to the area with their Native moved to the area with their Native wives and children and built homes. wives and children and built homes.

They were called the Métis people.They were called the Métis people.

How Did How Did They Make They Make

Money?Money? They made money by They made money by

fishing and lumbering. fishing and lumbering.

In 1896 St. Jude’s Anglican Church In 1896 St. Jude’s Anglican Church was built.was built.

First BuildingsFirst Buildings

St. Jude’s Anglican ChurchSt. Jude’s Anglican Church

Grand BeachGrand BeachGrand Beach became Grand Beach became famous because of the famous because of the Canadian National Canadian National Railway. Railway. In 1916 a train track was In 1916 a train track was made from Winnipeg to made from Winnipeg to Grand Beach. Grand Beach. They built a large Dance They built a large Dance Pavilion along the shore.Pavilion along the shore.Dancing and partying went Dancing and partying went on every night.on every night.

Grand Beach Dance PavilionGrand Beach Dance Pavilion

Grand Beach Train StationGrand Beach Train Station

In 1950 the Dance Pavilion burned down.In 1950 the Dance Pavilion burned down.

Local Store In Local Store In Grand MaraisGrand Marais

There was even an adult size carousel to ride on.There was even an adult size carousel to ride on.

Many people built stores to sell Many people built stores to sell hotdogs, drinks, and bathing suits.hotdogs, drinks, and bathing suits.

Grand Beach

Balsam BayBalsam Bay

Balsam Bay is just south of Grand Beach. Balsam Bay is just south of Grand Beach.

Balsam Bay Church was built in 1920 ~ its Balsam Bay Church was built in 1920 ~ its name became St. Luke’s.name became St. Luke’s.

Balsam Bay…Balsam Bay…

The first schoolhouse was built in 1895.The first schoolhouse was built in 1895.

This schoolhouse burned down.This schoolhouse burned down.

The second schoolhouse burned down too.The second schoolhouse burned down too.

A third building was used from 1940 to 1960. A third building was used from 1940 to 1960.

After that, children were bussed to Walter Whyte After that, children were bussed to Walter Whyte Collegiate.Collegiate.

Balsam Bay SchoolBalsam Bay School

Patricia Beach and Patricia Beach and BeaconiaBeaconia

Patricia Beach and Beaconia Patricia Beach and Beaconia are south of Grand Beach. are south of Grand Beach.

They are separated by a They are separated by a water channel.water channel.

How did Beaconia get its How did Beaconia get its name?name?The name Beaconia came from a man named H. August The name Beaconia came from a man named H. August

Larson, a.k.a. “The Little Dane.” Larson, a.k.a. “The Little Dane.” He came to Beaconia in 1910. He came to Beaconia in 1910. He made money moving wood to Selkirk on his barge. He made money moving wood to Selkirk on his barge. He often came home at night and found it difficult to see the He often came home at night and found it difficult to see the shore. shore. He decided to build a beacon of light in the harbour to help He decided to build a beacon of light in the harbour to help him find his way home, and Beaconia became it’s name.him find his way home, and Beaconia became it’s name.

Stony Point School was built here but by Stony Point School was built here but by 2002 it was considered a fire hazard and 2002 it was considered a fire hazard and was burned down.was burned down.

Patricia Beach and Patricia Beach and Beaconia…Beaconia…

The Beaches The Beaches Today…Today…

Many tourists come to the beaches every year.Many tourists come to the beaches every year. Because the government wanted to protect the beaches, they made them Because the government wanted to protect the beaches, they made them

into a provincial park.into a provincial park. Grand Beach Provincial Park is separated into the east and west beach. Grand Beach Provincial Park is separated into the east and west beach. There is a campground near the east beach and play structures and stores There is a campground near the east beach and play structures and stores

by the west beach.by the west beach. In the winter, visitors enjoy cross-country skiing, curling, skating, ice In the winter, visitors enjoy cross-country skiing, curling, skating, ice

fishing, and snowmobiling.fishing, and snowmobiling.

This presentation brought to you by the St. This presentation brought to you by the St. Clements Heritage Advisory Committee!Clements Heritage Advisory Committee!

- ““preserving our community’s heritage one preserving our community’s heritage one story at a time” -story at a time” -

Presentation Created by Jared LabergePresentation Created by Jared Laberge

Information Compiled by Donna SutherlandInformation Compiled by Donna Sutherland

The The EndEnd