Jules Xavier

Shilo Stag

There might not be a Tim Hortons in this quaint community 45-plus minutes west of CFB Shilo, but if you need an enormous apple fritter or fresh glazed donuts for your morning coffee — look no further than Minary Homestyle Bakery located on First Street.

Moreover, in the past you would have had to keep an eye out for wandering peacocks in Souris’ downtown area, especially during the warmer months, as these majestic-looking birds used to navigate the sidewalks and roads.

This changed in 2022, when those birds were shipped to Saskatchewan, and a new flock was introduced to the community. They are not as adventuresome as the previous flock.

You can’t miss the colourful plumage or noise these birds make. The peacock is part of the community fabric, and is considered to be a bird of safe guarding and protection.

According to Souris’ tourism booklet, peacocks have earned distinction as honorary ambassadors of the community and are allowed to roam free about town. But during the colder days of late fall and frigid temperatures of winter, peacocks stay cozy in a barn.

The community added another statue to go with the moose, an artist installed a large peacock at the entrance to the nearby campground.

For those feeling confined during the winter months, why not hop in the car and go on a trip to explore this community, where you can purchase a dozen giant apple fritters and homemade meat pies from the local bakery on the main drag.

A diverse community with strong roots in railway and agriculture industries dating back to the late 1800s, Souris boasts a population of more than 2,500. In the hinterland of this prairie town there are numerous multi-generational family farms which still operate century-old farms.

Souris is also known for its main attraction, a swinging bridge over the Souris River, with a new design which incorporates its historic concept built with new technology.

Listed among Manitoba’s 54 star tourist attractions, the swinging bridge has the distinction of being Canada’s longest. It was initially built in 1904 by Squire Sowden — he wanted to improve access to town from his land on the east side of the river to make it more enticing for potential buyers.

In the past 117 years, the swinging bridge has been rebuilt and reinforced. Canada Post issued a stamp in 2005 showing the Souris swinging bridge.

Damaged by a cable break in 1961 and swept away by the Manitoba floods of ’76, the swinging bridge with the springy boards is a place residents will always take friends during visits first when exploring the community.

Today’s bridge was completed in the summer of 2013, with a new design which allowed Souris to once again reclaim bragging rights as having Canada’s longest suspension bridge spanning the Souris River at 604 feet.

During the 2011 flood, the bridge was cut down to prevent it from breaking again and damaging the dikes put in place on the east side of the river. Soldiers from CFB Shilo helped out with the final construction on the bridge prior to re-opening.

“The new bridge is much more sturdy, wheelchair accessible,” said local Kendra Minary. “But definitely does not have as much ‘swing’ as the old one, which a lot of people miss.”

While it remains the town’s most famous landmark, there’s more history in the community, most of it within walking distance of each other in the downtown area.

Make sure you visit the Plum Museum and Visitor Centre, featuring a bull moose adjacent to the front door of the plum-coloured venue built in 1883 — it remains Souris’ oldest public building.

Originally operated as St. Luke’s Anglican Church, the building was decommissioned in 1989 and later relocated to its current spot off First Street South. Once moved it was restored to its original Victorian colours of plum and chocolate brown.

Besides previously attracting a muster of peacocks during the warmer months, this building now acts as a tourism information venue, and sells souvenirs and light refreshments. In the off-season, this venue can be rented for private functions, or perhaps the backdrop for a wedding.

Nearby you can then visit the Souris Railway Museum, where you can experience first-hand a diesel engine simulator which was once used to train CPR engineers.

Did you know CP Rail arrived in Souris in 1890, which helped pave the way for the town’s growth because it became an important rail terminal on the prairies.

The museum and nearby CPR rail car stands as a tribute to the railway industry. The exhibits include rare historical records which date back to 1891 as well as personal memorabilia and CPR uniforms.

The museum’s existence can be attributed to the discovery of an old rail pay car found at an antique ship. Opened in the summer of 2011, a diesel locomotive simulator was install four years later. This item was donated by Fort Worth, Texas-based New York Air Brake Company. It was previously leased by CPR in Calgary, where railway engineers trained on it.

Nearby on Crescent Avenue East, you can step back in time by visiting Hillcrest Museum, which is adjacent and in view of the swinging bridge. The castle-like design, reminiscent of English architecture, was built in 1910 and was originally called Squire Hall.

Commissioned by Fred Sowden, son of Souris’ founder, it was designed by local architect Carter Brindle. This yellowish building features an etched glass entrance, unique stained glass windows, ornate wooden staircase, pressed tin ceilings and original woodworks. Balconies offer a great view of the Souris River. The museum operates from late June to early September.

Some of the exhibits on display include a CP Rail caboose outside, memorabilia from those who fought in the First and Second World Wars, period displays showcasing life in the early 1900s, and an extensive mounted butterfly collection.

For more information visit www.sourishillcrestmuseum.ca

The swinging bridge is not the only thing Souris is famous for — why not explore the town’s agate pits which are North America’s largest deposit of semi-precious gems, yielding agates, jasper, epidote and petrified wood.

You need to visit the Rock Shop first, where collectors are asked to obtain a pit permit which will allow for an escorted excursion into one of the best collection sites in this province. Initially worked for gravel back in the 1930s, today the 12-acre site on private property offers up fossils and other unique specimens which have been unearthed, including teeth of ice-age mammoths and horses.

With the advent of summer 2023, and you enjoy the great outdoors, perhaps go camping at Victoria Park campground and make use of a spectacular outdoor water park.

And before you leave, make sure you purchase your glazed donuts, apple or blueberry fritters and other baked goods from Minary Homestyle Bakery. Tell the staff you are from CFB Shilo.

For additional information about Souris, and what it offers visitors, visit www.sourismanitoba.com

Kendra Minary offers up one of local bakery’s giant apple fritters at the First Street family business — called Bigfoot. During the winter months, the Souris river is popular with skaters and shinny players, while the popular tourist attraction is the swing bridge is used seasonally by locals and tourists alike. The downtown area, within walking distance, has a number of popular tourist spots, including a life-size moose. Peacocks are also allowed to navigate the community, but a new flock is not as adventuresome as the previous flock taken to Saskatchewan. Photos Jules Xavier/Shilo Stag & Kendra Minary