Bowsman

Bowsman is an unincorporated urban community in the Municipality of Minitonas – Bowsman within the Canadian province of Manitoba that held village status prior to January 1, 2015.[1] The community is 16 kilometres north of the Town of Swan River.[2] Bowsman was originally incorporated as a village in 1949.[2]

Bowsman
Bowsman
Location of Bowsman in Manitoba
Coordinates: 52.1409°N 101.1226°W / 52.1409; -101.1226
CountryCanada
ProvinceManitoba
Incorporated1949
Population
 (2006)
 • Total315
 

History
Bowsman School, 1914

J.B. Tyrell, a surveyor, came up with the name "Bowsman" after the first man out of the bow of the boat who touched the land. Bowsman was originally known as "Bowsman River" because of the river.[3][1] In 1952 the name was shortened to Bowsman.[3]

Bowsman completed their first municipal sewer lines and sewage treatment plant in October 1966. The project connected the majority of homes in town to the town sewer lines. For many people, this was the day that their outdoor pit toilet or "biffy" was replaced by an indoor flush toilet. Trucks hauled the discarded wooden biffies to make a large pile near the new sewage plant.[4]

On New Year's Eve, December 31, 1966, residents gathered to celebrate the beginning of Canada's Centennial year and the arrival of community sewer service by burning the pile of their old outhouses.[4][5]

A monument to commemorate the day of the "Biffy Burning" was dedicated on Canada Day, 1970.[4][6] Bowsman's postal code was changed to R0L 0H0 which stands for "Roll Our Loyal Out Houses Over" in honour of this event.[2]

Economy

The economy is supported by agriculture and logging. Currently the community offers a hotel with restaurant and lounge, K–8 school, hockey arena, curling rink, library, post office.[2]

References
  1. "Manitoba Communities: Bowsman (Unincorporated Village, Municipality of Minitonas-Bowsman)". www.mhs.mb.ca. Manitoba Historical Society. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  2. "Municipality of Minitonas-Bowsman - History of Bowsman". www.minitonas-bowsman.ca. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  3. "Geographical Names of Manitoba" (PDF). Government of Manitoba. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  4. Goldsborough, Gordon (2018). More abandoned Manitoba : rivers, rails and ruins. Winnipeg: Great Plains Publications. pp. 38–47. ISBN 9781773370026.
  5. Stevenson, Lorraine (9 November 2018). "Local author offers new rural tales in, 'More Abandoned Manitoba' book". Manitoba Co-operator. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  6. "Historic Sites of Manitoba: Biffie Burn Monument (Bowsman, Municipality of Minitonas-Bowsman)". www.mhs.mb.ca. Manitoba Historical Society. Retrieved 3 March 2020.


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