Morden History and Heritage Information

Morden has a very interesting history. The following links will give you all the information you could want to know - just click on the link that interests you most.

Heritage Series Brochures

The Town of Morden celebrates 125 years of history in 2007. The following new "Heritage Series
Brochures" have been produced to make the history of the Town available to everyone. Printed
copies of these brochures are available from the Civic Centre Office or you are welcome to
download the attached pdf documents. These "Heritage Series Brochures" were made possible
by a grant of 50% from Manitoba Culture Heritage & Tourism and the Council's support for the
remaining 50% of the cost. An additional four brochures will be available by January 2008. We
hope you enjoy reading this information and look forward to your comments.

Note: All links are PDF downloads (ranging from 11 KB - 2.5 MB). You need Adobe Reader to open these documents.

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  1. Pioneers
  2. Building A Community
  3. Morden Mansions
  4. People
  5. Business
  6. Schools
  7. Entertainment
  8. The Coming of the Railroad
  9. Morden Experimental Farm
  10. Health Care
  11. Recreation
  12. Fire & Police Services

Heritage Buildings Information

Morden has one of Manitoba’s finest collections of late nineteenth and early twentieth century architecture. The variety of building types, notable architectural styles, interesting building materials all combine to make Morden a textbook example of the trends that defined how many Manitoba communities developed. The Town’s exquisite Queen Anne style houses – of wood and more impressively those of stone, with their romantic towers, dainty details and lively colours – have become Morden’s heritage trademark. But the community also has fine examples of other residential styles from the turn of the century – Italianate, Second Empire and Gothic Revival.

The following are some of the heritage buildings in Morden. The photos and information presented are with the consent of the owners. Click on the photo icon for a larger photo and details about each heritage building.

30 Stephen Street 455 Thornhill St 145 - 10th Street 254 Stephen St 645 Thornhill St 168 - 10th Street 275 Stephen St 142 - 6th Street 145 - 11th Street 290 Stephen St 151 - 6th Street 163 - 11th Street 313 Stephen Street 130 - 7th Street 215 - 12th St 321 Stephen St 141 - 7th Street 140 Nelson St 322 Stephen Street 202 Nelson St 160 Nelson St 333 Stephen St 131 - 8th Street 171 Nelson St 339 Stephen St 164 - 8th St 180-NelsonStreet 351-357 Stephen St 167 - 8th St 202 Nelson St 352 Stephen St 180 - 8th Street 303 North Railway 501 Stephen St 301 Wardrop St 522 Stephen St 12 Frances Drive 577 Stephen St 586 Stephen St 619 Stephen Street

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History of Morden Dam

In 1941 the P.F.R.A. constructed a dam across the Dead Horse Creek, creating a man-made lake.

In 1953 the P.F.R.A. modified and raised the dam across the Dead Horse Creek creating a lake covering 2490 feet of water with a centre line length of approximately 8700 feet, now know as Lake Minnewasta.

In 1981 the P.F.R.A. under a Federal-Provincial Agreement raised the level of the Morden dam by nine feet and raised the spillway by seven feet as well as lowering the water supply intake to the Morden Water Treatment Plant. Storage capacity of the reservoir was thus increased from 2,100 acre-feet to 3,100 acre-feet and the dependable annual yield increased from 430 acre-feet to 880 acre-feet. This would now provide enough water to meet the projected requirements of the Town of Morden for many years to come.

On Wednesday, July 14th, 1982 a dedication plaque was unveiled by DREE Minister Herb Gray and Manitoba Resources Minister - Al Mackling. Also present for the ceremony were Frank Strauss, representing the general contractor and Morden Mayor Max Friesen.

Historical Sites

  • Mountain City Cairn is located 3 miles South of Morden on the South side of the Stanley Park Road. In 1884 the residents of Mountain City started moving their houses, schools, churches, post office, hotel and store to Morden.
  • Nelson Cairn marking the location of the village called Nelsonville is located 5 miles North on Hwy #432 and 3 miles West on road 18N. The whole village moved and became the Town of Morden when the railway chose its route through Morden.
  • "Pinancewaywining" Post Cain - is an Indian name meaning “on the way down to the ford”.
    This is located at the entrance to Morden Park.
  • The province's largest cottonwood tree grows in Confederation Park where you will also find
    the Cenotaph. This is at the corner of Stephen Street and Ninth Street.
  • Gravesite of Alvey Morden, the founder of the Town is located at the Hillside Cemetery. There
    is a plaque to recognize him. Enter the cemetery and drive to the top of the hill. The
    gravesite is on the south east corner of the cemetery.