The beautiful Town of Gretna is located on the fertile agricultural lands of south-central Manitoba. Gretna is situated along Provincial Trunk Highway 30, and is only 125 kilometres southwest of Manitoba's capital city, Winnipeg. The Town is located right on the International border with the United States, and is the southern most community in the Pembina Valley. With its fertile soils, Gretna is truly part of southern Manitoba's agricultural heartland.
History
Gretna was incorporated as a town in 1886. The area around Gretna was home to roaming buffalo herds and fur trapping activities before large immigrant settlement.
The area around Gretna attracted people as far back as the early 1800's. Gretna was established at a border crossing known as, "Smuggler"s Point", to help stop the flow of undeclared goods smuggled over the border by settlers and fur trappers.
After establishing the 49th parallel as the International border, Gretna became an important customs centre and border town for both the Canadian and American governments. Like most towns, Gretna's growth was very much due to the laying down of railroad tracks by the CPR in the area. Wanting to create a direct and quick system of grain transfer through the prairies, the CPR encouraged the creation of large grain elevators in the area. The Ogilvie Milling Company, was one of the first and most prominent private companies in Gretna around the turn of the century.
Complicated land-transfers between businesses and farmers, as well as its position as a prominent border town, made life in Gretna in the early 1900's interesting and exciting.
Economic Base
Gretna is home to western Canada's oldest private co-ed school, the Mennonite Collegiate Institute. The collegiate is a prominent employer, and employs approximately 24 local residents. The Rhineland School division (with a public school in Gretna) is also a very prominent employer, employing approximately 15 staff.
Employing approximately 30 employees, Perma Care is Gretna's largest employer. Perma Care produces plastic and fiberglass products meant for exporting to larger urban centres. The Town also offers residents and visitors a standard range of services, such as a credit union, a grocery store, restaurants, appliance repair and plumbing, and painting services.
The Canadian and American governments also maintain immigration and customs offices in Gretna. Entrepreneurs looking for a place to operate businesses that export to the United States will find the development potentials in Gretna very promising.
Major Attractions
While in Gretna, stop off and visit the historic "Peace Bell". The Peace Bell is a 100-year-old bell, which was installed in the community in 1967. The Peace Bell is located on Provincial Trunk Highway 30, just north of the town. A commemorative cairn also marks the prominent settling of early Mennonite pioneers in the region, in the late 1870's.
The famous Trans Canada Trail passes just north of Gretna. Located along the abandoned CPR track extending to Altona, the trail provides an excellent opportunity for walkers, cyclists and (in winter) skiers to appreciate the beauty of the prairies surrounding Gretna.
Facilities - Recreation, Parks, Culture
The Mennonite Collegiate Saengerfest (Music Festival) in June, is a special event for music lovers to come and appreciate the talents of many local musicians. Also, Gretna hosts the "Hot Spot" festival, a local family and sporting event in the last weekend of August that helps bring together both young and old in the community.
