The R.M. of Lorne finds itself situated in the gently rolling hills and fertile lands of southern Manitoba. It is bordered on the east by the Pembina Hills, by the Tiger Hills on the north and west, and the Pembina Valley on the south. The Pembina River drains a series of lakes including the popular Swan Lake to the south. The very progressive Swan Lake First Nation Reserve also lies completely within the boundaries of the municipality.
History
The Municipality of Lorne came into being in 1880. The first settlers, who were farmers, came to the area in 1878. The many lakes in Lorne provided an abundance of wildlife and berries needed to sustain the early homesteaders. Paul Kane, the famous artist, mentions the swans on the lake in his 1858 works. (His son also named Paul was married at St. Leon in 1885)
St. Leon and St. Alphonse churches are the oldest churches in the community, and are still used today. Historically, the La Verendrye Trail of 1742-1743 and the Yellow Quill Trail met the trail of Alexander Henry very close to where the present highways 34 and 23 currently intersect.
Economic Base
Lorne is a farm service centre. The main crops are cereal grains such as canola, flax and some sunflowers. Hemp is also being grown in the municipality. Other industries in the R.M. include welding ships, potato farms, dairy farms, hog barns, poultry barns, raising of livestock, PMU farms, concrete, gravel, printing and graphics companies. Lorne has many qualified trades people in its growing building industry.
Major Attractions
The Tiger Hills Arts Association includes many artists from this area in their plays and supper theatre presentations. There are many artists, crafters, authors, musicians, dance bands and composers in the municipality and surrounding areas. The Bruxelles Brass Band celebrated their centennial at the 1999 Gathering of Nations. This festival showcases the foods, culture and entertainment found in the municipality of Lorne and neighboring communities.
Sporting facilities include skating, curling, hockey rinks, Belgian Bowling Alleys and baseball diamonds. Local school gymnasiums also feature basketball and volleyball courts.
Facilities - Recreation, Parks, Culture
We have a real mosaic of nationalities and religions. Our communities boast 11 places of worship, 15 cemeteries, eight friendship centres and seven community halls.
The Rural Municipality of Lorne is a very desirable place to live and bring up a family. It provides all the services, qualified professionals and recreational needs of a growing community. You will find that the R.M. of Lorne is an excellent place to visit, stay and live! (Yvette Brandt)
