The Town of Gladstone is located in the Central Plains Region of Manitoba. Gladstone is 150 kilometres west of the capital, Winnipeg, and 100 kilometres east of Brandon, the regions largest centre. The town is situated along Provincial Trunk Highway 16, and the Yellowhead Route at the junction of Highway 34 and is near the intersection of the CP and CN railroads. Gladstone is 300 kilometres from the geographic centre of North America.
History
The Gladstone area was first settled in 1872. At that time the community was known as Palestine. A year later, the first public school was built and the settlement began to grow.
During the mid-1870's, the settlers faced difficult times due to the depression as well as, crop devastation by insects. Businesses began to grow again in 1879, as the economy recovered and the local newspaper went into print. The next year, telegraph services were brought to Gladstone providing services to its residents. Gladstone is famous for the "Third Crossing" of the Whitemud River in the 1870's as pioneers blazed the trail to open up the west for expansion.
Gladstone, officially incorporated in 1882, was named in honour of William E. Gladstone, the Prime Minister of Great Britain at the time. The first mayor was Peter MacGregor, and population at that time stood at 900 souls. Gladstone served as the "Gateway to the West" via rail and other transportation routes.
Today, Gladstone is synonymous with "Happy Rock" as the jolly statue of the same name overlooks the town's current 848 residents.
The area around Gladstone is mainly flat or gently rolling agricultural plain. At one time, buffalo roamed the tall grass prairie, but today cattle and other livestock graze the pastures between rich fields and crops.
Economic Base
Agriculture is the major industry in the area with major crops such as wheat, canola and barley. Many town businesses provide essential supplies and services to the area farmers. Diversification in the form of forage crops and nutraceuticals is being explored, as a potential export market exists that would strengthen the local economy.
The town and surrounding area have also put hours of work into the field of biotechnology and the ever-increasing importance of sustainable development in agriculture.
Gladstone also serves as a small shopping and retail centre to residents of the surrounding communities.
Major Attractions
Only 15 kilometres to the north of Gladstone, naturalists and wildlife enthusiasts alike appreciate an area known as, "The Big Grass marsh Refuge". The marsh was the first Ducks Unlimited project in Canada in 1938.
Recently, development is taking place on a natural wildlife viewing area near Jackfish Lake located within the marsh. The numbers of birds that pass through the area in the spring and fall are incredible, and avid outdoorsmen from all over the world is familiar with what the region has to offer.
Gladstone also plays host to the Annual Fair and Rodeo in August, and a winter festival in late February. During the summer months, visitors can stay at Gladstone's scenic Williams Park, which include all the amenities necessary to make the most demanding camper comfortable.
Guests and residents will also enjoy an afternoon spent chipping around on the town's well-manicured nine-hole golf course. The golf and country club is complete with lush grass greens and a clubhouse, in a quaint natural setting.
Facilities - Recreation, Parks, Culture
Gladstone's Williams Park is a must-see for tourists and locals alike. The park offers 31 full-service camping sites and 20 non-serviced sites.
The campground has one large outdoor kitchen facility that features electricity/water plus bar-b-que and fire pit.
The campground is adjacent to 3 ball diamonds, tennis court/skateboard park, heated outdoor swimming pool, and children's play structures. A curling rink and skating rink, both with artificial ice, are also located adjacent to the park.
There is an extensive walking trail that originates in the campground and follows that banks of the Whitemud River.
