The Rural Municipality of Rockwood is located in southern Manitoba, approximately 63 kilometres north of Manitoba's capital city, Winnipeg. Rockwood is located along Provincial Trunk Highway 7, which runs right through the municipality. The municipality is also located along PTH 17 and Provincial Road 236.
Teulon, Stonewall, and Stony Mountain are the largest urban centres in the municipality. Argyle, Balmoral, Gunton, and Komarno are other significant communities in Rockwood.
History
Rockwood was officially incorporated as a municipality in 1881. Many explorers, as well as, hunting and cart paths have crossed Rockwood throughout history.
Native tribes established well-traveled paths through the area that eventually became fur trading and cart trails used by settlers. The Faith Trail led from Winnipeg to Stony Mountain, and brought settlers into the region by ox-drawn Red River carts.
Stony Mountain, known as "Snake Indian Hills", was a significant area for settlers seeking refuge from the many floods that plagued the Red River Valley in the late 1700's and early 1800's.
The first recorded homestead in the area was that of James Isbister, who located in Stony Mountain in 1870.
Building upon centuries old cart trails, the railway opened up the region to settlement by connecting Teulon, Stonewall, Stony Mountain, Gunton and Balmoral to a direct line to Winnipeg.
The original municipality was known as Little Rockwood, since it encompassed only one township. After acquiring more land, the municipality became known as Rockwood.
Economic Base
Rockwood has a diverse economy formed by different industries and services that provide for the surrounding community and the rest of the world.
The municipality has established an agricultural presence with local farmers and cattle producers who rely on the Town of Teulon for supplies like machinery and crop inputs. Teulon also provides a market for many crops produced by local farmers. As a major urban centre in Rockwood, Teulon provides a wide array of business integral to residents in the northern section of the municipality. Over the years many small manufacturing firms have established themselves in Teulon.
Stonewall, with a population of approximately 4000, is one of Manitoba's fastest growing towns. Stonewall features a number of commercial, educational and medical services that suits the diverse needs of growing families. Stonewall boasts day care facilities, schools, a new hospital, year-round recreational facilities, low residential tax, and prime commercial space for rent. Stonewall, like Teulon is an integral agricultural service centre to local farmers.
The region's largest employer is the Rockwood Institution (Stony Mountain Penitentiary), which employs approximately 200 people. Bristol Aerospace, a prominent aerospace producer has a plant in Stony Mountain employing approximately 75 residents. Other prominent employers include Interlake Supply, a local auto wrecker and bodyshop, Rockwood Turkey Farm, and Charison Hatchery, which employs approximately 85 residents.
Major Attractions
Oak Hammock Marsh, located just 5 miles west of Stony Mountain, is an excellent place to take in much of Manitoba's cherished wildlife and many bird species. The marsh also provides a nice outing for picnics and school groups.
The Stonwall Quarry is one of the most popular spots in the municipality, and offers swimming, camping, a museum and historic tours. Located on the site of a what was formerly a limestone quarry, the park celebrates the importance that the quarry has played as a major employer and builder in the town. Goose Hunting, for all those avid hunters, is excellent in the municipality.
Do not miss Komarno's larger than life mosquito statue. The Argyle Museum is also a definite must see. Stony Mountain Penitentiary and Bristol Aerospace also provide guided tours.
Facilities - Recreation, Parks, Culture
The friendly people in each of Rockwood's communities, invite you to visit and partake in their many events and activities throughout the year.
Other Information
Did you know that Komarno (koo-mar-no)is Ukrainian for Mosquito?
The Interlake (and Manitoba in general) is notorious for having many of these pesky insects inundate the region every summer. Early Ukrainian and Slavic settlers weren't immune to these mosquitoes either. Celebrating this fact, the small village of Komarno created a larger-than-life size replica of Manitoba's "other" official bird!
