The Town of Neepawa is located along the Yellowhead Highway 16 in the Province's Westman Region. The community is located 45 minutes northeast of Brandon, the region's largest centre, and 2 hours northwest of Winnipeg, the provincial capital. Neepawa is the Cree word for "plenty", and that image is symbolized by the town logo, a Cornucopia. The "Land of Plenty" flourishes in and around Neepawa.
History
When the Province of Manitoba was established in 1870, the Neepawa area lay within what was then known as "The Northwest Territories", just to the west of the postage stamp province. During the next 30 years, a wave of settlers descended upon the area. The feverish activity established the framework on which the present day community was built. The first settlers came from the British Isles and groups of Eastern European settlers soon followed. The most notable of these was the Hun's Valley Settlement, a colony of Polish and Hungarian settlers.
In 1881, the western boundary of Manitoba was extended to its present location, and Neepawa became part of the province.
The residents of Neepawa consider their town one of the most beautiful in the province. They may be right, as the community has been awarded Manitoba's "Most Beautiful Town Award" more often than any other community. Neepawa's streets are lined with trees and beautiful beds of flowers, and the town has been named the "World Lily Capital".
The landscape around Neepawa is almost as beautiful. The rolling hills draped in golden wheat fields make for some of the most picturesque settings in the region. Stands of trees and winding streams only add to the landscape, which to many is a postcard waiting to happen.
Economic Base
The economics of Neepawa and the region are strongly based in many aspects of agriculture. The rolling fields in the area support many types of crops and livestock operations. Neepawa serves as a major agricultural service centre for many of the producers in the region.
Neepawa is also famous the world over for another aspect of its agriculture. Growers in Neepawa produce some of the finest lilies in the world. These beautiful flowers are shipped directly from Neepawa to many of the major international floral markets. This is what has earned the town the title of "world lily capital".
As well as being an agricultural centre, Neepawa's businesses serve as a shopping and retail centre for much of the area's residents. Neepawa provides almost all of the expected retail and professional services in its bustling downtown area. Because of its beautiful location, Neepawa also attracts a number of tourists throughout the year.
Major Attractions
Among many events held regularly in Neepawa, the Annual Lilly Festival is the largest and most popular. In July of each year, the town hosts scores of people who arrive to take in the beauty of the famous Neepawa flowers. Many community groups get involved in the festival, putting on such events as pancake breakfasts, children's activities, arts and crafts displays and workshops, a classic car show, bus and walking tours, and of course, the ever popular flowers themselves.
The lengthy history of the community adds more attraction to the town. The community is home to many beautiful buildings, some dating back over one hundred years. Many of these historic buildings and homes are included in self-guided tours through Neepawa's streets.
Many parks and green spaces add to the beauty of the town. For the sports minded individual, Neepawa has many different sporting venues for both winter and summer sports. The Neepawa Golf and Country Club, with its lush grass greens, is described by many as one of the most beautiful rural courses in Manitoba.
The Beautiful Plains Museum, located in the old railway station, houses many interesting local artifacts including a Ukrainian Village, sports memorabilia and a collection of wartime pieces.
Other Information
Another section of the museum is dedicated to one of the area's most famous past residents. The nearby Riverside Cemetery is home to the "Stone Angel", the inspiration behind the famous book of the same name, by recognized author Margaret Laurence. Margaret Laurence spent part of her life here in Neepawa, and the historic Margaret Laurence home is included in the scenic walking tour.
