The Rural Municipality of Harrison is located in Manitoba's beautiful Parkland region. The R.M. is accessible by travelling down the Yellowhead Route (Provincial Road 16) until you come to its junction with Provincial Road 250. The peaceful communities of Sandy Lake and Newdale boast a strong sense of community and friendly residents. Harrison is definitely an excellent place to raise a family or retire to.
History
Named after Dr. Harrison (a member of parliament for the area in 1886), the municipality was incorporated in 1883. Throughout the early 1900s, wards in the municipality were divided up until the six wards and two unincorporated village districts of today eventually emerged.
Newdale's first location is not the same as it is today. Located about 5 km (3 miles) to the south of its present location, the community moved to its present location to be near the site of the rail line which passed through the area in 1885.
The Sandy Lake area was originally mapped out by land surveyors in 1880. With a large Ukrainian population immigrating into the region, by 1910 most of the available land around Sandy Lake had been taken.
Economic Base
The primary industry in the region is agriculture. Crops such as rye, wheat, oats, barley, canola and alfalfa find ideal growing conditions in the rich soils found in Harrison. The municipality also boasts several livestock operations.
The municipality encompasses a large quantity of farmland, making it a prime location for large-scale livestock operations, especially beef operations. Recreation and tourism is growing in Harrison, as well. The beaches, lakes and golf course draw tourists and visitors out, and help to support local businesses.
Major Attractions
Lakes in the R.M. of Harrison offer prime fishing in all seasons. Sandy Lake proves excellent boating and swimming, while also offering a quiet beach for tanning and family picnics. The municipality also boasts a nine-hole golf course, two campground sites and cabins. The TransCanada trail runs right through Sandy Lake. Located along the old CPR line, the trail is excellent for activities like hiking, snowshoing and cross-country skiing.
Snowmobiling, ice fishing, cross-country skiing and curling are just some of the many opportunities for recreation during winter. The area is also excellent for hunting both waterfowl and big game, such as deer and elk.
Sandy Lake has a strong sense of their Ukrainian heritage. The Ukrainian Heritage Museum tells the story of Ukrainian settlement in the area. Also, the Ukrainian Catholic and Orthodox churches in Sandy Lake are considered local landmarks. Sandy Lake is also a popular resort area for fishing, swimming and camping.
