The Rural Municipality of Rossburn is located 483 kilometres north west of Winnipeg, in Manitoba's Parkland Region. The municipality is located under the southern corner of Riding Mountain National Park along Provincial Trunk Highways 16 and 45.
This rural farming community lies 140 kilometres from Dauphin, the region's largest city, and 160 kilometres from Brandon, Manitoba's second largest city. The municipality surrounds the Town of Rossburn, and is also characterised by several small unincorporated villages.
History
The Rossburn area was first surveyed and mapped in 1850. The community's first settlers, however, did not arrive until 1879.
Early attractions to the area were large forests that provided fuel, heat, construction material, and timber for the logging industry. Meadowlands and high quality soil offered the promise of good agriculture and a supply of clean water and abundant wildlife, and made the rustic landscape seem that much more enjoyable.
As news of the wealth of this area spread back to the east, more and more settlers arrived to stake their claim. Local government was formed and the Municipality of Rossburn was incorporated in 1884. A second wave of immigration in 1899 brought settlers from Poland, Ukraine, and other parts of Eastern Europe.
At the turn of the century, the railway arrived in the region and furthered the development of area. In 1913, the Town of Rossburn split from the municipality and was incorporated as its own entity.
The first Rossburn District Hospital opened in the community in 1950, and a new healthcare facility was built in 1982. Hydro lines were routed to the community in 1938.
The landscape of the Rossburn area is rolling hills and valleys blanketed with wheat fields and forested bluffs. Elevation rises sharply to the Northeast as the terrain shifts to the forested uplands of Riding Mountain Park. Many lakes and rivers in the area offer opportunities for numerous recreational and sporting activities.
Economic Base
Mixed farming and ranching are the predominant economic activities in the Rossburn area. Cereal grains are widely grown, with some producers growing oilseeds like flax and canola. The rolling hills and treed areas provide an almost perfect area for beef production, as the cattle in the area outnumber the residents.
Many businesses and services are located adjacent to the municipality in the Town of Rossburn. The town is a local service centre for agriculture, as well as for retail shopping and professional services.
Major Attractions
Deep Lake, Arrow Lake, Rossman Resort, and the Birdtail Valley all offer fishing, boating, swimming and other water-sports activities. Campgrounds offer a safe and convenient place to stay while visiting, and many offer electrical hook-ups, water, and other amenities.
Just minutes from Rossburn's eastern boundary is the beautiful Riding Mountain National Park. The park and Clear Lake are protected natural wilderness areas that offer everything from a pampered resort stay to the ultimate adventure in backcountry hiking and camping.
For three days every summer, Rossburn becomes the "Quarter Horse Racing Capital of Manitoba". The race track in the Town of Rossburn attracts horses and owners from across Canada and the northern United States, and spectators from miles around for a weekend of exciting racing entertainment.
