The Village of Binscarth is located along Provincial Trunk Highway 16 and is located approximately 167 kilometres northwest of Brandon, Manitoba's second largest city. Binscarth is located in the Parkland region and is situated 16 kilometres south from the Town of Russell. The geographic region surrounding Binscarth features rolling expanses of farmland that help sustain local agricultural crops. Farming in the area surrounding Binscarth involves a mix of livestock (such as cattle and swine) and agricultural crops such as canola and barley.
History
Binscarth was established by the Province of Manitoba and Northwestern Railway in 1886, and incorporated in 1917 as a village. By 1890, Binscarth boasted two hotels, a church, school, and two stores to support its growing population. The Binscarth Express was established in 1910 to serve the village's residents, and ran until 1965. By 1964, Binscarth had a fully operational water and sewer system that supported its growing population.
Economic Base
Binscarth's residents are mostly employed in local service industries such as restaurants, gift shops, clothing and grocery stores. The village also has a strong construction and hardware industry that features electrical contractors, heating/air conditioning specialists and a lumber/hardware store. The village's largest employer is "Arbuckles", a local dining and gift store establishment.
Major Attractions
The Binscarth & District Gordon Orr Memorial Museum (open in July and August), boasts a large collection of Native artifacts, a general store, summer kitchen, chapel, school room and a large display of farm machinery such as a Massey Harris tractor, a binder, a seed drill, and a 6 H.P. International Engine dating from 1905. The museum is also one of only a few museums to boast an extinct bison skull.
Facilities - Recreation, Parks, Culture
The Binscarth park and pool (located just outside of the village's boundary) offers a host of fun activities for the summer months. The park features the largest outdoor pool on the Yellowhead highway, camping and picnicking facilities, minigolf, beach volleyball, and 4.5 kilometres of scenic hiking and cross-country trails.
Other Information
The name "Binscarth" comes from the words "bin", which means farm, and "scarth" which was the name of one of the earliest families in the area?
