The Rural Municipality of Gilbert Plains is situated between the Duck and Riding Mountains of Manitoba. The rural farming community sits along Provincial Trunk Highway 5 and Provincial Road 274, and is approximately 360 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, the provincial capital. Part of the Parkland Region of the province, Gilbert Plains is also about 35 kilometres west of Dauphin, the region's largest centre. The R.M. of Gilbert Plains surrounds the incorporated Town of Gilbert Plains, a small urban community that services the rural areas nearby.
History
In the fall of 1884, the son of a Scottish Hudson Bay trader rode over the Riding Mountain on horseback and arrived on what is know known as the Gilbert Plain. He found a native man named Gilbert Ross living with his wife in a small log house on the plain, and the trader quickly fell in love with the area. The next summer, he returned to "Gilbert's Plain" and traded his pony for the farmstead, becoming the first European settler to the area. The region had become well settled by 1900 when the railroad first arrived in the area. The trains brought more people, and the population of the fertile little plain grew. In May, the area was officially divided into six wards, and the municipal government formed.
Economic Base
The area around Gilbert Plains has some of the most fertile farmland in the province. The landscape of the area is that of a gently rolling plain with many shallow valleys and depressions. Farming is the mainstay of the local economy, with producers growing large amounts of cereal grain and oilseeds, as well as, some specialty crops and livestock operations. Agriculture is the main component of the local economy, and many businesses in town provide supplies and services to local farmers. The area has some small and medium manufactures and minor industries, but the major focus of most is agriculture. Tourism also plays a role in the economy. Riding Mountain National Park and Duck Mountain Provincial Park are some of Manitoba's most popular recreational facilities, drawing thousands of tourists and visitors to the area each year.
Major Attractions
Whether you are in the Gilbert Plains community for a short visit or an extended stay, there is no shortage of things to do. A scenic and challenging 18-hole golf course plays along the banks of the Valley River, adjacent to a beautiful public park. Also in the municipality, is a provincially and nationally designated historic site that contains the oldest and most complete set of farm buildings, which were constructed according to the traditions of the Corpathian Mountain Region of the Ukraine. As well, the R.M. boasts kilometres of snowmobile trails, hiking and cross-country ski trails. Several other recreational facilities are located within the boundaries of the Town of Gilbert Plains only moments away. The hills, lakes and wildlife in the area make the community popular with all types of outdoors enthusiasts from hunters and fishers to birdwatchers and photography buffs. The national park at Riding Mountain, only a short drive from Gilbert Plains, is a vacationer's dream with all major facilities and many activities available.
Other Information
During the month of July each year, The Rural Municipality of Gilbert Plains holds its largest annual festival. The Gilbert Plains/Grandview Fair organised by both communities, is an exciting weekend filled with activities. The three-day event includes a parade, light horse show, community dance, exhibition hall, petting zoo, midway, hardball tournament, tractor pedal-pull, chariot and chuckwagon races, and a heavy horse pull. The weekend is capped off with a professional rodeo. The combined fair is the highlight of many residents' busy summers.
