Morden, Manitoba
| Morden | ||
|---|---|---|
| City | ||
| City of Morden | ||
| ||
| Motto: See History Unfold | ||
  Morden Location of Morden in Manitoba | ||
| Coordinates: 49°11′31″N 98°06′02″W / 49.19194°N 98.10056°WCoordinates: 49°11′31″N 98°06′02″W / 49.19194°N 98.10056°W | ||
| Country | Canada | |
| Province | Manitoba | |
| Region | Pembina Valley | |
| Rural Municipality | Stanley | |
| Established | 1882 | |
| Incorporated |
1895 (village) 1903 (town) 2012 (city) | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Ken Wiebe | |
| • Governing Body | Morden City Council | |
| • MP (Portage—Lisgar) | Candice Bergen (CPC) | |
| • MLA (Morden-Winkler) | Cameron Friesen (PC) | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 12.44 km2 (4.80 sq mi) | |
| Population (2011) | ||
| • Total | 7,812 (9th) | |
| • Density | 401/km2 (1,040/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | CST (UTC-6) | |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) | |
| Website |
www | |
Morden is a city located in the Pembina Valley region of southern Manitoba, Canada near the United States border. It is about 11 km (6.8 mi) west of the neighbouring city of Winkler. Morden, which is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Stanley, is the second largest city in Canada's Pembina Valley region. The city is located south of the Winnipeg Capital Region.
History
Originally called Cheval, Morden was founded 1882 when the Canadian Pacific Railway built a railroad line through what is now Morden. The Mort Cheval Creek intersected the railway at what was called Cheval. This spot became a popular resting place as it was ideal to provide water for drinking and locomotives. The spot was renamed to Morden and incorporated as a municipality on January 1, 1882.[1] The Manitoba government granted Morden town status in 1903 and later city status in 2012.[2]
Climate
Morden has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 3a[3]) with hot summers and cold winters. The average high in July is 25.6 °C (78.1 °F) the average low is 14.3 °C (57.7 °F).[4] The average high in January is −10.0 °C (14.0 °F) and the average low is −19.1 °C (−2.4 °F).[4] The highest temperature ever recorded in Morden was 111 °F (43.9 °C) on 11 July 1936.[4] The coldest temperature ever recorded was −42.0 °C (−43.6 °F) on 16 January 1993.[4]
| Climate data for Morden CDA, 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1904–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 13.9 (57) |
14.4 (57.9) |
28.3 (82.9) |
36.5 (97.7) |
42.2 (108) |
40.6 (105.1) |
43.9 (111) |
40.6 (105.1) |
40.0 (104) |
33.5 (92.3) |
24.4 (75.9) |
17.8 (64) |
43.9 (111) |
| Average high °C (°F) | −10.0 (14) |
−6.3 (20.7) |
−0.3 (31.5) |
10.6 (51.1) |
19.3 (66.7) |
23.4 (74.1) |
25.6 (78.1) |
25.6 (78.1) |
19.2 (66.6) |
10.9 (51.6) |
−0.8 (30.6) |
−8.3 (17.1) |
9.1 (48.4) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −14.6 (5.7) |
−10.7 (12.7) |
−4.3 (24.3) |
4.9 (40.8) |
12.7 (54.9) |
17.6 (63.7) |
20.0 (68) |
19.5 (67.1) |
13.4 (56.1) |
6.0 (42.8) |
−4.6 (23.7) |
−12.3 (9.9) |
4.0 (39.2) |
| Average low °C (°F) | −19.1 (−2.4) |
−15.1 (4.8) |
−8.3 (17.1) |
−0.9 (30.4) |
6.0 (42.8) |
11.8 (53.2) |
14.3 (57.7) |
13.2 (55.8) |
7.7 (45.9) |
1.0 (33.8) |
−8.3 (17.1) |
−16.2 (2.8) |
−1.2 (29.8) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −42.0 (−43.6) |
−41.7 (−43.1) |
−37.8 (−36) |
−22.2 (−8) |
−15.0 (5) |
−2.7 (27.1) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
−1.1 (30) |
−12.2 (10) |
−20.5 (−4.9) |
−34.0 (−29.2) |
−37.8 (−36) |
−42.0 (−43.6) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 18.8 (0.74) |
18.9 (0.744) |
22.5 (0.886) |
34.6 (1.362) |
58.4 (2.299) |
92.9 (3.657) |
79.4 (3.126) |
70.8 (2.787) |
44.5 (1.752) |
49.9 (1.965) |
29.9 (1.177) |
20.2 (0.795) |
540.8 (21.291) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.4 (0.016) |
2.4 (0.094) |
8.6 (0.339) |
21.7 (0.854) |
56.4 (2.22) |
92.9 (3.657) |
79.4 (3.126) |
70.8 (2.787) |
44.1 (1.736) |
42.9 (1.689) |
4.7 (0.185) |
2.2 (0.087) |
426.5 (16.791) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 19.0 (7.48) |
16.5 (6.5) |
13.9 (5.47) |
13.1 (5.16) |
2.0 (0.79) |
0.0 (0) |
0.0 (0) |
0.0 (0) |
0.4 (0.16) |
7.0 (2.76) |
25.6 (10.08) |
18.0 (7.09) |
115.6 (45.51) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 10.9 | 8.9 | 9.2 | 7.1 | 10.6 | 14.2 | 12.4 | 10.2 | 9.1 | 9.7 | 8.7 | 10.8 | 121.8 |
| Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 0.78 | 1.1 | 3.3 | 5.1 | 10.3 | 14.2 | 12.4 | 10.2 | 9.1 | 8.0 | 2.3 | 0.65 | 77.4 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 10.5 | 8.2 | 6.7 | 3.0 | 0.33 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.17 | 2.3 | 7.1 | 10.2 | 48.6 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 108.5 | 129.2 | 161.3 | 226.9 | 266.6 | 270.8 | 300.7 | 285.4 | 192.7 | 150.4 | 92.4 | 93.0 | 2,277.8 |
| Percent possible sunshine | 40.2 | 45.3 | 43.8 | 55.2 | 56.2 | 55.9 | 61.5 | 64.0 | 50.8 | 44.8 | 33.5 | 36.2 | 49.0 |
| Source: Environment Canada[4][5][6] | |||||||||||||
Access
Morden is located at the intersection of Provincial Road 432 and Manitoba Highway (PTH) 3; the latter provides the shortest route from Winnipeg, the provincial capital. Access to the town is also possible by way of PTH 14, which ends at PTH 3 near Morden and links the town with the neighbouring city of Winkler and PTH 75, the primary commercial route between Manitoba and the United States. Travelers from the U.S. can also reach Morden by taking PTH 32 through Winkler. Morden is located about 34 kilometres northwest of the United States border crossing at Walhalla, North Dakota.
Morden is served by a small rural airport, Morden Regional Aerodrome; however, it is not serviced by major airlines. The airport has two parallel 1212 metre asphalt runways and a 914-meter grass strip runway.
The city has one taxi service, Boundary Trails Taxi. It is also served by Greyhound Canada, which operates a daily bus service to and from Winnipeg during the week. Many Winnipeg courier services also serve Morden during weekdays.
Morden is bisected by a Canadian Pacific railway south of Stephen Street, running East-West. The Boundary Trail Railway interlines with the Canadian Pacific in Morden.
Government and politics
Morden is governed by a mayor and six councilors who are elected by residents. The current mayor of Morden is Ken Wiebe.
Morden is represented in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba (as part of the Morden-Winkler riding) by Progressive Conservative MLA Cameron Friesen and in the House of Commons of Canada (as part of the Portage—Lisgar riding) by Conservative MP Candice Bergen.
Education
Morden's public school system is the Western School Division, which consists of two elementary schools - Maple Leaf Elementary School and Minnewasta Elementary School, one middle school, École Morden Middle School, one high school, Morden Collegiate Institute and an Adult Education centre. There are no private schools operating within the city.
Red River Technical Vocational Area has partnered with Western School Division to provide further opportunities to its Secondary-level students. The Campus Manitoba program also provides assistance to students in Morden and area who desire to obtain Post-Secondary education.
In December 2005, philanthropist John Buhler donated $5 million to the Western school division for the purpose of building a large performing arts centre. This was to be the largest ever private gift to a Canadian public school. However, accusations of cost overruns and opposition to the gift from many people in the city led to the school division abandoning the project in 2008, to Buhler's dismay. The $1.25 million that had already been handed over was not refunded, and was used by the school for other purposes. Purportedly, many residents said they did not want the performing arts centre, and still others demanded he use the money to build the town a pool instead.[7]
Local media
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Morden's local newspapers include The Morden Times, published weekly and distributed by carrier to Morden area households, and The Winkler-Morden Voice, also published weekly and distributed by mail to households in both Winkler and Morden and many surrounding smaller communities. The Winnipeg Free Press and Winnipeg Sun are available daily.
Nearby Winkler is home to two radio stations of its own, both of which are owned and operated by Altona-based Golden West Broadcasting. CKMW-FM, a country music station, was established in 1980 and broadcasts at 88.9 kHz on the FM dial. CJEL, an adult contemporary music station branded as The Eagle 93.5, launched in 2000 and was the only FM radio station in the Pembina Valley until CKMW moved from 1570 kHz AM in 2013.
Though they are not based in Winkler, several other radio stations are notable around the Morden-Winkler area. The signal from Golden West's easy listening radio station in Altona, CFAM 950 AM, reaches the Winkler area. Two North Dakota stations near the Canada/U.S. border also reach Winkler: KAOC 105.1 FM (Maverick 105), a country music station in Cavalier and KYTZ 106.7 FM (Z-106.7, Today's Best Hits), an adult contemporary music station in Walhalla. The former station sells advertisements targeting the Pembina Valley region and maintains an advertising sales office in Morden. Radio stations from Winnipeg and Grand Forks, North Dakota can also be received sometimes.
Culture and tourism
Every year on the last weekend of August, Morden holds the Corn and Apple Festival where those who attend can enjoy free corn and apple cider, among other activities.
Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre
.JPG)
Morden is home to the largest collection of marine reptile fossils in Canada, located at the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre.[8] Their collection includes a 13-metre-long mosasaur, approximately 80 million years old named Bruce - a Guinness Record holder as the largest mosasaur on public display in the world.[9]
The city also houses the Pembina Hills Art Gallery. A non-profit community organization, the art gallery aims to facilitate the growth and diversity of the arts in the Pembina Valley region.
Morden designated a "Cultural Capital of Canada for 2008"
Morden was designated a Cultural Capital, in the under 50,000 category, for 2008. This honour was bestowed upon the town by Beverly J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, as well as Brian Pallister who is a member of parliament.[10]
Morden received this award based on the town's emphasis on art and culture in the community. This includes hosting various festivals such as the Back Forty Festival, which highlights aboriginal influences in the community. The award also takes into account proposed projects, that the community has undertaken, in an effort to place art and culture in high esteem among its townspeople.
The city receives special funding as recognition for this award. For its category, Morden may receive up to $500,000 in funding. The money has been designated to go towards a new performing arts centre, as well as four murals for the community.
Corn and Apple Festival
.JPG)
The very first Corn and Apple Festival, held in 1967, was intended to celebrate Canada's centennial. The festival name was coined after the prairies long growing season, especially when it came to corn and apples. The festival has continued on since 1967 and is now recognized as the city's annual festival.
The festival is held in the centre of the city, along Stephen Street, as it symbolizes "the heart of the community".[11] Every year visitors come from all over Canada to participate in the festivities. Visitors can expect delicious food, free corn and apple cider, as well as the borscht donated by a nearby Hutterite colony, which, in recent years, has become a staple in the festival. Also featured is live entertainment, craft shows, and more. The festival also boasts the largest parade in Manitoba.
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1901 | 1,522 | — |
| 1911 | 1,130 | −25.8% |
| 1921 | 1,268 | +12.2% |
| 1931 | 1,416 | +11.7% |
| 1941 | 1,427 | +0.8% |
| 1951 | 1,862 | +30.5% |
| 1961 | 2,793 | +50.0% |
| 1996 | 5,689 | +103.7% |
| 2001 | 6,142 | +8.0% |
| 2006 | 6,571 | +7.0% |
| 2011 | 7,812 | +18.9% |
| [12][13][14] | ||
Noteworthy appearances at past festivals include; Kenny Byrka, Lou Gramm, Prairie Oyster, Colin James, Dr. Hook, Randy Bachman, The Wilkinsons and Dear Screaming.
Demographics
Morden had a population of 7,812 people in 2011, which was an increase of 18.9% from the 2006 census. The median household income in 2005 for Morden was $42,395, which is below the Manitoba provincial average of $47,875.[15]
Notable residents
The following people of note were born in Morden or consider it their hometown:
- Henry Friesen, an endocrinologist
- John MacAulay, a lawyer, national president of the Canadian Bar Association, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
- Loreena McKennitt, a singer
- Chay Genoway, an ice hockey player for the Hershey Bears
References
- ↑ Manitoba Historical Society
- ↑ "Morden becomes Manitoba's newest city". Winnipeg Free Press. 27 August 2012. Retrieved 25 August 12. Check date values in:
|access-date=(help) - ↑ "Lawn and Garden: Morden, MB". The Weather Network. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Morden CDA". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Environment Canada. Climate ID: 5021848. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
- ↑ "Morden". Canadian Climate Data. Environment Canada. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
- ↑ "Morden CDA CS". Canadian Climate Data. Environment Canada. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
- ↑ Winnipeg Free Press
- ↑ "Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre". Retrieved 2008-08-27.
- ↑ "Manitoba dig uncovers 80-million-year-old sea creature". CBC News. 2008-08-27. Retrieved 2008-08-27.
- ↑ Cultural Capital
- ↑ Corn and Apple Festival
- ↑ , Censuses 1871-1931
- ↑ , Census 1941-1951
- ↑ , Census 1961
- ↑ "Morden, Manitoba - Detailed City Profile". Retrieved 2009-09-10.
- Town of Morden (2007). http://www.mordenmb.com/. Retrieved December 3, 2007.
- Manitoba Community Profile (2006). Community Profile: Town of Morden. Retrieved December 3, 2007.
- Statistics Canada (2006). 2006 Community Profile: Morden. Retrieved December 3, 2007.
- Western School Division (2007). http://www.westernsd.mb.ca/. Retrieved December 3, 2007.
External links
- Official website
- Statistics Canada 2006 Community Profile - Morden
- Town of Morden Community Profile
- The Morden Times
- Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre
- Map of Morden at Statcan
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