Steinbach, Manitoba: a Community in Search of Place Through the Recovery of Ifs Formative Creeks

Home , East Reserve, Kleine Gemeinde, La Broquerie, Seine River (Manitoba), Southern Manitoba, Winnipeg

Steinbach, Manitoba: A Community in Search of Place Through the Recovery of ifs Formative Creeks

by Ronaid Mark Dick

DEPARTMENT OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTIIRE University of Manitob4 Winnipeg, Manitoba April2001

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Steinbach, Manitoba:

A Community in Search of Place

Through the Recovery of its f,'ormative Creeks

Ronald MarkDick

A Thesis/Practicum submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies of The University

of Manitoba in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree

Master of Landscape ArchÍtecture

RONALD MARI( DICK @ 2OO1

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Canadä Acknowledgements In addition to the members of the committee, I am deeply indebted to countless other enthusiastic individu- This practicum represents the cooperative efforts of als (too numerous to name) for freely sharing ideas and numerous individuals through many hours of dedicated stories, and making invaluable contributions at all stages work. Firstly,I would like to thank the original members from start to completion of the practicum. of my practicum committee - Professor Ted Mclachlan (chair), Department of Landscape Architecture, Univer- My sincere gratitude is also extended to the Faculty of sity of Manitoba; Dr. Royden Loewen, Chair of Menno- Graduate Studies for providing generous financial sup- nite Studies, University of Winnipeg; and Mr. Jack port through a University of Manitoba Graduate Fellow- Kehler, City Managea City of Steinbach - for sharing ship. their time arìd expertise, and offering advice, construc- tive criticism and encouragement. As the departmental I would especially like to thank my parents and family requirements regarding the practicum committee for all the experiences and opportunities which they've changed over the course of this sfudy, I would also like provided over the years, and for challenging me to to extend my sincere thanks to: Professor Alan Tate - pursue my dreams Head of the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Manitoba - for stepping in as Chair of To Andrea and Raelyn - thank you for your unwaver- the advisory committee during Ted's sabbatical year; and ing patience, love, encouragement and the precious gift Professor Charlie Thomsen - Head of the Department of of time which you afforded me in the completion of this Environmental Design at the University of Manitoba - work. Each of you is truly an inspiration to me! for joining the committee as an internal reader.

Dedicated to the memory of myfather John Dick. Table of Contents Abstract :...... i Acknowledgements ...... ii TableofContents ... iii 1.0 lntroduction ...... 1 1.1 TheChallenge ...... 2 1.2 Objectives...... 2 1.3 Methodology . ... 3 2.0 An Examination of Place ...... 5 3.0 TheHumanLandscape...... 13 3.1 MennoniteOrigins...... 13 3.2 Historical Mennonite Settlement Patterns ...... 14 4.0 TheNatural Landscape...... 2'l 4.1 Southeastern Manitoba Regional Context ...... 2 1 5.0 Experiencing a New Land .. . . .29 5.1 AVillageEmerges ....29 5.2 Steinbach and its "spirit of Place" ...... 36 6.0 ExploringSteinbach'sCreeks ...... 41 6.1 PleasuresofaPrairieStream ...... 41 6.2 Cental Creek . . .47 6.3 NorthCreek ....51 6.4 SouthCreek ....52 7.0 RecognitionolPlace .....55 7.1 Historical Precedents . . 7.2 Design Opporfunities...... 59 7.3 PlanDevelopment...... 66 8.0 Summary.. ...71 8.1 Observations ....71 8.2 Oppornrnities for Future Research ...... 71 Appendices...... 73 References . . .77

lil I .0 lntroduction village was able to foster a strong cultural identity. A unique feature ofpresent-day Steinbach settlement, Settlement on the prairies in the late nineteenth cen- which distinguishes it (and several other Mennonite tury led to a signif,rcant population gowth in Canada, villages) as an anomaly on the Canadian prairies, is its as a great number ofEuropean immigrants transplanted orientation. When the village was fust established, the their cultures to a new land. The selection of a suitable Mennonite immigrants Booled the individual quarter- location for settlement was undoubtedly a uitical con- section farmsteads they had been given by the federal sideration for these settlers, as they strove to make the goveÍrment, and aligned long, narrow strips of land most of a short growing season, and to combat the cold, perpendicular to a short branch of a creek which diago- harsh winters. As the immigrants faced the challenges nally bisected the prairie section. Rather than address- associated with their new frontier, they relied heavily ing the cardinal directions as the prairie square-mile upon the land for subsistence, and often settled along- grid dictated, these properties were thus oriented at an side river or stream corridors, which ensured an ad- approximate 45-degree skew What is ofparticular sig- equate supply ofwater and offered some protection from nificance is that these early homesreaders settled in a the prairie eiements. The city of Steinbach, Manitoba, direct response to the natural landscape, rather than in .-l_ located approximately 60 km sourh-east of Winnipeg, relation to a human-imposed grid panern which arrifi- ¡l--_ is one illustration of this form of early settlement. cially subdivided the land. The central creek was one Steinbach was established as a farming village n lB74 of three parallel creeks, all locared within the village by a group of 18 Russian Mennonite families who set- district, which together constituted Steinbach's unique y'l \ 3v tled on the eastern edge of the East Reserve land - a natural landscape. !# block set aside forthe Mennonites by the Canadian gov- Steinbach has greatly prospered and flourished over Steinbach, Manitoba as it appears today. Drawing by author ernment. It was here that these families were abie to the past 125 years. Ofthe many new homes and streets maintain their highly-praised agricultural practices built (within the original square mile section), the ma- within their traditional farm viltage settlement pattern, jority ofthese have continued to be aligned in the same and were given military abstention, language freedom orientation - either parallel or perpendicular to the cen- and provisionto exercise the deep religious convictions tral creek. As Steinbach has grown, however, the his- which v/ere a part of their heritage. As a result, the toric role and cultural-social-ecological-educational sig-

Introduction .õ,rr-*' W

nificance of its creeks has been largety ignored or sev- lation continueto groq the expansionpromises to place ered altogether. Portions of the creeks are in imminent direct and increasing pressures upon the three stream danger of being lost. The central creek, which runs corridors. In particular, on-going commerciai growth through Steinbach's core (Section 35-6-68), for exam- within the central core seriously threatens the remain- ple, has been diverted upstream ofthe city since it is no ing segments of the central creek. As Hough argues longer used for agricultural purposes within Steinbach, and society demonstrates, "little attention has been paid and has been deemed a spring flooding hazard. As a to understanding the natural processes that have con- result, the remaining creekbed is simply a means of tributed to the physical form of the city and which in channeling runoff accumulated within the city itself. tum have been altered by it" (Hough, 1984,2). What is The great reduction in flow has left the creek bed dry of utmost signifÏcance is that once lost, the creeks may for the majority of the sìlnmer months, and has addi- never again be recovered. Such a loss wouid fuither tionally resulted in the culverting and infill of signifi- demonstrate the severance ofhumankind's cultural con- cant portions ofthe original stream channel. As author nections to the land, and delicate ties to the spirit of Michael Hough maintains, "The advancing ciry has place would be broken. As argued in the following often replaced complex natural environments of woods, study, it must be recognized that a meaningful future streams and fields, with biologically sterile man-made necessitates the integration of human and natural land- landscapes that are neither socially useful nor visually scapes. enriching" (Hough, 1984,2). In its present state, the 1.2 Objectives central creek simply exists as a dying historicai rem- nant which has been lost and forgotten in the urban The primary objective of the study is to document matrix. It is an unsightly ditch - biologically sterile and preserve the integrity of the Steinbach creeks as and destined to be sunk underground. physical and symbolic expressions within the context of the city of Steinbach. As such, a significant area 1.1 The Challenge of focus will be an examination of the relationship and The recognition and protection of its area creeks is interplay between natural and human landscapes (i.e. paramountto afull understanding of Steinbach's unique the creeks and street village pattern) as they contribute sense of place. As Steinbach's physical size and popu- to the creation of a sense of place.

Introduction The secondary objective involves an exploration of veys, ground and aerial photographs, sketches the stream corridors as a means for promoting greater and available mapping; connectivity within the city limits, and the .the identifica- synthesis of the preceding information in a tion of significant nodes adjacent to the creeks, which meaningful design expression which responds provide the opporfunity for an expanded greenspace. to Steinbach's unique sense ofplace. Additionall¡ emphasis will be placed on rhe recovery of a natural stream process at work within this urban The final product outlines a proposed trail and setting, as a means of providirg u connection between greenspace network associated with the three creeks, an earlier way of life and a sustainable future. It is along which significant nodes, or coÍtmunal gathering anticipated that by providing greater a presence to the points, have been identified. One ofthese nodes, along creeks, a clearer understanding of Steinbach's on-go_ Steinbach's central creek, is specifically addressed in ing history culture, and unique settlement pattern may graphic form as a primary opportunity to celebrate be provided. Steinbach's cultural landscape. 1.3 Methodology

The process for the completion of this study has in_ cluded: .a review of literature pertaining to Mennonite culfure, settlement patterns, creek restoration and the meaning of place; .an examination of historical information relating to the Steinbach creeks and their larger context (documentation, photographs, mapping and personal interviews with members of the community); . an exploration and analysis of the three Steinbach creeks through reconnaissance sur_

Introduction 2.0 An Examination of Place It is through this process, ¿rs space acquires definition and meaning, that it is nansformed into place (Tuan, Before proceeding with a specific exploration of the te77). City of Steinbach and its formative creeks, it is perhaps For each ofus, place is aprofoundly meaningful con- appropriate to ponder the meaning of place and the struct, which directly contributes to our essential needs impact it has upon its citizens. What is place and why for rootedness, purpose and ultimate well-being. is it important? What is the process that transfonns an Edward Relph expresses that "to be human is to live in ordinary setting into place, and what are the funda¡nen- a world that is filled with significant piaces: to be hu- tal characteristics which give meaning to place? IVhat man is to have and to know your place" (Reiph, 1976, happens when the sense of place has been lost, over- 1). Kent Ryden acknowledges that "attachment to place looked or inadvertently altered? How can one recover is as naturai and necessary apartof existence as eating a perceived loss of place or improve upon the existing or breathing, a force which motivates and sustains life. characteristics ofplace in order to provide a more mean- It gives the world structure and meaning; it makes it a ingful existence for the residents of that place? The comforting home" (Ryden, 1993,265). As these au- following examination addresses these and other con- thors (and many others) maintain, place is of funda- cerns in an attempt to contribute to the understanding mental significance to our human lives. It is a valued of place as an underlying theme within this study. environment within which its inhabitants are able to Whether or not we are consciously aware, each of us find meaning and purpose. inhabits or moves within an environment, a locality, a In his book, Place and Placelessness, Edward Relph space. Regardless of size or physical characteristics, a provides this description of the notion of place: space provides the context within which we work, study, Places are fusions of human and natural travel, play or simply go about a daily routine. As we order and are the significant centres of begin to interact with, address and acknowledge the our immediate experiences of the space on a deeper level, it becomes something more world. They are defined less by unique locations, landscape, and communities than simply a physical locality. It is gradually trans- than by the focusing of experiences and formed into something which is a part of us, something intentions onto particular settings. which we define, and by which we, in turn, are defined. Places are not abstractions or concepts,

An Examination ofPlace but are directly experienced phenom- teristics) which distinguishes it from other areas. To- enons of the lived-world and hence are gether, these characteristics contribute to an enriched, full with meanings, with real objects, heightened experience ofthis environment. The intrin- and with ongoing activities. They are important sources of individual and sic properties embedded within this natural landscape cotnmunal identity, and are often pro- often evoke the same response from different people of found centres of human existence to varying ages and cultural backgrounds. For exampie, which people have deep emotional and tourists from across the globe are often sffuck by simi- psychological ties. Indeed our relation- lar reactions confronted awesome beauty ships with places are just as necessary, when by the varied and sometimes perhaps just as of Lake Louise in Canada's BanffNational Park, the unpleasant, as our relationships with unbounded spectacle of the Grand Canyon or the vast other people (Relph, 1976,141). emptiness of the Sahara Desert. HoweveE while the experience may be filled with awe and wonder, it is From this def,rnition, place can be understood as a still just a momentary, fleeting glimpse which soon falls valued environment composed of two fundamental into the background of our memories. Place, in this parts. The fust element is the natural landscape - a sense, is understood as apurely physical landscape, and landscape uninfluenced by human contact. Although its significance is short-term. There is liule interaction few if any, of our natural surroundings can be truly between the landscape and the observer. It is an expe- considered pristine, as human hands and influence have rience foremost of the eyes and only secondarily by pervaded virnrally every corner of the globe, neverthe- other senses of sound and smell. The naturai landscape less, a Lake Louise in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. While in theoretical sense, the natural landscape is the provides the framework for place but cannot, in and of tourists of all ages and cultural backgrounds are primary component in the understanding of place. itself, provide meaning to place. The intrinsic proper- mesmerized by the beauty of this spectacular view, their feelings are short-lived. The scene simply represents a While the natural order is, by defurition, unknown and ties of the natural landscape, which provide direction celebration of the natural landscape - only one component of place. Photo by author un-experienced space, it has embedded within it intrin- to the realization of place, must be acted upon. sic properties which, once experienced, provide di¡ec- The second element in examining place is focused tion to thercaluation ofplace. Each natural iandscape entirely upon the human-made environment, and the is associated with its own unique geographic conditions various activities associated with being human. Such (geomorphology, climate, vegetation and other charac- is the experience found within many oftoday's modern

An Examination ofPlace cities of the Western world. Here, in its extreme form, Place is only fully achieved the through the combination danger exists that the environment can readily be- ofthe previous two elements come to create a composite rayer atificiar and contrived. Life can operate within called a cultural landscape - a synthesis ofthe a vacuum. The predominance natural of uniform sþscrapers physical environment and the human condition. chris- designed independently of climatic conditions, for ex- tian Norberg-schurz describes ample, a culturar randscape as makes it difficultto distinguishlos Angeles from "an environment where man has found htrew York. his meaningfur It can become an egocentric approach to place within the totatity" (Norberg_Schulz, Ig7g,40). place-making. It is often an attempt to make cities ap_ It represents moving beyond simply viewing a land_ pear familiar and visitors to feel at home, but in the scape to living within it process and discovering what it is about making no place feel like home. The multi_ (i.e. the transformation of space tudes to place). It encom_ oftheme parks and tourist resorts are an example passes an understanding of the natural par excellence landscape of a of this superficial and escapist approach particular sefting and the meaning derived from to place-mukirg (although every_ in these situations, this eÊ day human activities and experiences within that set- fort is quite intentionar). The attempt to create place ting. As Yi-Fu Tuan mainrains, rather than allowing it to be shaped in recognition of the existing ... the 'feel' of a place takes naturar conditions, results in a superficiar, longer to generic acquire [than abstract knowledgé about construction of place with contrived meaning. aplace, or the visuai quality of an Rather than allowing people to bring their experiences environment]. It is made up of experi_ and focus them onto a particular sefting in an interac- ences, mostly fleeting and undramatic, tive fashion, repeated day after a pre-determined meaning is thrust upon day and over rhe them in this span of years. It is a unique biend of human-made environment. The result is sights, sounds, and smells, a unique that the participant can never become more than a visi- harmony of natural and artificial A generic cityscape, characterized tor in this environment, regardress of how by uniform skyscrapers often helshe rþthms such as times of sunrise and designed independently of unique siie and climatic participates conditions, typifies the attempt ,.make within it. The essentiar notion of rootedness sunset, of work and play. The feel a to place,, in a human of landscape, rather than to place, place is registered allowing place to be revealed. ofbelonging - the factors which we associate in one's muscles and Photo by author with being bones (Tuan, 1977, lg4). "at home" - can never be fully realized tn this environment. Particularly significant is the notion that place is

An Examination ofplace embedded in the familiar, seemingly mundane activi- dents. "The process of living through time, looking ties of regular people engaged in acts ofrepeated ritual. around, and listening to others makes local residents Neither a unique natural location nor the composition aware ofthe things that happened there before they came of human physical elements is enough to generate this along, even if those things are not prominently com- sense of place independently. The natural and human memorated in the landscape" (Ryden, 1993,64). Yi- landscapes must co-exist in a harmonious union in or- Fu Tuan describes place as "time made visible, or place der for place to be fully rcalized. Kent C. Ryden sug- as memorial to times past" in which time is "motion or gests that "Place is created when experience charges flow and place as apause in the temporai current" (Tuan, landscape with meaning" (Ryden, 1993,221). 1977, i79). Place, in this sense, encapsulates ail of the The habitual human customs and resultant experi- past experiences and events associated with a particu- ences that give meaning to place naturally occur over a iar locale and depicts them as a significant moment in significant period of months and years. Time, there- the present - as a pause in the movement of time. The fore, is intrinsic to the idea ofplace. "Any contempla- history of place is additionally significant in this sense tion of place, then, is temporally complex, looking si- because it not oniy provides a basis for the understand- multaneously at the formative past, the impending fu- ing of present place, but ultimately gives meaning and ture, and the ephemerai present which separates the fwo; purpose to the future of place. Just as it is diffrcult for a meditation on place is necessarily a meditation on someone to plan a future without an understanding of time" (Ryden, 1993,256). History, in paiticular. is an his/her past, it is impossible to give meaningful future essential factor in this understanding of place. The ac- direction to place without an understanding of the fac-

The Forks, located at the junction of the Red and cumulation of stories and experiences developed over tors (events, experiences, circumstances) which under- Assiniboine Rivers in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is an time a certain location, provides meaning place lie the historicai formation of that panicular landscape. excellent example of a rich and celebrated cultural in to landscape - a synthesis of the natural physical for the holder of those stories. When combined with The act of living in a particular physical setting or environment and the human condition. Photo by Dave Reede rn Going Places additional personal histories from several others at- place is also intuitively linked to the notion of commu- tached to that same landscape or setting, a greater di- nity. Whether community refers to home, region or versity and heightened sense ofplace is achieved. One even nation, it nevertheless implies a belonging to some- could not even begin to speak of a sense of place with- thing larger - a significant source of identity. As Edward out the specific historical accounts of its long-time resi- Relph maintains, "An authentic sense of place is above

An Examination ofPlace allthat ofbeing inside and belonging to your place both man-made place... ought to have a natural basis: it as an individual and as a member of a community, and should take the relationship to the natural environment to know this without reflecting upon it" (Relph, 1976, as its point of departure" (Norberg-Schulz, 1979,50). 65-66). Through the act of inhabiting a specific land- Through topo graphy, geomorpholo gy, vegetative c over, scape over time and developing a cofirmunal history presence/absence of water and numerous other indica- within its confines, a meaningful sense of place is cul- tors, the natural landscape provides the blueprint tivated. "The relationship between community and wherein humanity can dwell. In particular, "If man- place is indeed a very powerful one in which each rein- made places are at all relatedto their environment, there forces the identity of the other, and in which the land- ought to exist a meaningful correspondence between scape is very much an expression of coûrmunally held natural conditions and settlement morphology" beließ and values and of inte¡personal involvements" Q.lorberg-Schulz, 197 9, 1 7 1 ). The careful positioning (Relph, 197 6, 34). This reciprocal relationship acknowl- and pafferning of human settlement as dictated by na- edges that an authentic sense ofplace cannot exist apart ture, are critical steps in the recognition and understand- from the notion of community and vice versa. Further- ing of place. By responding favourably to these indi- more, "A sense of place implies that a community has cators, the identity of place is realized, and the oppor- an accurate reading of its past and present and some tunit"v for the creation of a cultural landscape is pro- idearegarding its future. It is an indication thatasmall vided. town understands its uniqueness" (Barker, 1979,164). Secondly, in its intrinsic relationship with time (and Without this unique sense of place which sets an area history inparticular), place must be utderstood as more apart from neighbouring localities, the idea of commu- than simply a collection ofhistoric elements - i.e. build- nity is nothing more than a collection ofbuildings, towns ings, anifacts, stories, etc. Place is continuaily chang- or cities inhabited by isolated individuals who lack an ing and evolving as new histories are created rvith each identity. passing moment. "To respectthe genius loci [spirit of In the examination ofplace, various key components place] does not mean to copy old models. It means to must be recognized to ensure that a community has determine the identity of the place and to interpret it in captured its unique identity or sense of place. Firstly, ever new ways. Only then we may taik about a living according to Christian Norberg-Schulz, "A study of tradition which makes change meaningful by relating

An Examination ofPlace it to a set of locally founded paramefres" fNorberg- be simple enough so that visitors and younger residents Schulz, 1979,182). In recovering a lost sense ofplace, can appreciate place on a level that is consistent with Relph echoes Norberg-Schulz and further suggests that their experience of that place. At the same time, the "The possibilities for maintaioitg and reviving man's sense ofpiace must be complex in its multi-layered form [sic] sense of place do not lie in the preservation of old so that long-term residents can continue to generate places - that would be museumisation; nor can they lie meaning andpurpose from place foryears to come within a selfconscious return to the traditional ways of out becoming bored or dissatisfied with their surround- placemaking - thatwouldrequire the regaining of a lost ings (Barker,1979). The challenge lies in recognizing state of innocence. Instead, placelessness must be tran- the balance whereby human influence does not force scended" (Relph, 1976,145). Relph suggests planning the creation of place in a trite meaningless fashion, but variety into the secuiar city as a means of transcending rather assumes a subservient, directive role in ailowing placelessness, but acknowledges that "It is not possible place to be revealed. to design rootedness nor to guarantee that things will The meaning of place is as varied as the experi- be right in places, but it is perhaps possible to provide ences of the inhabitants of place. It is at once simple conditions that will allow roots and care for places to and complex. It is a real part of our everyday exist- develop" (Relph, 1976, 146). Amidst an undersrand- ence, yet triggers oì.r memories with images of the past ing of the flexible, adaptive nature of place over time, and charges our imaginations with visions of the fu- the sense ofplace of a given locality must nevertheless ture. The realization of place involves a careful syn- continue to remain anchored in its founding ffuths or thesis ofthe human element and a natural environment, principles. thereby resulting in a culrural landscape. A successful A third significant component of place is the recog- synthesis recognizes the symbiotic relationship which nition that it must have multiple layers of meaning exists between the human spirit and natural conditions. within its construct. This ensures that an understand- Humanity, after all, shares an important role in the natu- ing of the sense of place of a given locale is accessible ral system of creation. The human act of place-making to a wide range of potential participants. In examining simply identifies and builds upon the natural indicators the sense of place in Mississippi small towns, James F. or "blueprint" whichnature has alreadyprovided. Thus, Barker acknowledges that the meaning of place must in its truest form, place-making is not an intervention

10 An Examination ofPlace upon the land, but rather, a recognition of the spirit of place. As a suitable culmination to this discussion, J. B. Jackson provides these concluding thoughts from his book, A Sense of Place, a Sense of Time:

So one way of defining such localities would be to say that they are cherished because they are embedded in the everyday world around us and easily accessible, but at the same time are distinct from that world. A visit to one of them is a small but significant event. We are refreshed and elated each time \rye are there. I cannot reaily defîne such localities any more precisely. The experience varies in intensity; it can be private and solitary, or convivial and social. The place can be a natural setting or a crowded street or even a public occasion. 'What moves us is our change of mood, the brief but vivid event. And what automatically ensues, it seems to me, is a sense of feilowship with those who share the experience, and the instinctive desire to return, to establish a custom of repeated ritual (Jackson, 1994, 158).

An Examination ofPlace 11 3.0 The Human Landscape unique settlement formations over the centuries.

An examination of place has led to the suggestion 3.1 Mennonite Origins that it is composed of two primary components - human and natural landscapes. Only through thei¡ bal- Today's Mennonites are a diverse group of people anced interaction does place achieve meaning. In or- whose shared history stems from the sixteenth cenfury der to obtain an understanding of Steinbach, Manitoba Protestant Reformation in Switzerland, where the as place, it is therefore par¿rmount to examine each of Anabaptist church reform movement frst appeared. In these components in greater detail. It must be ac- addition to its harsh criticism of war (especially as knowledged from the outset that exploring human and fought in the name of the Church), objections to the natural landscapes independently is an impossibility, sacraments of the Catholic mass and reaction against since human activity must occur within a locality or the existing union of church and state, Anabaptism arose context; conversely, the examination of a natural land- in its rejection of the uniform baptism of infants within scape is invariably subject to human contact and this church-state political system. Contrary to the teach- interpretation. Nevertheless, in order to provide an or- ings of the Catholic Church, Anabaptists advocated the ganizational framework for this study, the relevant hu- baptism of adult believers only, which initially meant Menno Simons (c. 1496-1561), a capable leader and man and natural landscapes will be first addressed sepa- the "re-baptism" of many, hence the name "Ana-bap- adamant Anabaptist follower, was credited with the founding of the Mennonites (who bear his name) in rately as much as possible. A following chapter will tism". The movement quickly spreadthroughout north- Holland in 1536. Skefch by Lee Toews Sundmark, inspired by a painting by Alexander Harder then undertake to explore how the interplay between em Europe despite widespread persecution, and, under these two components has unfolded in the city of the leadership of a former Catholic priest, Menno Steinbach. Simons (c. 1496-1561), a following of "Menists" or The historical account outlined below specifically "Mennonists" (later called "Mennonites") emerged in examines the Mennonite human landscape - the found- Holland in 1536. ing pioneers of Steinbach, Manitoba. As such, it pro- In adherence to their Anabaptist convictions, vides a brief and rather compressed synopsis of Mennonites were particularly noted for their belief in Mennonite origins, and an exploration of Mennonite the ultimate authority of the Scriprures, adult baptism, faith and social sffucfures, which have impacted their the separation of church and state and a doctrine ofpaci-

The Human Landscape 13 fism (non-resistance). Since these ideologies threat_ been settled, required greatskill and ened to undermine the power ofthe larger Church, many knowledge. Increasing immigration of Mennonites from early Anabaptists (including Mennonites, who were the Netherlands had a very beneficial impact on the agricul_ viewed as "radicals" within this movement) were con_ tural development of the Danzig and, demned as heretics, hunted" jailed" tortured and, in many Elbing lowlands (Werder), the cases, killed for their faith. Tiegenhof "ökonomie,,'as well as the large and small Marienburg lowlands 3.2 Historical Mennonite Setflement patterns (Werder), for the Mennonites brought with them advanced hydrological skills (Rybak, 1992,217). As the religious persecution in the Netherlands in_ tensified, many Mennonites fled to the Danzigþresent_ Many ofthe Mennonites settled in villages built along day Gdansk) region of Northern poland - a low-lying the dikes of canals or streams. Here, their individual Mennonite settlement in the Vistula Delta, Northern poland. area subject to frequent flooding - where were farmyards commonly consisted of one large dwelling Map by Schroeder and Huebert in Mennonite Historical Atlas they promised religious freedom. Amidst famine, severe in which the hay shelter, animal barn and house were swamp fever and continuedpersecution, the Mennonites all under one roof. This so-called,.Dutch house,,(later persevered to become very successfui farmers in a for_ called a Mennonite house-barn) was to be an enduring merly uninhabitable landscape. Arkadiusz R-"-bak, Di_ housing form, which was later commonplace in both rector of the Agriculture Experimental station in stare Russia and North America. The morphology of the Pole, Poland, maintains that the immigrating farm village, Íts described by John Warkentin below, Mennonites "rescuedthe marshrands ofthe Vistula and would also prove to be an enduring protofype for cen- Nogat Delta, for, despite all efforts of the administra_ turies to come: tion and govefitment of that time, no other group of On the Nogst-Visrula Delta the lands had settlers from western Europe was prepared to settle these been wet, and all areas had been well sup_ lowlands" (Rybak, lggL,216). Rybak continues his plied with trees, meadows, and water. assessment by stating: Rural settlement there had been in tVar s c hufe ndö rfer italics], each An existing Mennonite [author's house-barn, still in use today as a This task of draining more marshland, farmer hobby farm, in Neubergthal, Manitoba. photo lived on his own rectangular block by auihor as well as regaining lands that had once of land, and the various plots and houses

14 The Human Landscape of each settlement fronted on the main Russia, as Southern Russia was called at this time road. Farms stretched side by side in long (present-day Ukraine). narrow strips or Gelonge [author's italics], each supposedly containing every- Following a one-year survey of these lands by thing needed for farming, meadowland by Mennonite representatives Jacob Hoeppner and Johann the stream, beyond which lay the arable, Bartsch, favorable negotiations resulted in aMennonite gr:eø;ulrgand forest land (Warkentin, 1960, charter of privileges. This charter guaranteed exemp- s28). tion from military service for all time and religious/ This type ofvillage settlement has also been referred politicaVeducational freedom in pwsuing a Mennonite to as the Holldnderdorf (Ens, 1994). For these rural way of life. On this basis, many Mennonites eagerly Mennonites, the Anabaptist ideology of separation of accepted the invitation and, beginning in 1788, thou- church and state was taken one step fuither to include sands migrated to this new land where they established physical separation from larger society as weil. The two major colonies - Chortitza n 1789, and the larger Mennonites inhabitedthis region ofPoland for over200 Molotschna Colony in 1804. years. At first, the Mennonites settled "in accordance with In 1772, a political change took place as Northern the land law of March 1764, which provided that the Poland was annexed by Prussia. Tensions rose when allotments be assigned in one contiguous plot, with the cfhm"' resfrictions were placed on Mennonite religious free- recipient to live on his separate (Rempel, 1973, dom, culminating in a threat to end exemption from 297). However, as James Urry acknowledges, ,.The prussian military service in 1786. Forfunately for the lack of an adequate survey, the threat of attack by Cos- Mennonites, this threat coincided with earlier manifes- sacks, and thefts by roaming bandits forced the ,,invit- tos issued n 1762-63 by Catherine 'The Great' Mennonites to abandon the idea of separate househotd ing Germans and other Europeans to settle on lands settlements on individual plots of land and to establish This monument was erected in 1890 in honour of the work vacated by the Turks in Southern Russia" (Dyck, 1981, compact villages instead" (Urry, 1989, 55). As a re- of Jacob Hoeppneç one of the Mennonite delegates chosen to inspect the land and negotiate 164). The Czarina, anxious to populate terms for this newly ac- sult, the Mennonites adapted their earlier Hollcinderdorf settlement in Southern Russia. Originally situated in the quired piece colony of Chortitza, the monument survived the of land, had heard about the industrious to the steppes of Southern Russia and developed a more tumultuous Russian Revolution (note the bullet holes), and and ambitious Mennonite farmers, and sentthem a spe- compact form of settlement called Stra/\endörfer ("street was eventually brought to Canada. lt currently resides ín the Mennonite ciai emissary in 1786 to invite them Heritage Village Museum in Steinbach, to settle in New villages"), in which homes were built on one or both Manitoba. Photo by author

The Human Landscape 15 sides of a central street, thereby making its residents they were, had created large valleys in which the vil- next-door neighbors. lages were located" (Goerz , 1993, 17). Individual land The location of the many villages and orientation of holdings of 65 dessiatini (176 acres) were pooled into their central streets was most often determined by small one large block (Gewannflur) andthen subdivided into rivers (tributaries of either the Dnieper River in the arable strips of land (Gewanne) "so that all sharedmore Chortitza Colony or the Molochnaya River in the or less equally in the good land and the poorer parcels, Molotschna Colony), which snaked across the Russian in land close to the village and that farther away" (Ens, ChortiEa and Molotschna Colonies in New Russia. Map by steppes. these rivers, small and unimportantthough William Schroeder in Mennonite Historical Atlas "All 7994,35). After a period of adjustment and agricultural experi- mentation underthe influence ofprominent leaders such as Johann Cornies (named life-time president of the Agricultural Union by the Tsar), the Mennonites farmed very successfully in this manner and many landowners prospered $eatly as a result. As Frank Epp maintains, "This homogeneous and self-suffrcient system was so conducive to the separatist development of sectarian commturity that one sociologist [E. K. Francis] referred to it as the 'Mennonite commonwealth"' (Epp, 1974, 7l-72). A vivid physical portrait of these flourishing Mennonite colonies in the heart of South Russia is provided in the following account:

The land in New Russia rises and falls gently; it extends, almost flat and without a break to the horizon. Deep gullies and broad valleys holding small slow The Molotschna Colony as it appeared in 1865. The map clearly depicts how the various small rivers directly influenced the siting and orientation of the many villages. (Note the private estate of Steinbach in the southeastern corner of the Colony along the rivers relieve the monotony of the Juschanlee River). Map by William Schroeder in Mennonite Historical Atlas steppe, their existence suggesting the

16 The HumanLandscape presence of the Dnieper River and the cerns. A large increase in the Mennonite population Black Sea which they feed. The earth had also resulted in land shortages within the Colonies. is rich black chernozem, but dry, receiv- ing little more than 35 centimeters of This problem'was partially alleviated when a number precipitation from rain and snow each of Russian estate o\ryners were forced to sell their large year. The horizon is barren except for estates, due to a labor shortage, and anumber of daugh- the domesticated trees that surround ter colonies surrounding the larger Chonitza and and shelter orderly villages. The rivers Molotschna Colonies were established as a result. dictate the contour of the roads. The For steppe everywhere bears the mark of example, the colony of Borosenko, located 80 miles man. It is divided into long srrips of west of the Molotschna, was founded in 1865 by 120 wheat and rye and barley, and into huge Kleine Gemeinde families to overcome the "adverse pastures offering sheep and cattle their political, economic, and religious implications" asso- nourishment (Loewen, Leaders of the ciated with landlessness (Loewen, Mennonite Kleine Gemeinde in Russía, Leaders of the IBI2 to 1874,1993, g3). Mennonite Kleine Gemeinde in Russia, lBI2 to 1874, 1993,87). Members ofthe Kleine Gemeínde (literally Russia soon began to develop shipping ports along "small congregation", formed in 18i2 under the lead- the Black Sea. These provided export markets for sur- ership of Klaas Reimer) were the fufure founders of plus products from the Mennonite Colonies, and a strong Steinbach, Manitoba. agriculturaliy-based economy flourished across Impe- However, the problem was funher complicated by rialist Russia as a result. Along with the great wealth the emergence of a class distinction between wealthy and economic success experienced by many ofthe Rus- landowners and a poorer landless group within the sianMennonites, many ofthe more conservative groups Mennonite communities. Additionally, in 1871, the became concerned with what they understood to be an special status granted all foreign colonists (of which increasing secularism that threatened their traditional the Mennonites had also been beneficiaries) was abol- Borosenko Colony. Map by William Schroeder in Mennonite Historical Mennonite values. Their perception of a gradual shift ished by the Russian govemment in an attempt to as- Atlas in focus from isolated, selÊsustaining Mennonite vil- similate the culturally diverse colonies into a unifîed lages to capitalist centers readily adopting the philoso- Russia. A significant part of these political reforms phies of a 'worldly society' was only one of their con- invo lve d the replac ement of the Mennonit e G ew annfl ur

The HumanLandscape 17 by new Russian municipal and judicial districts called In 1873, a delegation of twelve leaders, who repre- volosts. As a result, "all records would be kept in the sented the various Mennonite congregations, w¿ß se- Russian language, all land titles held by individuals (not lected and sent to North America to negotiate terms for by colonies), the open field system abolished wherever sefflement, following an invitation from both the Cana- two-thirds ofthe farmers wished it, and suftage would dian and American governments. At this time, Canada be granted all residents of the volost, without regard to and the United States were eageriy searching for for- landownership, church membership, or race" (Loewen, eign agriculturists to settle their frontier lands, as Rus- 1993,62). Additionally, it was now required that Rus- sia had done aimost 100 years earlier. In Canada, the sian be taught in all schools, and later, during the 1890's, delegates were promised a blanket military exemption. The delegation of 12 Mennonite leaders from Russia is met in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Photo f¡om Blumenori: A Mennonite all instruction was to be only in the Russian language. educational, political, and religious freedom in their Community in Transition 1874-1gBZ, couftesy of Mennonite Heritage Center Finally, following Russia's humiliation by the British language of choice, and an 8-township parcel of land in in the Crimean War (1854-56), a mandatory military southeastern Manitoba (the East Reserve) resewed by service law was passed by the Russian government in the Dominion Government of Canada exclusively for 1874, which threatened to undermine the identity of all Mennonite settlement at no expense. (The Mennonites but the most liberally-minded Mennonites. Although commonly referred to these "privileges" as their an alternative service provision was made for Memo- Privilegíttm - seeAppendfrA). While eighr ofthe more nites to work in government forestry c¿Lmps, for many, liberal Mennonite delegates chose the United States, the political reforms were understood as a direct threat the remaining four delegates (Heinrich Wiebe and Jacob to the Mennonite way of life. "What Russian Menno- Peters representing the Bergthalers, and Cornelius nites had taken for granted for seventy years was now Toews and David Klassen representing the Kleine being challenged by forces outside their control. At Gemeinde) chose to settle in Canada. Despite a milder stake was not only exemption from military service, climate, more fertiie lands and cioserproximity to com- but also their rights and policies with regard to educa- merciai centers for exportpurposes in the United States, tion, the German language and control of their colonial the Bergthal and Kleine Gemeinde deiegates preferred affairs" (Loewen, 1989, 128). Once again, talk of emi- Canada because of its block settlement oppoúunities gration came to the forefront for the Kleine Gemeínde and definitive stance on exemption from military serv- and other conservative Mennonite groups. ice, neither of which could be accommodated in the

18 The HumanLandscape United States. national identity, architecture, language, and mode of Following a favorable report by the excursion team production were replicated in the new land" (Loewen, to their family and friends in Russia, entire Mennonite 1993,70). The village of Steinbach, Manitoba was an villages within the Colonies sold their properties (often early example of this transplanted culture. at greatly reduced prices), packed whatever belongings they could take with them, and began the iong trek to a new continent. While many decided to remain in Rus- sia and resented the fact that others were leaving at the

first sign of conflict (Loewen, I 989), 1 8, 000 immigrants eventually migrated to North America ar this time. Of this total, 8,000 Mennonites, including 1I0 Kleine GemeÌnde families, settled directly in Manitoba beginning in 1874. As Royden Loewen maintains, "Conti- nuity was their goal. The communities they founded in the East Reserve... were meant to be reproductions of their village communities in Borosenko and the Molotschna" (Loewen,1993,75). Despite the fact that the sectionai square-mile prairie grid had already been surveyed within the East Reserve two ,vears prior to the arrival of the Mennonites, the new colonists largely ignored the grid antl its'"åScompanying individual homestead landholding system in favor of the block settlement patterns and village systems established earlier in Southern Russia. As the fust Mennonite pioneers planred their roots in the soils of the East Reserve, "Their place names, village and field systems, leadership hierarchy, denomi-

The Human Landscape 19 4.A The Natural Landscape 8-township land parcel called the East Reserve of 7874, and the village of Steinbach, more specifically. A review of the human landscape has led to an understanding of who Mennonites are, and has provided 4.1 Southeastern Manitoba Regional Context a brief insight into the historical developments, which have shaped them and their settlement patterns prior to PhysicaVGeographical History the emigration by many from Russia. For those Mennonites who decided to make Manitoba their new Situated at the longitudinal centre of Canada, the re- home (such as the Kleine Gemeinde - the focus $oup gion of southeastern Manitoba is located within the of this study), they were entering a province of vast western fringe ofthe transitionalzone, which separates Southeastern Manitoba is located at the longitudinal open prairie, which had only joined Confederation four two of Canada's predominant physiographic regions - centre of Canada, within the transition zone separating two of the country's most expansive physiographic regions - years earlier. It was truly a pioneer frontier which the Great WesternPlains andthe Canadian Shield. Char- the Great Plains to the west and the Canadian Shield to the greeted them as they established their homes and vil- acteúzed by a significant variation in soil fypes and east. Map from The National Atlas of Canada lages in this sparsely-settled land. The climate was vegetative cover, the geography ofthe region is the prod- harsher than they had experienced on the steppes of uct ofthe late Wisconsinan continental ice sheet, which South Russia, and the growing season was consider- played a major role in shaping the landscape of central ably shorter. Winters were long and cold in Manitoba, North America. In particular, a large inland giacier, while mosquitoes by the thousands tested the persever- known as the Red River Lobe, once scoured a signifi- ance of those venturing outside on humid surlmer eve- cant portion of Manitoba leaving in its wake a diverse nings. Nevertheiess, the Mennonites worked hard to and dramatic landscape. When temperatures warmed meet the challenges associated with this nahral land- and the glacier finally receded approximately 12,000 scape. years ago, the resultant glacial Lake Agassiz covered The following account examines the region ofsouth- much of Southern Manitoba. It eventuaily drained Upon arriving in Canada, the Russian Mennonites settled e¿rstern Manitoba from the perspective of its physicaV northward about 7,500 years ago leaving behind Lake in villages wíthin either the Easf Reserye (18741 or West Reserye (f 875), These reserves were large tracts of land geographical history and the impact which this nafural Winnipeg, Lake Winnipegosis, Lake Manitoba and a held by the Dominion Government of Canada for the landscape has had in shaping Manitoba's human settle- host of smaller lakes in low-lying areas (Têller and Clay- exclusive settlement by Mennonites. The name of each reserve was simply a reflection of its location relative to the ment. This then provides the context for the Mennonite ton, 1983). As a result ofthe nafural processes of depo- Red River. Map by W Schroeder rn Mennonite Historical Atlas

The Natural Landscape 2l sition and sedimentation associated with this huge in- vide a naturally elevated transportation platform as well land glacial lake, today's Red River Basin (located along as suitable construction fiIl. the western edge of the southeastern Manitoba region) The soil types in southeastern Manitoba are varied is one of the flattest places on earth. indicative of the region's location on the interface be- Centrally-located within southeastern Manitoba, tween the lacustrine (lake-deposited) soils of the Red Steinbach and the surrounding area is generally quite River Valley and the soils derived from a parent mate- level at an elevation of 260m (850 feet) ASL, and ex- 'rial of glacial till. The loamy lacustrine deposits west tends in a gradual downward slope from southeast to of Steinbach are associated with the dominant soil se- northwest. Fine-grated lake sediment, clay, silt and sand ries of Glenella, Red River and Osborne Clays. Each deposited by Lake Agassiz can be found ranging in of these soil series is similariy developed on moderate

depth from 4.6 to 79m (15 to 26 feet) over bedrock to sft on g calcare ous (lime- c ontaining) clay ey, lacustrine within the town itself. East and southeast of Steinbach, deposits. They therefore drain poorly, have slow to the geology of the region changes dramatically. Here, moderate surface runoffand permeability, and are fur- an abrupt rise in elevation to 320m (i050 feer) ASL ther characterized by a high \,vater table. Southeast of denotes the Southeastern Lake Tenace - a prominent Steinbach, Peian, Poppleton and Nourse Soils are the beach ridge deposited by Lake Agassiz and revealed dominant glacial till deposits. All of these soil series foilowing its fural recession. Glacial till and giacial- consist of imperfectly drained soils with slow to mod- fluvial deposits are evident in this region accompanied erate runoffand moderate to moderately rapid penne- Soils map of the Easú Reserye (present-day Rural Municipality of Hanover). Note the prominent gravel ridge by swamp and surface pond conditions. The resultant ability. These soils are developed on coarse loamy or (graphically displayed by horizontal banding), an soils are a historically-significant trail linking Steinbach and the mixture of sand and gravels with peaty and coarse textured (sandy) deltaic, lacustrine deposits over- Mennonite town of Grunthal to the southwest. Map from meadow-like soils in low-lying areas. Throughout iying stony (sometimes loamy), extremely calcareous Soils of the Rural Municipality of Hanover southeastem Manitoba, numerous gravel ridges, depos- glacial till (Hopkins et al., 1993). ited by glacial activity and historically used as rrans- Associated with the distinctive variation in soil types portation corridors, snake across the landscape adding is a diversity of landcover in the southeastern Mani- periodic undulations to an otherwise flat topography. toba region. The lacustrine deposits to the west are Several roads in the region have been built directly upon richer soils with significantly higher agricultural po- significant portions of these gravel ridges, which pro- tential. Here, the landscape has witnessed extensive

22 The Natural Landscape cultivation in the last century, as natural bluestem and natural streams, and sharply contrasting nanow, engi- wild rye prairie grasses have been replaced by inrro- neered ditches, which flow in a more rectilinear geo- duced hybrid species ofgrain and oil crops. Interspersed mefric pattern. pockets of aspen (Populus tremuloides), oak (euercus Steinbach's drainage requirements are served by three macrocarpa) andwillow (Salix sp.) dot the prairie land- 2nd Order branches of the Manning Canal, an example scape. The glacial till deposits to the east are marked of a combined natural and human-engineered drainage by an easily identifiable treeline east of Steinbach where system. This watershed encomp¿Nses an area of490km2 the prairie gives way to Precambrian rock formations (189 square miles) within the Rwal Municipalities of and the Boreal Forest. It is in this transitional zone that La Broquerie, Hanover, Ste. Anne, Tache and Richot. the agricultural potential of the soils is very limited, The main branches were built over a period of several and a mixed upland forest of aspen (populus decades (beginning in the early 1900s) to serve the needs tremuloides), oak (Quercus macrocarpa) and conifer- of area farmers whose farmland was poorly drained. In ous species such as spruce (Picea glauca), pine (pinus an attempt to drain marshes and swampy lands, con- This map from 1874 best approximates the topographical banlSeine River and the for farmers. Warkentin further notes that by 1956, Seine River Diversion. Each flows in a northwesterly "Forfy-one miles of constructed drainage ditches direction before emptying into the Red River sourh of drained the run-off from [the Rural Municipality of] the city of Winnipeg. These watersheds are typicaily Hanover's lands and otherwaters that followedthe natu- made up of a combined system of broad, meandering ral contows of the land. In addition, many road-side

The Natural Landscape 23 ditches had been designed to assist in farm land drainage" (Warkentin, 7971,67). While the main branch of the Manning Canal is a provincial waterway, the various sub-branches fall within the jurisdiction of the Ru_ ral Municipalities, such as Hanover. Before emptying into the Red River south of Winnipeg, the Manning Canal watershed drains into the Seine River Diversion south of present-day lle des Chênes.

History of Human Settlement

The southeastern Manitoba region has been inhabited by nomadic groups of First Nations peoples since the final recession of Lake Agassiz some time after 75008.P. These tribes were most likely descendants of Asian hunters, who had crossed the Bering Land Bridge, and included the ancestors of the Cree, Ojibway and Assiniboine lndians, who later occupied the region of the Red River Valley (and with whom the Mennonites later came into regular contact). Following the migra- tory routes of bison and other large mammals upon which they depended for sustenanÇe, these tribes found a home in the North American interior. Whiie sunmer activities took place upon the open prairie in many cases, the Parkland region and the densely treed Boreal For- The Manning canal watershed, encompassing est 490.15 km'z (189.25 sq. mires), as registere d in 1974. ,"0 ofthe Canadian Shietd provided shelter for many of Manitoba Deparfment of Mines, Resources coun""rã" ,.*Ã * and Ènvironmentat'uanigement: water Resources Branch the FirstNations Peoples during the cold winter months.

24 The Natural Landscape European contact with the province took place near pany to the Earl of Selkirk for an agricultural settle- the end of the 17th century when explorers, such as the ment. This substantial parcel was known as the Englishman Henry Kelsey, first travelled across Mani- Assiniboia Grant. Land division for the purposes of toba's northern frontier and penetrated the interior seftlement was accomplished beginning in 1813 with plains. In 1670, the Hudson,s Bay Company was the use of the river lot system - a technique of land granted an exclusive monopoly of Rupert,s Land (all surveying adapted from the French long-lot surveys lands draining into Hudson Bay) in the lucrative fur along the St. Lawrence Lowlands in Lower Canada. trade. This marked the onset of inland exploration west Lots were generally 229 m (750 feet) wide by 3.2kFort Gibraltar at the junction of n 1912). Those regions beyond the previously-sur- the Red and Assiniboine Rivers (the future site of Win- veyed river-lots were now surveyed utilizing a differ- nipeg), later to be replaced by the Hudson,s Bay Com_ ent tech¡ique. Adapted from a similar sysrem used in pany's Upper Fort Garry. In 18i1, a 300,439 km2 the United States, the Dominion Government began to (i16,009 square mile) parcel of land within the Red superimpose a one-squa¡e-mile sectional grid across the River Valley was granted by the Hudson's Bay Com- prairie landscape oriented in the cardinal directions,

The Natural Landscape 25 regardless ofnaturai features such as river Russian Mennonite farmers, for whom the Reserves had valleys and land formations. This, to- been exclusively reserved. At this time, the notion of getherwith the Homestead Act whichpro- Reserve on the Canadian prairies was a reference fo "a vided one quarter section of land to each contiguous tract of land set aside by the Dominion Gov- pioneer famil¡ set the framework for con- ernment for a certain number of years for the exclusive tinued agricultural settlement in Manitoba. occupation by a homogeneous group of settlers, to be Many Europeans accepted the invitation divided according to their own plans" (Francis, 7955, to come to a new land of opportunity, and 61). The East Reserre,whichcurrently coincides with joined others such as the French and Métis the Rural Municipality ofHanover, was comprised of 8 (those of combined French and Aborigi- townships in southeastern Manitoba. It had been hast- nal descent) homesteaders who were al- ily surveyed in 1872 n anticipation of the Mennonite ready well-established. Agricultural set- migration, and iilustrated the standardized square-mile tlements soon began to spring up across grid survey system. David Sadler, Deputy Surveyor the prairies. One ofthe eariiest settlements forthe Dominion Government of Canada, provides this of this period took place from 1869-1874 sunrmary description of Township 6 Range 6E (the East when small groups of Scottish settlers Reserve township in which Steinbach was later settled) (many having lived in southem Ontario for in his field notes dated September 28 to October 23, a short time) settled in the area directly 1872: north of present-day Steinbach. They Township 6 Range 6E is nearly alto- named the area "Clearsprings" for the gether covered with bush. abundance of clean, clear water springs, At one time it has been thickly and came to be known, themseives, as the wooded with large poplar and tamarac. Clearsprings Settlers Bluffs that have escaped the fire still The years 1874-75 markedthe establish- remain, the timber in which is of suffr- Township 6 Range 6 East, located in the northeast corner of the Easf cient size for building purposes. ment of the East and West Reserves in Reserve, was surveyed by David Sadler in the fall of 1872. The central core The chief portion of the township of the village of Steinbach was established in Section 35 in 1874. Note the Manitoba by the Dominion Government surveyor's landcover annotations, and the names of homesteaders added however is covered with Small thick later. Map from the Provincial Archives of Manitoba and the mass migration of large groups of poplar and willow second gowth.

26 The Natural Landscape The Surface of the Township is Roll- of German Lutherans and ljkrainian settlers soon set- ittg. tled south of Steinbach. Despite their insular village The land is of poor [agricultural] structure quality. The sections bordering on the and belief system, the Mennonite families, who base are low and swampy. The extreme established Steinbach and nearby villages, maintained western tier are unfit for settlement positive economic relations with their neighbours of being covered with large boulders. non-Mennonite descent, and were greatly helped by the The Soil in general is lighr and is generosity of the French, Métis and Clearsprings mixed with Sand and Gravel. The Set- tlers during their formative Sections most desirable for Settlement years in Canada. Located 5 miles north of Steinbach in Blumenort, are 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 23rA4, 25, 26, 27 NoW more than a century later, the region of south- Manítoba, Penner Farm Services specializes in the irog, dairy and poultry industries, and28 being chiefly prairie; within a thriving agricultural the Soil eastern Manitoba remains sparsely settled with sector. Photo by author good; and free from Stone. Steinbach, the largest community in the province east To the South and west of these Sec- of the Red River, tions there are large Bluffs of building acting as the regional centre for ap- timber and excellent hay land. proximately 50,000 people. The multicultural flavour of the region is maintained by a host of smaller sur- Unlike natural conditions of the West Reserve (es- rounding communities whose inhabitants are predomi- tablished one year larer), highly variable soil types in nantly of French, Mennonite, Ukrainian and German the East Reserve coupled with extensive swamplands Lutheran descent. The primary economic activity which and significant vegetative cover made farming ex- sustains the area continues to be agriculture and related Loewen tremely challenging Windows, a major employer in Steinbach, is a for early settlers. The vast major- spin-off industries. Light industry. manufacturing and large window manufacturer with an international reputation. Photo by author ity of the East Reserve simply did not lend itself as a broad range of retail services also contribute signifi- readily to the agricultural practices formerly adopted cantly to the region. by the Mennonites in Russia. What gradually evolved in the region, after many painstaking years of trying to replicate a Russian agrarianmodel, was an early form of mixed farming. When the Reserves were later opened for general settlement by other culturai groups in 1898, small groups

The Natural Landscape 27 5.0 Experiencing a New Land ing Mennonite pioneers within it. Over time, these experiences (and particularly the re-telling of these expe- The previous two chapters have presented a history riences) reflected a particular interpretation ofthe natu- of the Mennonite people, and a description of the Ca- ral surroundings - of a Mennonite farming village strung nadian prairie which they entered at the end ofthe 19th out along three small creeks in the Canadian prairie. century. A re-telling of their past has not only pro- Through the act of experiencing this physical landscape, vided a clearer picture of who Mennonites are, but has the pioneers sought purpose and meaning as place was also demonstrated the relationship which existed be- revealed. tween the Mennonite human landscape and the natural landscapes which these people inhabited. Accompa- 5.1 A Village Emerges nying each change in locality, the unique physical characteristics of each natural environment provided new The village of Steinbach, Manitoba was founded in challenges and opportunities for the pioneers ofthe day. the fall of 1874 as a small party of Kleine Gemeinde In response to these physical changes, the human land- Mennonites determined a suitable location to settle. scape - a way of life embodying traditions, values and This group of 18 families comprised 80 pioneers, al- customs which made (and continues to make) the most half of whom had formerly lived in Steinbach, Mennonites a distinctive people - was suitably adapted Borosenko, a daughter colony of the larger Molotschna to reflect the change in setting. As these pioneers were colony in ImperialistRussia (see Appendix B for a brief up-rooted from their Russian villages and entered the chronology of "Steinbach" settlements). Followiog an East Reserve ofsoutheasternManitoba, they were once arduous seven week journey by steamship, train, agarn challenged to plant their distinctive roots in new riverboat, oxcart and foot, these weary travelers landed soil. at the confluence ofthe Rat and Red Rivers, about 35km A monument, located at the junction of the Rat and Red Rivers 35 km south of Winnipeg, This chapter provides a history of Steinbach settle- south of Winnipeg on September commemorates the site of 13,1874. After dis- the first landing of Mennonite settlers in western Canada ment - an examination of a people shaping the land and embarking from the S. S. International riverboat on the in 1874. Photo by author the land shaping a people. As such, it recounts f,rst- east side of the Red River, the Mennonites traveled an hand impressions of this region of the East Reserve, additional 8 km by foot to immigration sheds. These and the everyday life experiences of some ofthe found- temporary shelters had been hastily built in anticipa-

Experiencing a New Land 29 tion of the arrival of the first group of Mennonites two tuü Fpl¡f Å fr frrbg @ pode Scottish origin who had settled from 1869-1874), and j & vrh I months earlier, near the present-day town oflr{iverville. I sandy, rocþ soil to the south which offered little agri- iffin From here, scouting groups made prairie with low pra¡rie w¡th brush l¡h reguiar trips within cultural potential. The township had been hastily sur- willow the East Reserve to evaluate the land and determine veyed between September 28 and October 23,7872, I

I suitabie iocations for village settlements. The small and had been registered with the Dominion Lands Of-

I Section i agricultural village of Steinbach was founded in the f,rce on January I, 1873. In the interests of securing northeast corner of the East Reserve on September 23, shelter in late fall, the Mennonites looked no further, 1874. and quickly established the village of Steinbach, with prairie with tall prairiê w¡th tall weeds weeds The particular group of Kleine Gemeinde who chose section 35 as its centre. [þptE þuh the Steinbach locationwere among the iast of the 1874 According to the original maps and survey notes, immigrants to arrive in Manitoba. The process of find- section 35 was largely clear prairie with bluffs of aspen itrg an optimal village location often took several weeks, and willow found throughout, particularly in the south- *",,""*iff*i,ååiI$.# but with the added incentive of a cold winter quickly east quadrant. This suggestion of "ciear prairie" in the DGwng øpil€d by aúhorfrm sketdles ol Sdton 3S-g€E. approaching, the new immigrants did not have the survey notes appears to disclaim the impressions held F¡eld Notês ot Towhip 6 RanEs 68, D.sadrer.D.s. Manitoò" É"qJjl î;l luxury of a significant period of time. Foremost on by various Steinbach residents, such as Gerhard G. their minds were simple concerns of survival - gather- Kornelsen, a Steinbach school teacher. The foilowing Section 35 Township 6 Range 68, the future core of the Steinbach settlement. ing food and building a shelter for their families and is an excerpt from a series of articles about Steinbach livestock. Additionally, since much of the land had ai- settlement published by Kornelsen in the spring of 1 9 1 6: ready been claimed or reserved by others for family In the other settlements (villages) the and friends, the Steinbach Kleine Gemeínde sefflers pioneers had chosen sites with both were left with the only tract of land which was large wooded and prairie areas, and conse- enough to supporr ail of them (Plett, 1996). This re- quently the choice spots had been gion was the northeast quadrant of township 6, range ciaimed by the eariier arrivals. Even the 6E, which was on the eastern edge of the East Reserve, Blumenorters [five miles north of Steinbach] had been able to secure quite farthest from the landing site and commercial centre of a bit of prairie land, but only bush and Winnipeg. The area was further squeezed in between more bush, was evident where the the Clearsprings settlers to the north (immigrants of Steinbachers were to settle. Though we

30 Experiencing a New Land cannot describe this area as a large tion interiors w¿rs then made. Assuming this survey forest, yet it \ryas more or less covered technique was also used in this instance, the accuracy with both small and large poplar frees of the spalse topographic and land coverage field notes of which, however, many were dead. This left a fairly desolate picture to the perfaining to the pre-settlement interior of section 35 observer. It seemed, however, that no could be challenged. The f,reld notes taken by David other piece of land was available that Sadler, Deputy Surveyor with the Dominion Govern- was suitable for a village plan seule- ment of Canada, do, however, provide some useful in- ment. It was granted that there were quarter sections available that wouid formation where the northern and eastern section bound- have been more suitable for farmers ary lines traversed the landscape. Within Section 35, using the modern system of farm own- he notes the presence of a small marsh in the southeast ership, but few of these immigrants had corner of the southeast quadrant, and a slightly larger the will to settle by themselves in this marsh in the northwest corner of the northwest quad- wildemess (Plett, 1990, 255). rant. Here, significant stands of poplar and willow are The apparent contradiction between this account and identified on either side. Assuming this to be the cen- the survey notes, with respect to landcover, is perhaps tral founding creek upon which Steinbach was settled, explained by the factthat the Mennonites had just emi- it appears that a healthy riparian corridor existed at this grated from the treeless steppes of southern Russia, and time. An even earlier indicator of the creek's presence A map of southeastern Manitoba outlining the surveys completed by 1871. Note the identification (although were therefore unaccustomed the presence to of even is found on a map of southeastern Manitoba showing inaccurately drawn) of a creek flowing through 35-6-6E. small clumps of trees. Having traveled from the west- the land surveys completed by 1871. While this map is Map from Historical Atlas of Manitoba ern edge ofthe Reserve to the eastern border, they would primarily concerned with the 4-township grid (later have also r,vitnessed a steady increase in tree coverage subdivided into sections and eventually quarter-sec- as they ventured closer to the Canadian Shield. Addi- tions), it identifies the location, although inaccurately, tionally, since the method of surveying was primarily of a small creek diagonally bisecting Section 35 of concerned with the accuracy of the section lines, a de- Township 6, Range 6E. t¿iled survey of landscape features was on-ly noted along This small creek, paralleled on either side by two the perimeter of the sections. This was the location additional creeks, formed the backbone of settlement from which a general reconnaissance survey ofthe sec- for the early Steinbach immigrants. (It is signihcant to

Experiencing a New Land 31 note that the name "Stein-bach" is a German word aligning themselves with the creeks in this unique set- meaning "stoney brook". While this name was clearly tlement pattern, the Steinbach settlers sought an equi- brought with the settlers from Russia - 39 of them had table distribution of good and marginal lands, open prai- earlier lived in Steinbach, Borosenko - it does not ne- rie and adequate tree coverage for fuel, and equal ac- gate the presence ofthe "stein Bach" in Manitoba. The cess to the creeks for daily water needs. The central presence of the creeks and the historical connection creek, in particular, was directly responsible for the together made this name selecrion that much more ap- town's orientation, and, together with the Strafiendorf

propriate). As mentioned earlier, rather than conform system, s i gnificantly impacted Steinbach's morpho logy. to the sectional grid which was systematically laid In laying out theirvillage, the Steinbach Mennonites across the prairies in its cardinal orientation, many began by coilectiveiy signing a village agreement Mennonite settlers within the East and West Reserves among themselves, and establishing a village district sought 'naturaf indicators such as elevated gravel ridges made up oftheir individually registered quarter-section and creek beds to establish their farmsteads. This same homesteads. As the Reserve status from the Dominion strategy was also employed in Steinbach. Government had granted, the Mennonites were ex- Although "the particular land area was not sufüciently empted from only settling on even-numbered sections uniform in quality to lend itself to a uniform distribu- (a requirement for individual homesteaders, since odd- tion ofpopulation centres," the Mennonites of the East numbered sections were reseryed for railway grants), Reserve nevertheless chose to replicate the village sys- and were allowed to settle in block settlements. The tem previously adopted in Russia (Epp, 1974,2I2). resultant adjacency of their individual holdings greatly Steinbach's original village pattern can therefore be sim- facilitated the establishment of the village district. In ply understood as a cultural geography transpianted and determining the boundaries of this village district, "the adapted from the fundamentally similar steppes of the Mennonite pioneers had to do some careful surveying Ukraine to a new physical landscape. In addition to the and figuring so ¿rs to fit the precise number of prospec- French river-lots and the Dominion Government's sec- tive villagers to the available surrounding area, meas- tional grid with quarter-section homesteads, the Menno- ured in terms of quarter-sections to be taken up by each nites now contributed a third form of settlement typol- of them" (Francis, 1955, 65). As the accompanying A memorial, found in Steinbach's Pioneer Cemetery identifies the founding pioneers. Photo by author ogy - the "street village" or Stra/Sendorf system. By map illustrates, the Steinbach village district encom-

32 Experiencing a New Land passed five sections (or the equivalent of 20 quarter- sections) of land. This represented one quarter-section Field Pattern of Steinbach, Manitoba granted to each of the 18 families, with an additional .,rñ'\, 0 '!J two quarter-sections purchased by two ofthe wealthier Mites families. The 160-acre (65-hectare) parcels given to each family Section Line unit compared favorably with the 175-acre - (7l-hectare) plots which had been allotted for each fam- Boundary of Flur -. Lots ily in Russia. (As in every other township, 3/4 of Sec- Village Street tion26 was granted to the Hudson's Bay Company, by :- Main Roads the Dominion Government, as a form of compensation - -- Field Roads for ceding Rupert's Land. The remaining quarter-sec- A Arable Gewanne tion was registered to Gerhard Warkentin, one of B Protective Strips Steinbach's founding members. However, when the C Pasture Steinbach village district boundary was established, this D Odd Corners quarter-section was not included, Source: John Warkentin. for a reason unknown The Geograph¡cal Rey/ew, Juty 1 959 redrawn by author to the author. The total viilage land area appearing on many maps is therefore only 19 quarter-sections). The village dístrict of Steinbach utilizing its European Straßendo¡f ("street village") settlement pattern. After the pioneers pooled their lands, a central av- deep, were divided up according to numbers randomly enue (Main Street) 99 feet (30 m) in width and more drawn by the settlers, who then traded among them- than one mile (1.6 km) long was aligned parallel to the selves to live alongside relatives and preserve their "kitl- central creek in a southeaslnorthwest orientation, thus ship enclaves" (Loewen, 1993). (It is interesting to note diagonally bisecting the grid at about 45 degrees. per- that 12 of the original 18 pioneer families represented pendicular to the east side ofMain Street, nventy 5 and only three extended families. These th¡ee 'clans' were 6-acre (2 and2.S-hectare) farmyards called Fíastriden reflected in the patterning of three distinctive zones of ("the place ofthe hearth") were then established so that the Steinbach village sefilement (Loewen, 1993)). Two the creek flowed through each farmyard. The lots, ap- of the wealthier Mennonite families (Klaas R. and Steinbach's Main Street as it appeared in the years immediately following original settlement. Photo from proximately 220 feet (67m) wide 1000 and feer (305m) Katharina Reimer and Franz and Margaretha Kroeker) Steinbach: ls there any place like it?

Experiencing a New Land 33 occupied double lots thereby bringing the total to z0 We piled the sods in layers 3 feet high farmyards. The lots on the west side of Main Street and set two small windows on the ground. Then we drove mirrored those on the east side, with the exception that into the bush in order to get wood for the rafters... The they were considerably longer, encompassing ten acres roof of the house was covered with in area. These long, narrow strips of farmland were reeds. Fifteen feet of the building was owned by the same settlers whose farmyards were found Iined with boards and the other fïfteen directly across the central Main street. The remaining feet had only a roof of reeds. This end was to be designated for the cattle. arable land surrounding the village site was organized Then we also made some hay, but it into different fields called Koagels,each of which was was all frozen. One evening we were subdivided into individual strips. In addition ro their surprised by a prairie flre. For protec- farmyards, farmers were allotted one strip in each tion against the flre we quickly plowed A semlin, hastily constructed a from layers of sod, was the Koagel thereby ensuring an equitable strip of land, in the course of which first shelter for most distribution in the of the Steinbach Mennonites during we had to turn over the sods with our their first winter in Manitoba. Small as it was, the semlin quality of land and its proximity to rhe household. Flow_ sheltered not only the family, but the livestock hands, almost working ourselves to as well. ing through these na'.ow strips This replica is found at the Steinbach Heritage Museum. of land, two additionai death in the process. However, our Photo by author creeks provided water and facilitated drainage of the "Serrei" fsemlin] was saved. fields. Woodland and a common pasture surrounded Now winter had anived. So we the arabie land. moved into the ark with our cattle and began to feed them. It became evident, As winter quickly approached, the Steinbach pioneers however, that this hay had no nutri- had little time to establish the elaborate housing forms tional value; the cattle couid not eat it. found in their viilages and estates left behind in south- Forfunately we were able to buy some hay and save the ern Russia. Instead, they built small, simple homes cattle from starvine to death. However, we did not have which were literally carved into the prairie soii. Klaas enough hay, and because ofthe scarcity W. Reimer, a L3-ye¿u-old boy in lgT4,later recalled of feed, the cattle also suffered more these personal memories ofthe flrst fall and winter spent from the cold. Finally we took our tent in Steinbach: canvas and covered the cattle with it. Also we began to give two slices of First we dug a hole in the ground 3 bread daily to each ox and cow. Thus feet deep, 30 feet long and 14 feet wide. we forfunately got through the winter 34 Experiencing a New Land and got the cattle through as well. The between the various strips owned by the same farmer latter had, however, been affected so and the resultant time badly by the frost that some oxen lost lost in travel were also prob_ their tails, others their horns. Some lematic. "As the population rose around the turn ofthe animal's legs were so badly frozen - century, families were often forced to make a choice - right up to the knees - that they had to either concede their second generation to the towns be butchered (Pletr, lgg0,l2B). or establish them on lands outside the village bounda_ ries. The latter was much less a break with established Following a first difihcult winter which was both ways than the former" (Loewen, lgg3, 144). The longer and colder than that to which they had been Anabaptist ideal of separation from the world had previously accustomed, the ambitious Mennonite pio- been secured in isolated agricultural villages in prus- neers constructed more permanent shelters ofwood, and sia and Russia, and continued to be idealized in the began cultivating the arable fields surrounding their North American context. In addition, the Kleíne Ge- new homes for the flust time. The StraJJendorf layout meinde brethren were further instructed to .,keep to secured the close proximity of helpful neighbours, the most humble state, that of the farmea [which] is which greatly facilitated the difficult work of getting the most conducive in maintaining the genuine simplici- established. The creeks provided an adequate water ty of Christ" (Loewen,1993, 57). Rather than compro- supply for the cattle and reasonable drainage for the mise their faith, the Kleine Gemeinde pioneers of village district, while the nearby woodlots provided Steinbach jointly agreed to dissolve rhe open fieid ample building material. After a number ofyears, how_ system, as many other Mennonite villages had already ever, an expanding population began to outgrow the done, and to move to individually-registered quarter- A bírd's-eye-view of Steinbach as it exists today, looking boundaries of the village southeast district. As a result of the sections, thereby securing new sources along its Main Street. Several short segments of farmland of the central founding often large Mennonite families, surplus creek are visible near the top left lands were and safeguarding an agrarian way of tife for fi.rture gen- corner ofthe picture. Photo by author soon taken up by the succeeding generation of farmers, erations. and land subdivision was no longer feasible. Addition- In 1910, the open field system in Steinbach was of_ ally, advances in farming techniques and the develop_ ficially abolished as the need for more land arose. ,.In ment of larger farming equipment made the long nar- September 1910, the village council hired surveyors row Koagel impractical. The considerable distances from Winnipeg to map the village, register its side sûeets

Experiencing a New Land 35 and town lots, and provide the owners with legal title pioneers of Steinbach, like many other European im- to those lots" (Loewen, 1993 ,2Il). A unique feature migrants, were an agraúanpeople with a fundamental about Steinbach's new survey was that it began with connection to the land. Daily life events were intrinsi- the already-existing settlement morphology. Rather cally linked to ;t the natural landscape, as weather and ii \ll ---[- than eliminating the original lot formation, the integ- seasonal cycles guided the patterns of experience. 1-, :l-, rity of the sffeet village was maintained by simply I --; sub- Sp.ittg brought new life To the farmyard and was a time _;- dividing existing properties. According to Delbert Plett, for seeding the arable land. Summer invoived nurfur- locai historian and editor ofthe Hanover Steinbach His- ing the fields and gardens to produce the rich crops har-

torical Society Newsletter, P re s erv ings, " Steinbach was vested during the fall. Winter provided an opporfunify the only major communitv in the East Reserve founded to venture into the frozen woodlots by sieigh and bring n 1874 which remained in its original location. Other back timber for the following year's buiiding projects. communities such as Blumenort, Grunthal and Kleefeld, This was the annual rh¡hm of life for these pioneers. relocated after 1910 when the Strassendorf communal In a typical journal entry from 1895, Klaas R. Reimer, system of land holding was dissolved" (Plett, a leading merchant and prominent pioneer businessman Preservings, December 1996,2). Evidence ofthe origi- in Steinbach, outlines the interdependence ofhumanity nal street village pattern in Steinbach remains clearly and nature in this context: evident today as the majority of streets and avenues are aligned either parallel or perpendicular to the south- May 4. Planted the eariiest potatoes. 1 pound costs one dollar, they are sup- easlnorthwest orientation of Main Street (and the found- posed to be ready for eating in 33 days. ing creeks). Newer subdivisions, however, in the nonh- Had the brown mare bred by Kornelius east and southeast corners of Section 35, as weil as Fast's stallion. Planted 1000 cabbage Steinbach's layout as it appears today. streets and homes built outside ofthe section. have been plants. The plum trees are blooming. oriented to the sectional grid. Finished planting all the potatoes. May. 9. Our son David was born, all well and chipper. May i0. Frost ice as thick as a 5.2 Steinbach and lts "Spirit of Place" pane of glass. May 11. Frost again one quarter inch thick. The seeding is fin- During the village's formative years, the Mennonite ished (Plett, 1990, 125).

36 Experiencing a New Land The natural landscape wasn't simply the context the creation of Steinbach's unique settlement morphol- within which these events took place, but rather a di- ogy. Two of these, the family and church life, have rect contributor to the formation of these events. The abeady been alluded to earlier. The third, social struc- unique climate, soil conditions and physical features ture, is what many have termed Steinbach's "entrepre- guided the activities which occurred there. The flat neurial spirit". Each of these components of the hu- prairie grassiand, dense clumps of poplar, slow, mean- man landscape is briefly outlined below. dering streams and an endless horizon played a crucial Priorto theirmass migration, the Russian Mennonites and definitive role in developing the psyche of this pio- had developed close-knit communities and strong kin- neer coûtmunity. Whether this was consciously real- ship ties in which "the nuclear famil.v. or domestic group, ized or simply a part ofthe subconscious underpinning was the central organizing unit..." (Loewen, lgg3,3). The Evangelical Mennonite of the community Church, historically the Keine is dif;ficult to determine. One won- Partially, this had been a defense mechanism from the Gemeinde, is located on Steinbach's Main Street. photo by ders, author for example, what Heinrich Brandt or Anna threat of nomadic bandits, but additionally the Kleine Barkman experienced as they gazed across the prairie Gemeinde and other Mennonite groups were able to in search of their cattle huddled in a muddy swale of a preserve their cultural heritage and strong Anabaptist creek. What stories could the Reimer children share of faith through this organization. IJpon settling in Mani- hard work in the summer sun, wildflower picnics on a toba, the Steinbach Kleine Gemeinde additionally rec- Sunday afternoon or a refreshing dip in the nearby ognized the importance ofthe famity farm as the means stream where the water formed a small pool? Although of production to secure a livelihood. Since the irregu- many of these questions will remain unans\ryered, the lar soils ofthe East Resert¡e made large-scale crop farm- fact remains that the natural landscape played an inte- ing very diffrcult, what naturall,"- evolved was a form of grai role ,,spirir in the shaping of Steinbach's ofplace,'. subsistence agricultural in which the household was the Through interaction with Steinbach's natural land- primary unit ofproduction (e.g. eggs, butter, milk). This The Steinbach Mennonite Church located on Loewen scape, the human landscape has, of course, confributed served to add economic responsibiliq,* and importance Boulevard in Steinbach. Photo by author invaluably to Steinbach's "spirit of place,'as well. In to the family structure. As suggested above, the his book, tamily, Church & Market, Royden Loewen Mennonite family generational structure was also re- outlines threeprimary social structures whichhave both sponsible for the "kinship enclaves" in Steinbach's shaped and been shaped by the natural landscape, in Stra/Sendoy'settlement. Even today, the names of streets

Experiencing a New Land 37 and businesses continue to reflect the family names of 161). An acceptance of the railroad would have had Steinbach's founding pione ers S.eimer, Friesen, B randt, profound, far-reaching implications for the future set- Barkman, Giesbrecht, Kroeker...). tlement pattern of Steinbach. A second signif,rcant social structure underpinning During the early years of settlement, the life of sim- the community of Steinbach was the A¡abaptist faith plicity also deiegated sports as extraneous to human embodied within the Mennonite church. As Loewen development formembers ofthe Kleine Gemeinde com- Fairway Ford, the first Ford dealership in Western Canada maintains, "The church was by far the most important in 1914, credits its founding to Steinbach pionee¡ Jacob R. munity. Work - hard work - was understood to be the Friesen. Photo by author institution ofearly village life. The ideas that had given best and only form of exercise necessary. Gerald Wright birth to the Kleine Gemeinde in Russia were brought to reports that "as recently as 1937 the largest and most Manitoba. The church was to be a simple, caring, vis- influential church in Steinbach - the Kleine Gemeinde ible body of believers. It maintained a rigid control - passed an ofücial resolution condemning parricipa- over new ideas and new ways of living. It actively tion in sports activities as unbecoming the character of sought to keep the community both spirirually and a Christian" (Wright, 1991, 151). The impact of this physically healtþ. It led the believers in a search ro condemnation upon organized sports was the severe lack understand life and prepare for the Judgement" of adequate parks and playing fields for both children Big Freight Systems lnc. is one of three international (Loewen, 1983, 165). In particular, the life of simplic- and adults trucking companies to claim Steinbach as its birthplace. in early Steinbach life. Photo by author ity as expressed in the tenets of the Kleine Gemeìnde Today, church life continues to play asignificantrole faith had a profound impact upon village morphology. in the lives of Steinbachers as evidenced by the more The life of farming was understood to best exemplify than two dozen churches in Steinbach. However, this the humiliry of Christ which, together with an empha- abundance of churches - many of which are not sis on the community of believers, naturaily encour- Mennonite - has had amoderating influence upon many aged the continuation of the previously-adopted farm- of the early, rigid church policies. For example, active ing village. Additionall¡ the Kleine Gemeinde were promotion of and participation in sports is strongiy en- strongly opposed to a railway spur line from the neigh- couraged by most parishioners, and is evidenced by the bouring French village of Giroux "as there is danger in great number ofsporting facilities which have been built Biovail Corporation lnternational, pharmaceuticat a it for us and our children in that company, has made Steinbach its world manufacturing we might become like since the 1950s. headquarters. Photo by author the world in business and lifestyle" (Loewen, 1993, The third social strucfure which has profoundly

38 Experiencing a Nø,v Land shaped Steinbach is its "entrepreneurial spirit". Early panies - ReimerExpress Lines (originally headquartered in Steinbach's settlement history several of its inhabit- in Steinbach), Penner lnternational Inc. and Big Freight ants sought a supplemental income, were unable to ac- Systems Inc. (formerly, South East Transport Systems). quire suitabie agricultural lands, and/or chose to pur- As E.K. Francis maintains, "When the demand for a sue an alternative livelihood to farming. For any vari- major regional trade center finally made itself felt be- ety ofreasons (including the influence of direct contact cause of an increasingpopulation and greater economic with Winnipeg businesses where supplies were pur- prosperity, Steinbach had already established itseif as chased), a number of small-scale businesses began to the unchallenged commercial capital not oniy for the emerge along Steinbach's Main Street. "By the 1890s whole municipality but for a rather extensive hinter- the west side of Steinbach's cenhal street was rapidly land south and east of it" (Francis, 1955,157). being f,rlled with the rented houses ofyoung Mennonite The preceding social structures have demonstrated a families and German Lutheran immigrants who worked vibrant, flowishing human landscape from which the as wage earners and craftsmen" (Loewen, lgg3,I5g). entrepreneurial spirit, in particular, continues to thrive In 1877, the f,rst general store sold Winnipeg merchan- to this day. Through the vigilant efforts of local au- dise on consignment. A flour mill, cheese factory,wood thors and historians, much is known about the and steelworks, sawmiils, and a farm implement deai- Mennonite Kleine Gemeinde - the Steinbach pioneers. ership soon followed. Initially frowned upon by the Extensive work has been done to locate lost pioneer Kleine Gemeinde leadership, these businesses were soon diaries, and research far-reaching family genealogies. understood as necessities. Among the most controver- The Mennonite Heritage Village Museum, a popular sial enterprises, was the establishment of the first Ford tourist attraction, demonstrates the diligent work of dealership in Western Canada in 1974 by Jacob R. many volunteers to preserve historic buildings and ar- Friesen. (Steinbach is now selÊproclaimed as 'the Au- tifacts, in an attempt to remember the founding pio- ¡{ near replica of the windmill built in 1877 by Steinbach tomobile City" with its 10 dealerships). In lieu of a neers and educate their succeeding generations. All of pioneer and millright, Peter K. Barkman. Despite a recent railroad, ambitious entrepreneurs began hauling surplus this work is to be commended. fire, which destroyed this working model, the windmill has become such an important symbol in Steinbach's identiÇ agricultural products (especially milk, cheese and but- By the same token, however, little effor-t has been that plans are currently well advanced for its reconstruction. ter) by horse teams and later by truck. Steinbach now Photo by author, at Steinbach's Heritage made to understand and celebrate the natural landscape Village Museum boasts the formation ofthree international trucking com- within which this human landscape has flourished. As

Experiencing a New Land 39 an equal contributor to place, the unique natural landscape of Steinbach with its founding creeks provides distinctive characteristics which cannot be replicated elsewhere. As Anne Spirn maintains, "A city's natural environment and its urban form, taken together, comprise a record of the interaction between natural processes and human pu{pose over time. Together they contribute to each city's unique identity" (Spirn, 1984, 12). Conscious attempts must therefore be made to re- connect Steinbach and its residents (not in a simply historical sense) with anatural landscape which has pla.ved such a vitai role in the city's formation and early settlement. Only through the synthesis of the human and natural landscapes can a rich, cultural landscape fully achieve its "spirit of place" in Steinbach.

A mural, located at Steinbach Hatchery & Feed Ltd along Steinbach's Main Street, illustrates the historic preservation of Steinbach's vibrant human landscape. photo by author

40 Experiencing a New Land 6.0 Exploring Steinbach's Creeks 19ü and early 20ù centuries. This recounting ofhistory is not to suggest a revival of Steinbach's agrarian roots As Steinbach has sprung from a small agricultural and original village form. Such a purpose could not be village into a thriving commerciai city and regional trade repeated, nor should it be. Rather, this richhistory pro- centre, it has been demonstrated that the growth of the vides the building blocks, rationale and the impetus to human landscape and its associated activities has clearly explore new and expanded uses for the historically sig- overshadowed the significance of Steinbach's natural nificant creeks. The opportunity arises for the creeks landscape. Large-scale economic expansion has been to once again become the vehicle with which to pro- focused upon the construction of new homes, roads, vide a deeper, more meaningful connection to place. commercial and industrial buildings. This growth is a The challenge now lies in recognizing the changing vital part of maintaining a healthy, vibrant community, imagery associated with this unique landscape and al- but constitutes, in itself, only a portion of a communi- lowing for its on-going transformation. ty's quality of life and its "spirit of place." While the The foilowing account begins with a discussion of human landscape has effectively flourished, the cultural several distinct images associated with a generic creek landscape, in ffue recognition of place, demands the environment. The acknowledgement is made that there natural landscape as its context. The natural landscape are many different ways to interpret the simple flow of which has given shape to Steinbach's human endeav- a stream, as its characteristics change significantly from ours and built environment has been lost in this proc- one bend to the next. It is important to outline these CSS. images in order to explore the tremendous diversity of It is at this point that our attention is drawn to potential opportunities which exist in Steinbach's Steinbach's formative creeks. Even though they pres- creeks, all of which add richness to the experience. ently exist as manipulated fragments ofwhatthey once were, the creeks are nevertheless the only significant 6.1 Pleasures of a Prairie Stream surviving remnants ofpre-1910 life in Steinbach's natural landscape. As outlined above, the creeks, together The prairie stretches forth endlessly from with the StraJJendorf layout, demonstrate a unique cul- horizon to horizon where its various shades of tural adaptation by the Steinbach pioneers of the late yellows, greens and browns give way to an ezure

Exploring Steinbach b Creeks 4l blue sþ. The air is warm and dry - typical of a varieties ofwildlife species all ofwhich are prairìe sutmmer Ground squirrels bask ín the nourished by theflowing waten Again, the creek hot sun, ever mindfttl of the shadow of a passing widens þr a moment allowing theflow ofwater hawk or the patient stalking of a hungryfox. to slow momentarily, only to narrow once more HÌgh above, gulls soar effortlessly across a causing a slight ripple ín the surface. Always cloudless slqt, while a gentle breeze stirs the seeking the path of least resistance, the creek colottrful sea ofwildflowers below. Afew small continues its meanderingform in this alternating bluffi of poplaa with leaves trembling ín the rhythm of ebb andflow - a dynamic lift-givíng warm wind, provide vertical relief to an force pulsing across the prairíe landscape. otherwise horizontal plane. The only other - Poem by author interrttption in this broad expanse of tall-grass Creek as Ifistoric Resource prairie Ìs a green ribbon of willow trees

revealing a small creek lazily winding its way The scene painted by this text is perhaps a somewhat back andþrth across the landscape. At one romanticized version of one which must have greeted point, the creek broadens and ponds slíghtly the Mennonite (and other European) pioneers as they creating a small marsh wetland. Within the entered the Canadian prairies near the end of the 19,h abundance of aquatic life, a red-wìnged century. In the final stage of their journey after a long blackbird perches precarÌously on a bulrush; a trek from overseas, they no doubt paused in reflection pair of mallard ducks float across the open v;ater (amidst the ever-present humming of mosquitoes) along serenaded by a mixed chorus of crickets and numerous creeksides as their oxen drank and rested. frogs. Farther along, the creek, filled to capacie Additionall¡ in the Steinbach senlemenr (not unlike following a recent cloudburst, narrows again other Mennonite villages), the creeks were later inte- and the water moves þrth with a new sense of gral to the formation of the village, and to the function- urgency. It is the carrier of much-needed ing of an agrarian lifesfyle. nutrients to other organisms farther downstream. As with other physical landscapes, a creek environ- The trees and shrubs, flanking the creek on ment provides the natural setting for the creation of either side, provide habitatfor countless experience, ffid may later act as the trigger in loosen-

42 Exp I oring Ste inb ach's Cre e ks ing the memory of experience. It may also be the em- which had elapsed since then. To recount the experi- bodiment of the memory of that experience. Unlike ence involved the restructuring of the historical event other settings, a creek is not static, nor does it have the through memory as triggered by the tree itself. Even ability to remain frozen in time. In its natural flow, it as memories were recalled, new experiences were be- transcends time - encompassing past, present and fu- ing recorded. ture. Through its on-going interaction with human experience, this natural landscape creates new memories Creek as Inspiration while continuing to embrace the historical context of that fust meeting. The following story provides a vivid As the poem above illustrates, a natural creek can illustration of this process: provide a most inspiring landscape. Throughout the When Johann R. Reimer (1848-19i8) ages, moving water - from a mere trickle to a raging settled in Steinbach he found an old oak torrent - has had a mesmerizng and alluring psycho- tree on the banks the of Steinbach creek logical impact upon the human observer. The distant where it crossed his Wirtschaft. It was gurgling of a small creek is an intoxicating sound. As a full and beautifui tree even in 1874. Klaas J. B. Reimer has written that ,the it draws one nearer and captivates the senses, one be- old pioneers are all gone, but the old comes lost in its flow. It is music to the soul and gently oak lives on fin 1965]. Its dark green calming to the spirit. As Anne Spi-, author of The leaves are so beautiful and each sum- Graníte Garden, maintains, "Water is a source of life, mer have provided aioy to humanity, power, comfort, and delight, a universal symbol of pu- (Plett, Pres ervings, December 1996, 43). rification and renewal. Like a primordial magnet, wa- For these pioneers, the tree was more than a simple ter pulls at a primitive and deeply rooted part of human oak down by the creek. It held meaning - a natural natu¡e. More than any other single element... water product ofexperience. This experience had been shaped has the greatest potential to forge an emotionai link by the events and circumstances surrounding their lives between man and nature..." (Spirn, 1984,142). over time. They recalled not only the moment when Flowing water has provided the inspiration for count- they frst experienced the oak, but, more significantly, less poets and musicians over the centuries. It has also the events they had also experienced during the time been the subject of many landscape paintings, and as-

Exploring Steinbach s Creeks 43 sumed a prominent contextual role in the plots of nu- to regain its hold. It is this environment in which birds, merous literary works. In addition, flowing water has nests and garter snakes are found, and ultimately where Ítssumed a position of symbolic significance in many a childhood imagination is unleashed for the greatest cultures, and has been utilized as a deeply meaningful adventures. "When children come along with an em_ religious metaphor - the River of Lífe, for example. bryonic interest in natural history they need free places Throughout this process, the creek (as an example of for pottering, netting, catching, ffid watching" (pyle, flowing water) has moved beyond simply being an ele_ 1993, 148). As Robert þle further suggests, ,,young ment of aesthetic consideration. Its beauty is uncon_ naturalists needthe 'ftophy', hands-on stage before leap_ tested, however, through human interaction, an even frogging to mere looking. There need to be places that greater potential has been realized - it has been imbued are not kid-proofed, where children can do damage and with meaning. come back the following year to see the results" (pyle, 1993, 148). Creek as Outdoor Classroom The memory of childhood spontaneity and discov- ery was once again reinforced for the author while re_ The educational oppornrnities provided by a natural searching this practicum, as he walked along a portion creek and the environment sustains it are unlimited, of the l.{orth Creek which flows through the Steinbach particularly when found in an urban context. Environ_ Fly-in Golf Course and A.D. penner park. Near the mental education is something which happens not only town's outdoor swimming pool, the creek is enhanced in the classroom. As Michael Hough .,Chil- maintains, by ao artesian well to create a iarge pond. At the north- dren learn about life and their environment less by the ern shore, the pond n¿urows significantly as the creek occasional visit to the nature cenfre or the museum than resumes its form, and passes beneath a small foot / cy_ by constant and direct experience in their Two brothers are captured by the lure of the creek in daily suround- cling bridge. It was here that the author encountered Steínbach's A.D. Penner park. The educational benefits ings" (Hough, of 1984,107). Inreflection of life as a child, two young brothers, such an outdoor classroom are tremend ous. photo by perhaps five and seven years of author the most memorable places were not the conventionai age, wading in the creek and poking around the rocks prograrnmed play areas provided by schoolyards and with long sticks, looking for crayfish and other aquaric totlots, but rather the vacant lots, backlanes, and der_ life. Th"y were completely oblivious to his presence elict wastelands where wild nature had been,.allowed,' until he spoke to them. Dressed simply in swimming

44 Exploring Steinbachb Creeks trunks, the boys confirmed his suspicions that they had thousands of streams that were sunk into underground originally come to the swimming pool, but had become storm drains as our cities grew, the former in the present sidetracked by the lure of the creek. They suggested practice of 'daylighting' such streams" (pyle, 1993,22- that there was much more to do at the creek, and that it 23). The 'poem' of which Pyle is speaking is the natu- was alotmore funplaying here than in a box filled with ral stream process which existed long before the creeks water. The boys also hastily assured the author that were sunk underground, and in need of daylighting. their mother had said it was "OK" that they could be An examination of natural stream morphology is a here! By giving the creeks (Central Creeþ inparticular) fascinating study ofthe way in which water flows across a greater presence within Steinbach itsetf, such a valu- the landscape. For example, in its natural patterning, a able learning experience could be a daily occwïence. stream has an average branching habit of 3.5:1. That -:{.---- 1..-.' is, the primary reach of a river or stream is naturaily \ \. Creek as Natural Process '' :t composed of three or four secondary streams, each of which is made up of an additional three or four tertiary The preceding discussions relating to creeks have streams, and so on until the final tributaries (designated taken place from a largely Theoretical anthropocenfric (or human- Order 1 stream segments) become negligibly small. To- watershed illustrating a natural stream branching habit, and the ordering system for designating oriented) perspective. In this sense, the creek is under_ gether, this complete system constitutes the watershed stream segments. Drawing from Stream Analysis and Fish stood in its relationship to the Habítat Design human observerþartici_ ofthatregion. Additionally, along eachreach, the creek pant as an element of aesthetic beauty or as the meas_ channel maintains aparticular geometry in its flow. Re- ure ofhuman activity upon the landscape. Another way gardless of the slope of the landscape, a stream will of understanding a creek is ûom an ecological view_ complete a natural 'S' curve in its meandering at aver- point in which it is recognized as anatural process, apart age intervals of twelve times its width. Steep runs are from human contact. naturally chaructenzed by gentle meanders and a nar- In his book, The Thunder Tree; Lessons From an row channel, while broad meandering streams occur (Jrban Mldland, ,,What Robert Pyle acknowledges that on flat topographies. It is for this reason that rectilin- to one person is a poem and a living thing is, to another, ear, channelized portions of a river or stre¿rm require a mere tube for transporting water and whatever efflu_ continual maintenance to ensure a straight channel, as The natural meandering form of a stream accompanied by alternating pools and riffles. ent it can carry. The latter attitude found its form in the waterways do Drawing from Stream Analysis not naturally conform to this geometry. and Fish Habitat Design 4l

Exploring Steinbachb Creelstripped of its accom- construction of headwater impoundments, siltation, and panying vegetation, which is seen as competition to area domestic and industrial effluents is highly deleterious crops for moisture and nutrients. Without the protec- to these sensitive habitats and their biota and signifi- tive vegetation, macroinvertebrates, fish, reptiies, arn- aantly degrades the quality of adjacent terrestriai habi- phibians, birds and mammals are unable to find shelter tats. Accordingly, these perfurbations insidiously aÊ and survive in this altered environment. Biodiversity qF/ù fect the quality of human life in the region" (Zale et al., has been replaced by a biologically sterile landscape. 'Ì=:F 1989, 38). A creek must be understood as more than Reference map for Central, North and South Creeks, w¡thin simply a collection ofbiological artifacts - aplace where With these images in mind, the reader is now taken context of the c¡ty of Steinbach. Dnwing by author nature is "permitted" to exist seemirgl unhindered. It on ajourney along each of Steinbach's three creeks as is a living system, part of a much larger system. "In they appear today, in order to determine specific, exist- barest terms, a watercourse is defined by the discrete ing site conditions. For the purposes ofthis study, these point ofthe beginning of flow, the clear confluence with waterways, which have not been formally named, are

46 Exploring Steinbach's Creeks simply called the Central, North and South Creeks, in is not easy to determine. While its flow is discernible reference to their respective geographic relationship to in aerial photographs of the interspersed wooded re- the city of Steinbach. Originatittg inthe sandy, peaûnoss gions immediately southeast of Steinbach, the original soils ofthe Aspen Parkland southeast of Steinbacþ these creekbed becomes lost from view. A complicating fac- three creeks constitute aprimary sowce of anorthwest- tor is that the land is generally quite flat, which forces erly-flowing drainage system. the water to pool and continually seek a different flow While Central Creek bisects the one mile section pattern. This lack of significant change in elevation which has become the City proper, North Creek mean- prevents the natural formation of a deeply-incised ders through the Steinbach Fly-in Golf Course norrh of stream channel which could be easily followed, thereby the city and South Creek flows south of Steinbach (atong contributing to the uncertainty of its origin. Addition- the edge of the present landfÏll site). The central and ally, anatural gravel ridge, situated in a northeast-south- northerly branches join approximately one mile north west orientation, cuts across Section 25, Township 6, Bulrushes and reeds denote a small pond along Central Creek near its origin at NW 25-6-6E. Photo by author and Il4 mile west of Steinbach before merging with the Range 6E (25-6-6E) and bisects the source flow of Cen- southerly branch approximately 3 miles north and 3 tral Creek. (As has already been noted above, this gravel miles west of Steinbach. (As the use of imperial units ridge is one segment of an extended ridge which was is a more accurate reflection of the sectional grid sys- an historically significant transportation corridor be- tem, they are used in this form of reference only). It tween Steinbach and Grunthal for early Mennonites). must be noted that while portions of the North, South Whether the source waters of Central Creek percolate and Central Creeks appear to be 'naturaf in their flows through the gravel ridge or are diverted around this ridge and patterning, extensive land drainage and ditch con- from the northeast, it is diff,rcult to determine. In any struction over the last number of decades have readily case, it can be assumed that the Central Creek, like the altered the flow ofthese and many other creeks through- North and South Creeks, has its origin in the Rural Mu- out southeastern Manitoba. nicipality of La Broquerie southeast of Steinbach - an area characterized by marshy swamps, peaty soils, and 6.2 Central Creek a high water table. The Central Creek emerges on a treeless field in the The exact location ofthe source ofthe Central Creek northwest quadrant of Section 25-6-68 on the norrh side

~~Exploring Steinbach's Creel~~

A dry creekbed winds its way through a thick underbrush erty through which the creek flows, presently owned After emerging from the dense cover of brush, the of dogwood, willow and a predominant canopy of by retired councillor Frank B. Klassen, has not been creek trembling aspen. Photo by author winds its way through a small open meadow pres- exposed to any form of development and likely resem- ently utilized by Klassen as a pastue for his horses. bles quite strongly whatthe 1874 Steinbach immigrants The creek bed is wider here and forms a signifîcant would have encountered. As Abe Warkentin maintains, pond each spring - apondmuch enjoyed by the Klassen "The first Steinbach settlers chopped a road through children 30 years ago. As the Central Creek is culverted the brush to build what is today Steinbach's Main Street beneath the highway at the junction ofHespeler Street, inthe fail of 1874" (Warkentin,197I,145). This is still McKenzie Ave., and Main Street (PTH 52), its origi- an accruate depiction of Klassen's property today. The nal path through the town is re-routed to the east side of A slight depression pond - denotes a small a swimming creek lazily winds its way through a thick underbrush Hespeler hole for Steinbach's early settlers. Photo by author Street. What is left of the original Central of dogwood(Cornus sp.), willow (Salìx sp.), and apre- Creek as it enters the town is a slight depression in a dominant canopy of trembling aspen (Populus manicured right-of-way ofgrass between the bacþards tremuloides). Due to the flat terrain, the water pools in of homes on Main Street and Wilson Street. The peri- slight depressions to form small ponds, one of which, odic steel grates along this stretch note the catch basins according to Klassen, was aprime swimming hole used and presence of the storm drain beneath which has re- by the early settlers. Klassen maintains that the creek piaced the Central Creek. As Anne Spirn maintains, flows intermittently - overflowing its banks in the spring "All but the largest creeks and streams of the pre-city melt, and often drying up completely by mid-July. If landscape have vanished from a modern map. Cov-

Frank Klassen walks along a winding path, which parallels one looks carefully, the impressions made by horse- ered and forgotten, old streams still flow through the the Central Creek. He suggests that this path may well drawn sleds years ago is scarcely visible in a winding city buried beneath the ground in large pipes, primary have been one of the Winter roads used by early pioneers to obtain lumber and firewood. Photo by author path which parallels the creek. This may well have channels of a subteffanean storm system. Their muf-

48 Exploring Steinbachb Creeks fled roar can still be heard beneath the street after a As one crosses K¡oeker Avenue, the creek ,.re-sur- heavy rain..." (Spirn, 1984, 130). The right-of-way faces" for the first time, after more than one-third of its crosses Goossen Avenue at the north edge of a condo- in-town journey has already been completed in an un- minium development, continues between the opposing derground land drainage system. Adding to its volume bacþards of additional homes, ffid opens up at K.R. ¿my accumulated flow from "upsffeam", Central Creek Barkman Park, named after a prominent mayor in at this point takes on the character of an intermittent Steinbach's history. A gentle swale coursing its way urban ditch handling local run-off only, and remains through the park is the only suggestion that a creek once dry between periodic rainstorms throughout the sum- flowed here. mer months. As John Warkentin acknowledges, ,,With The diversion and burying of the creek throughout the passage ofyears, the creek, along which the village this approximately 780m (2560,) reach between was originally laid out, has ceased to flow; the ditches Hespeler St. and Kroeker Ave. took place in the late have robbed it of its water, and all that remains is a 1950s and early 1960s as part of Steinbach's waterworks depression, alongside which a boulevarded residential program in full use today. Two artesian wells, drawing street fhas been] constructed" (Warkentin, 1960, 385). from a large limestone aquifer located between 30m Nevertheless, remnants of a natural stream are clearly A slight swale, (98') and 70m (230') underground, were drilled near visible inthe accompanyingvegetation located in the right-of-way between such as the reeds Hespeler St. and K.R. Barkman Park, is the only indication the junction of Main Street and Kroeker Avenue. Two which continually fight to exist despite a regular main- that Central Creek once flowed here. Photo by author underground 545,520L (120 000 gallon) concrete res- tenance regime ofmowing. The creek is restricted from ervoirs, located along Main Street within K.R. Barkman its natural winding form by the presence of Elmdale Park, provide temporary storage for this water. The Drive - a patr of residential streets which parallei the groundwater is then pumped along the right-of-way creek on each side. From this point throughout the rest (identified above) in a large pipe (located beneath the of the town proper, the creek is resfricted to a width of storm drainage system) to a water conditioning facility no more than 2m (6'-6"), and often does not exceed lm and water tower, completed in 1974 and situated at the (3'-3") uniess discharging waters from a spring thaw southeast comer of Steinbach(Town of Steinbach Back_ or a severe rainstorm. Within the confines of Elmdale ground Study). The Central Creek was diverted and Drive, Central Creek gently drifts to the northwest for buried during this construction process. an additional three blocks while flowing through cul- K.R. Barkman Park.

Exploring S teinbach's Creeks 49 verts at each perpendicular street crossing. cant stand ofnatural vegetation encormtered beside open At Reimer Avenue, the creek bends slightly as it winds water within the city, is found beside the creek along its way past the Jake Epp Library and Ernie A. Friesen this brief stretch. At this point, the Central Creek Park. Atthis point (andthroughoutthe remaining blocks abruptly changes to a westerly orientation, and is ac- within the ciry proper), the creek flows through a re- companied by significant reeds and bulrushes. At the cent townscaping project. Centrai Creek is only paral- southwest corner of the Penner lntemational Ltd lot, leled by the south side ofElmdale Drive here until it is the creek is channelled north, culverted beneath forced underground beneath this same street in a long Millwork Drive, and continues in a northerly flow on culvert, which exits on the north side of Elm Avenue. the east side of the recently-decommissioned City of The creek is now on the south side of Elmdale Drive Steinbach lagoon system. Wastewater effiuent from the and flows unhindered until itreaches Brandt Road (pTH lagoon used to be discharged into Central Creek at this I2), at which point the water is culverted once more. point dwing the summer months. Since the creek did Within Steinbach's quadrangle, or central section (35- not provide a continuous flow throughout the year, on- 6-6E), the natural creekbed drops just over 6.5m (21.5,) site effluent storage was required during the winter. Be- in elevation over the course of its 2.25km (1.4 mile) yond the lagoon system, Central Creek maintains a flow. northerly flow parallel to and on the wesr side of pTH On the west side of Brandt Road, Central Creek 12. At this point, it essentially functions as a buffer Central photo Creek at Elmdale Drive. by author emerges briefly amidst an awkward assorûnent of drain- betw'een agricultural land to the west and commercial age pipes, but is immediately culverted once more to properties adjacent to the highway. The creek is then accommodate a small parking area. The creek re- culverted beneath Park Road and turns west for a short emerges and continues its northward flow flanked by reach, before returning to a northward channelled flow small reedbeds between Victoria Plaza and Riverbend at the southwest corner ofthe Clearspring Viilage shop- Realty junction . At its with Loewen Boulevard, Cen- ping mall. Dense reeds and bulrushes accompany the tral Creek is again culverted until exiting on the north creek along this stage of its flow. Directly west of the side, where it is allowed to return to its natural winding Brookdaie Pontiac car dealership and south the Steinbach's recent of townscaping project parallels the form and to continue its gentle flow for CentralCreek past Elmdale Elementary School (on the left a short dis- Friendly Family Farms lagoon system, the Central side of the picture). Photo by author tance. A towering cluster of willows, the first signifi- Creek merges with the North Creek. This combined,

~~50 Exploring Steinbach's CreeÌ~~

flow parallel to each other in a northwesterly direction. the golf course exploits this natural water "ha1aÍd" . A disjointed riparian corridor, ranging from full veg- Continuing its northwesterly flow, the North Creek etation to no vegetation, accompanies both portions of is again enhanced to create a large pond in the A.D. the North Creek through Section 36-6-68. Through sig- Penner recreational park. Dense nafural vegetation is The junction of the Central and North Creeks, directly west nificant augmentation upstream, the northern branch of found here including a large marsh wetland environ- of the Friendly Family Farms lagoon system. Photo by author the North Creek is clearly the larger ofthe two branches. ment, whichprovides habitat fornumerous wiidlife spe- It is classified as a 3rd Order Drain in this segment, and cies. A small dam of assorted riprap is located at the is fed by channelized ditches from as far away as Sec- north edge of this pond before the North Creek is tion 5-6-7E. culverted beneath Park Road. On the north side of this

Exploring Steinbach's Creeks 51 road, the creek continues its meandering through the rection denoting the natural flow of water throughout second nine holes of the golf course, where it is again the region. The South Creek's natural origin has been enlarged in several locations to create water traps for altered, however, to accommodate a ditch flowing di- golfers. The North Creek is culverted beneath a drive- rectly north along a section line for 2-l/2 miles, begin- way and enters the Mennonite Heritage Village Mu- ning 5 miles south of Steinbach. seum grounds. At this point, a small lake is created, After crossing Provincial Road (PR) 303 ar Section assisted by a low concrete and riprap dam. Excess flow l4-6-6E,the channelized ditch begins to flow in anorth- trickles overthe dam where it is culverted beneath four westerly direction, where it is accompaniedby sporadic A small pond and bridge encountered along North Greek, one mile east of the city at Hershfeld Rd. photo by author lanes of Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 12. The vegetation. It remains predominantly rectiiinear in its North Creek re-emerges amidst very dense vegetation, flow pattern at this point. At Section 23-6-68 the natu- including a dominant willow canopy, and maintains a ral flow of the South Creek becomes evident, as it me- westerly flow along the north side of the Brookdaie anders through a more densely freed region. Within Pontiac car dealership, before it is met by the Central the northwest quarter section, the vegetated creek skirts Creek in the southeast quadrant of Section 10-7-68. the west edge of the City of Steinbach Landfill, and continues its northwesterly flow. A naturai stream form 6.4 South Creek is clearly evident in the southwest quadrant A large pond, in the A.D. Penner recreational park, of Section demonstrates the enhancement of North Creek through 26-6-68. Here the riparian corridor contrasts sharply the use of an artesian well. Photo by author The starting point of the South Creek, similar ro the with cultivated fields on either side. As the South Creek origins of the creeks discussed above, is difücult to approaches Steinbach, it is culvertedto the west side of determine. Historically, it acted as a drainage basin for PTH 12 where its flow continues with a full riparian surface ponds and swampy land southeast of Steinbach. corridor for a brief stretch. Here a high water table, flat topography and peaty soil At this point, the South Creek makes its only direct conditions underlain with clay resulted in significant physical contact with the City of Steinbach, and diago- standing water. As evident in aerial photographs of nally bisects the northeast quadrant of Section 27-6- this region, dark-coloured bands, indicating low-lying 6E. This is a recently-developed residential subdivi- Aerial photo of the North Creek, as it flows through the areas and the possible presence of water, are still quite Steinbach Fly-in Golf Gourse and Heritage Village Museum. sion commonly referred to as "The Meadows". Here, Photo by author numerous. They are all oriented in a northwesterly di- the natural creek form is robbed of its vegetation and

52 Exploring Steinbach's Creeks emerges ¿ìs amanicured, lawned swale through a small, In outlining design opporhrnities along Steinbach's residential park. Local residents indicate that this slight creeks, it is important to recognize the diverse charac- lm (3'-3" foot) depression remains predominantly dry teristics which the three different creeks illusfrate. Cen- throughout the summer months, but is a favourite place tral Creek is cleariy the most urban, as a result of its for neighbourhood children to play following a rain- flow through the heart of Steinbach's commercial cen- storm. After crossing Clover Crescent, the manicured fie. It has become an element of formal streetscaping swale is again replaced by natural vegetation. At its in its confined, engineered state, and appears to demand Looking north at Section junction 26-6-6E, the natural riparian with McK enzie Road, the creek ponds slightly, an orderliness or regular patteming in its treatment. By corridor associated with South Creek contrasts sharply with cultivated fields surround it. Photo by author allowing reeds and bulrushes to establish. Within Sec- contrast, the South Creek demonstrates a certain wild- tion 34-6-6E, the South Creek continues its rural flow ness in its form (with the exception of a short stretch in a northwesterly orientation through a cultivated field, running through "The Meadows"). Of the three and is accompanied by various aquatic vegetative spe- Steinbach creeks, it appears to have remained the most cies, but only sporadic canopy cover. The creek con- consistently "natural" over the years. While lacking a tinues its gentle meandering around the west side of continuous riparian corridor, the abundance of reeds, "Abe's Hill" - a recreational hill within L.A. Barkman cattails and aquatic life suggest an untamed quality. The Park created from excavation material when pTH 12 North Creek also possesses some ofthese same untamed was built through Steinbach. The South Creek is qualities, as it approaches Steinbach from the east and A gentle swale denotes the South Creek as it flows through "The Meadows". Photo by author culverted at its junction with PTH 52, bypasses skirts around it to the north. Upon entering the golf Steinbach's industrial park to the west, and continues course, however, its form changes abruptly. The gen- its northwesterly flow through farmland until its junc- tly rolling topography, carefully-placed vegetarion and tion with the }trorth Arm of the Upper Manning Canal manicured lakes and ponds mimic the English pastoral watershed system in Section 17-7-68. Throughout the tradition at this point. As the creek winds its way last segment of its flow, the South Creek is largely bar- through this programmed landscape and the adjoining ren of vegetation, except when passing in close prox- park, it strikes a balance between freedom of flow and imity to houses and farm buildings, where rhe creek,s intentional placement. natural vegetation remains untouched and is incorpo- The South Creek forms a significant pond rated as part of a shelterbelt. along the west edge of L.A. Barkman Park. Photo by author

Exploring Steinbach's Creelflood control, a significant portion ofthe original Little River watercourse was chamelized several Numerous examples can now be found where the decades ago, additionally creating navigable waters for abundant contributions, which rivers and streams have small boats. The newly channelized stream was sepa- made in fostering a unique cultural identity, are being rated from an oxbow of the oid channel of the river by recognized by the towns, cities and entire regions a dykeway. As a result, the oxbow essentially became through which these waterways flow. Within these ju- a dumping ground for all forms of garbage - plastic A recovered oxbow along risdictions potential design opportunities have been bags, pop cans, old tires, washing machines, shopping the old channel of the Little River in Windsor, Ontario. Photo by author identified as part of an overall sfteam re-integration pro- carts and even vehicles. gram, and are given expressive form. The result is the While strolling through the old channel region ofthe celebration of natural landscape features which are ac- Little River, a local science teacher was troubled by cessible to large numbers ofpeople. Among the prec- this forgotten and honibly abused landscape, and de- edents demonstrating the recognition of and apprecia- veloped a proposal to clean it up as part of a school

Recognition ofPlace 55 project. In the srunmer of 1989, the Riverside Habitat biodiversity can flourish. Throughout the Little River 2000 Club (largely composed of local srudenrs) took watershed, additional opportunities have been identi- up the challenge and conducted the first cleanup of fied where natural corridors and utility rights-oÊway the old channel. Interest in the project soon grew and may be connected to form an expanded trail and in November 1990, the old channel area of the Little greenway system. River was proclaimed a "greenway" by the citv of Wind- Overall, the efforts of Lil'Reg demonstrate the im- sor. portance of community involvement. By promoting As a means of focusing the energy and diversity of education and community awareness, the project has enhancement activity centred upon Little River, a non- experienced tremendous success. The great number of Reconstruction of a portion of the Little River from profit umbrella group called the Liftle River Enhance- daily users who walk, jog, surviving remnants. photo by author cycle, rollerblade or simply ment Group (Lil'Reg) was formed in February 1991. observe nature within the Little River greenway is a This group was made up educators, of numerous testimony to the tremendous benefits of having such a schools, representatives of the City of Windsor, Minis- biologically rich resource "within one's own back yard." try of Environment, Essex Region Conservation Au- (Information for this review was obtained via a tour thority (ERCA) and the Habitat 2000 Club. and interview with Faye Langmaid, Co-ordinator of Since its founding, Lil'Reg has experienced grow- Design & Development, City of Windsor parks & Rec- ing supporr at both the politicai and community levels, reation Department, as well as literature - ,,Communify and numerous national and intemational awards have Stewardship of the Little River Watershed", June 1995 been won. Clean-up of the old channel is now com- - provided by her.) plete and has been continued (by local school groups) The Little River Enhancement Group demonstrates the along other needy reaches ofthe river during the spring Garrison Creek - Toronto, Ontario importance of hands-on community involvement. photo by author and fall. A pedestrian/cycling path (Ganarchio Trail) has been created along aportion ofthe Little River, and A second precedent which addresses the re-integra- includes bridges, which span the old channel with ma- tion of an historically significant stream into the urban terials and labour donated by local industry. Addition- context is Garrison Creek, which drains into Lake On- ally, more than 11,000 trees have been planted to re- tario in Toronto, Ontario. The cultural history associ- store habitat and provide an environment in which ated with this stream dates back to 1792 whenGarrison

56 Recognition ofPlace Creek provided a natural water resource for the newly many combined stormwater and wastewater sewer over- built military ouþost of Fort York. Large, park-like flow systems (such as the buried Garrison Creek ra- estates were constructed along the Ganison Creek ravine) need to be rehabilitated following the identifica- vine to act as enticements for prospective wealtþ set- tion of high bacterial pollution levels. tlers at this time. A recent proposal has been made in which local run- Lateg as Toronto began to grow and prosper, numer- offwithin the Ganison Creek watershed could be held ous industries built alongside the Ganison Creek ra- and slowly released within a "connected pond system". vine exploited this resource for the dumping of waste. This system traces the original Garrison Creek ravine By the 1880s, the creek was thoroughly polluted and and makes use of depressions in this human-altered to- deemed a public health risk. As a result, the creek was pography for water-retention. The gravity-fed system The San Antonio River, near its headwaters, as it enters the buried within a brick sewer 3m (ten feet) in diameter stores and treats run-offwater from neighbouring resi- downtown area of San Antonio, Texas. Photo by author which was seen to provide adequate stormwater and dential districts within a network of connected ponds wastewater control. The continuous open space net- with accompanying natural vegetal filters. The culmi- work associated with the Garrison Creek ravine, how- nation of the system is a small wetland sited within an ever, persisted. An elaborate system of bridges (which elementary schoolyard. This provides biological di- became landmarks) was built by the city of Toronto in versity and a tremendous educational resource (Places, an attempt to enswe that the ravine would continue to Summer 1996). exist within its urban context. The connected pond system provides an ecological On-going development in the 1930s and '40s, how- alternative to stormwater treatment and management. ever, led to the in-fill of signif,rcant portions of the Gar- By re-tracing the creek ravine, this system also pro- rison Creek ravine. The public parks associated with vides a historical connection to the Garrison Creek, and the open space ravine system were utilized as landfill the opportunity for the rehabilitation and re-connection sites for the dumping of garbage. The continuous open of disjointed green spaces in its watershed. space network provided by the Garrison Creek ravine gradually disintegrated in a piecemeal fashion. San Antonio River - San Antonio, Texas As Toronto has grown, its aging sewer infrastructure has been targeted for replacement. In particular, the A third example of an urban stream which demon-

Recognition ofPlace 57 strates a successful reconnection to an historically Only six weeks later, the American army re-grouped significant place is the San Antonio River in San and dealt a decisive blow to the Mexican force and the Antonio, Texas. Fed by a large aquifer and natural Republic of Texas was born. springs located approximately 3 miles north ofthe city, Amidst this turmoil and unrest, the city of San the San Antonio River was kno\iln to its early residents, Antonio continued to grow. It soon became apparent the Papaya Indians, as Yanuguano - The Clear Water. that the potential for signif,rcant propefy damage and The f,rst Spanish explorers and missionaries to enter loss of life from severe flooding of the San Antonio the region in 169i were particularly struck by the River (a recurring problem over the years) was a seri- towering cypress trees in a lush river valley teeming ous threat. Ultimately, the devastating flood of 792I,

The Alamo - San Antonio's oldest mission. Photo by author with flora and fauna. The river soon became the in which 50 people were killed, set a flood plan in mo- source of a complex aqueduct system, which nourished tion. In 1926, a bypass channel was constructed, and the five Spanish missions springing up between 1718 plans were prepared to drain the bend of the natural and 1731. stream course in the downtown region, pave over it, As more settlers began to arrive in the are4 new water and construct an underground storm drain. These plans projects were undertaken in the form of dams, ditches, were immediately (and thankfully) met with tremen- irrigation canals and aqueducts to meet the needs of a dous opposition from the San Antonio Conservation growing population. Following the American Revolu- Sociery, which sought to preserve the integrity of the tion in 1776, the missions were closed by the Spanish San Antonio River. In 1929, architect and visionary govemment, and the remaining Spanish governors were H.H. Hugman presented a plan to the city of San later ousted by Mexicans in 1821 in Mexico's bid for Antonio in which he endorsed the bypass channel, and A small dam, constructed along the engineered bypass independence. Political tension mounted as Americans proposed a system of flood gates and a small dam to channel, which, together with a system of flood gates, regulates the flow within the natural bend of the San now petitioned the Mexican govemment to permit their maintain a consistent water flow in the naturai bend of Antonio River. Phofo by author settlement in Texas. In the spring of 1836, along the the existing river. With this in place, he further devel- banks of the San Antonio River, a now-famous battle oped a plan for a River Walk - Paseo del Río - complete took place which witnessed the fall of San Antonio's with wallcrvays, ornate staircases and footbridges. These oldest mission - Mission San Antonio de Valero, later were to be constructed from native materials, and sup- called the Alamo - at the hands of the Mexican annv. ported by commercial and retail spaces at the river level

58 Recognition ofPlace in an early Texas or Mexican colonial style, thus ena- many studies were undertaken to explore the full eco- bling one to fully experience the rich and unique cul- nomic potential of the Paseo del Río. Numerous res- tural landscape. taurants, hotels, retail and entertainment facilities soon sprang up at the river level along both sides Hugman was convinced that the ideal of the San future of the Paseo del Río rested in Antonio River, and development continues to this day. preserving the historic character pecu- Daily boat trips (the Yanaguana Cruise) fuither rein- liarly San Antonio's own; that the force the important history of San Antonio, by recog- flavor of ow Spanish, Mexican and nlø,ng that it is the San Antonio River which is ulti- Southwest traditions must be empha- mately sized in all future development; that our the source ofthe city. (Information provided by 'Little River' should be treated as a Paseo del Río Association, San Antonio, Texas.) the Yanaguana Gruise - a popular tourist attraction along stage setting on which people a¡e trans- The SanAntonio River Walk is atremendous resource the San Antonio River. Phofo by author ported to the unusual; that all future drawing thousands of tourists and residents aiike to the architectural growth avoid modern downtown region each year. styles; and further, that the river's Hugman's creative de- tempo must be jealously guarded, re- sign demonstrates the adaptive transformation of an maining slow and lazy, tn complete historically signif,rcant gathering place to a lively com- contrast with the hustle and bustle of merciaVentertainment centre within the context of a street-level modern city life (quote modern city. At the same time, the rich cultural history taken from a plaque entitled "Father of the River Walk" mounted to Hugman's associated with the river (and the region in which it is original offrce building along the Paseo found) is still sensitively preserved. By recognizing del Río in San Antonio, Texas). the San Antonio River as the lifeline of the city, the integrity of past, present and future place is thereby Hugman's Paseo del Río is a Hugman w¿N successful in his proposal and construc- maintained. tremendous resource exempliffing San Antonio's rich cultural landscape. Photo tion of the Paseo del Río was begun in 1939. His pro- by author posed flood control system was soon tested n1946, as 7.2 Design Opportunities floodwaters threatened San Antonio. With minimal damage to the downtown area, the system was ulti- As the foregoing examples have aptly demonstrated, mately deemed agreatsuccess. In the following years, the benefits and rewards of re-integrating an histori-

Recognition ofPlace 59 cally significant creek system back into its urban con- Unbounded by and inespective ofpolitical borders such text are tremendous. While the taskmay appear daunt- as lot lines, the creeks maintained a constant symbolic ing, these historical precedents and many others are a connection between neighbours. testimony to the fact that it can be done. Once the op- A proposed development ofthe Steinbach creeks must portunities are identified as part of a long-range master- now accurately reflect how their use has evolved over plan, they can be acted upon, whether large or small. time, as guided by the changing perceptions of Stein- In outlining specific opportunities for development bach's residents. In their pragmatic functioning today, in Steinbach, it must fnst be acknowledged that the the creeks continue to provide drainage for Steinbach, imagery surrounding the creeks has changed signifî- although this occurs in a more limited capacity, and is cantly over time. When Steinbach was f,rrst settled, the carefully controlled in its engineered form, especiaily creeks had a very practical role to fill. They were ini- with respect to the diversion of Central Creek. Fresh tially a point of reference across a broad expanse of drinking water is provided through a city well system, prairie and bush. They signified a location, a point of which operates completely independently ofthe creeks. arival, and an ordering system for settlement for the With a highly-structured network of streets and high- foundingpioneers. Water, then as no\¡/, was anecessity ways operating within Steinbach and beyond, the ini- for survival, and its close proximity ensured that it was tiai role of the creeks as a point of reference also no readily accessible for watering livestock and gardens, longer seems necessary. In fact, the creeks have been and for general use in the home. In addition to provid- virrually lost in this urban matrix. The pureiy func- ing water, the creeks also provided drainage for a very tional role once served by the creeks has been largely flat topography. The creeks were an essential element replaced by a new imagery. on the farmyard, and symbolized in their constant flow, Whereas the creeks initially ran continuously through the hard work ofthe early pioneers. Socially, the creeks, adjacent private properties, they now flow along pub- together with the Stra/3 endorfvillagepattern, also served lic rights-oÊway or easements, which, and particularly to knit together neighbouring lots, both physically and in the case of Central Creek, are severed at regular in- psychologically, thereby reinforcing the creation of an tervals by crossing streets. The opportunity arises to intentional community. Through this adjacency, a cer- provide connections between these disjointed urban is- tain egalitarianism and kinship continued to grow. lands via the creeks, reminiscent of the connections

60 Recognition ofPlace which once existed between adjacent lots. The signif,r- fual masterplan, the following recommendations out- cant difference, however, is that the creeks can now be line an implementation strategy, which further acknowl- fully experiencedby thepublic alongthei¡ entire length edges the important role the creeks have played in the of flow within the city (unless underground), without formation ofthe city of Steinbach: trespassing on private lands. The issue of access to the .First and foremost, it is important to formally creeks has now shifted from a purely utilita¡ian focus name the creeks and place signs of identifica- of obtaining water, to an opporfunify for citizens to com_ tion along the creeks at all road crossings. This mune withnature. Inparticular, the importance of open act, in itself serves to provide a much greater greenspace in ourmodern communities reflects a change presence to the creeks, and will arouse the in the attitude ,,nature". of society as a whole towards curiosity and interest of Steinbach citizens. The The early pioneers experienced a direct comection to names Stoney Creek (Central Creek), Old Tom the land as they worked the soil and grew their crops. Creek fNorth Creek) and Bushfarm Creek As many Steinbach's of citizens have now given up (South Creek) have been commonly used by their agrarian roots, the creeks are no longer regarded many locals for some time, and should be offr- as a necessity for survival. Rather, their appeal is that cially registered. of a nafurai resource providing tremendous recreational .A 100m (328') wide unintemrpred greenspace and educational opportunities. With popular culture's (currently proposed by rhe city) should be on-going search for meaning, pu{pose and a sense of actively pursued for the full length of Bushfarm beionging, the changing imagery of the creeks as sig- and Old Tom Creeks, while the existing24m nificanthistoric and cultural resources seryes to address (80') right-oÊway and easements along Stoney these issues. Creek should be maintained as greenspace. By The value now placed greenspace on provides a sig- acquiring and maintaining these lands now, the nificant starting point for preserving the integrity of city could ensure that any future development Steinbach's creek system. By providing a greaterpres- adjacent to this greenspace is compatible with ence to the sfream corridors, an opporfunity arises for the long-term health of the creeks. an expanded interconnected greenspace throughout the . Within this continuous greenspace alongside the entire Steinbach area. In conjunction with a concep- creeks, a recreational trail network for walking,

Recognítion ofPlace 61 hiking, j oggiog, cycling, rollerblading and/or such as water retention, water quality improve- cross-country skiing should be established. ment, and the mtnimization of creek sedimenta- While not all of these activities could (or tion through bank erosion control. Addition- shouid) be accommodated along the entire trail ally, this would greatly enrich the habitat for a - *-.Þ network, portions of the hail could be tailored diversity of new wildlife. The resulting tree \ ri\ I 'i- to meet the specific needs of a certain activity, canopy would create a dynamic, shaded envi- I _v--}2 I {-* ì :F through a change in the surface materiai of the ronment for all nafure enthusiasts to enjoy also. \ rrt. ,.+ dd üail, for example. In addition to the recrea- In addition to the random planting of vegeta- tional benefits of such an amenity, historical tion, the regular planting of iarge trees should connections could also be made. For example, also be pursued, reminiscent of the tall along Stoney Creek, 20bronze plaques could be cottonwoods found along the main streets of \ \ÞÀbË- -.Ñ\ embedded within the trail surface at regular many historic Mennonite villages (Steinbach intervals of 220 feet (the original lot widths) included). Particularly where the creek has bearing the name of the original Mennonite been sunk underground, these vertical elements, pioneer family to have settled in that location. which could be seen from a great distance, The historic property lines could also be de- would further reinforce the creek's presence. noted with a thin line of paving stone (or other .It is important to make the creeks accessible by suitably contrasting material) cutting across the linking the proposed trail network to existing

~~I trail. Simple historical markers such as these paths in Steinbach. Within this framework, the qø/ñ~~

07h are often more effective in conveying a story treatment of creek and street crossings must be J F Proposed Trail and Greenspace Network than a written interpretive panel, which risks carefully addressed in order to provide a safe over-programming a space rather than allowing transition for users. in addition to making Overall reference map identifying opportunity nodes along a proposed interconnected greenspace and trail network. place to be revealed. connections with existing trails, opporlunities Dnwing by author . The creeksides should be vegetated with native for incorporating this trail system within a plants to restore a natural riparian corridor larger, regional network should be examined. wherever possible. Naturalization of the creeks For example, the gravel ridge to Grunthal could through plantings performs valuable functions be explored as the oppornrnity for an historic ftail.

62 Recognition ofPlace As alludedto above, the creeks andnailnetworkpro- of the world where such a reclamation has been suc- vide the tremendous potential for a connective ribbon cessfully completed. The park could also fulfil an im- of green shetching between signif,rcant nodes þoints portant educationaVecological function by highlighting of interest) adjacent to the greenspace. While many of the importance of waste reduction, recycling and sus- these nodes currently exist as isolated entities, the op- tainable development. The identification of this site at portunity arises for them to become integrated elements such an early stage demonstrates the importance of within the overall design development. Their diverse long-range planning in *y type ofmasterplan deveiop- character as commercial destinations, active focal points ment. or reflective rest areas promises to further enrich the t'The Meadows", located in the southwest corner of experience for the participant. The potential sites are Steinbach, is a a residential subdivision with large, tree- A large, open greenspace at the centre of "The Meadows" - briefly identifÏed below along each of Steinbach's three less greenspace at its centre, through which Bushfarm a residential subdivision in southwest Steinbach. A small swale denotes Bushfarm Creek at this location. Photo by creeks. Creek flows. As a result of its open continuous form, author this banen landscape readily lends itself to a miniature

Bushfarm Creek urban forest of green. Through the planting of shrubs -t! {ì ir within the riparian corridor and a well-spaced tree ¿..1 (1_, Þår- The Steinbach landfill site has an estimated 3O-year canopy layer throughout the site, a much more hospita- i-i\-"{ r' ¡- EfEEE' EÉÉn-rllr-r-l lifespan in terms of refuse storage capacity, but its ble eco-climate couldbe created. Much like Wildwood proximity i- close to southern Steinbach residential de- Park in Winnipeg's Fort Garry, the urban forest would r< i--.1 i-r :-1 velopment suggests thata20 year decommissioning op- be understood as the ordering form. The adjacent homes J É J -, tion is more likely. The 21 hectare (51 acre) site con- in the "Meadows" community would simply appear to r--l .1 :J sists of a unique stand of natural oak (Quercus be carved into this apparently "natural" landscape as a i-1 r ì-1 macrocarpa), and offers a tremendous opportunity for result. This sharply contasts with the superimposed grid H a large park, providing an "anchor" to the proposed trail which is used for many subdivisions. An urban forest, network. While significant reclamation work and on- together with the proposed trail network, would greatly going, long-term monitoring (ofmethane gases) would facilitate a continuous ribbon of green through the Proposal for an urban forest in "The Meadows". Sketch by author have to be done, in order to facilitate such a develop- "Meadows" community, which, incidentally, would ment, numerous examples can be found in other parts need to undergo a name change if the proposal would

Recognition ofPlace 63 come to fruition. Stoney Creek L.A. Barkman Park is a large public parcel on rhe western edge of Steinbach development. Currently, a The Frank KlassenÆIarold Unger properties rep- passive park design, complete with a walking path, is resent approximately 40 acres (16 hectares) of pristine already in progress. This could be easily tinked to the Aspen Parkland, through which the Stoney Creek flows, proposed trail network along the park's western edge. at the southeast corner of Steinbach. As outlined ear- .. A unique feature, located in the southwest corner of the lier, an historic'route used by early pioneers runs through park, is a large mound (extensively used for winter to- the site parallel to the creek. The opportunity arises to bogganing) made up of excavation material from the provide a significant cultural link to Steinbach's eariy re-construction of PTH 12 in the 1970s. As a result of settlement history by once again using the trail, only A large mound, known locally as "Abe's Hill", provides a great winter opportunity for family tobogganing. photo by the flat, natural topography of the region, the hill pro- this time as part of a recreational network. The owners PeterDyck vides a great view of the surrounding area. of these private parcels should be contacted to deter- Bushfarm (J.,I. Reimer Estate) is a 160-acre (65- mine whether a city right-of-way (encompassing the hectare) parcel of lánd located at the junction of trail and creek) could be established forthe historic pres- Bushfarm Road and PTH 52. While the parcel is cur- ervation of the trail. If such ¿m arrangement could be rently private property, the city of Steinbach is actively made, it is recommended that the properfy should be pursuing its purchase. It consists of 80 acres (32.5 hec- maintained, as far as possible, in its current condition. tares) of native poplar (Populus tremuloídes) and oak The only intervention should be the trail itseif and, per- (Quercus macrocarpa), andprovides the significant op- haps, a small historical marker noting the significance porfunity for a natural wildlife sanctuary along the proof the site. posed greenspace network. Its close proximity to L.A. K.R. Barkman Park This urban park, located in Barkman Park could further result in the creation of a the southeast quarter of Steinbach proper, is the site of unique linked park system via Bushfarm Creek. Mini- Steinbach's wells andunderground water storage facil- mal intervention is recommended at this location. A ity. Although Stoney Creek has been buried within a simple, narrow trail network would allow users to move right-oÊway at this location, the setting is provided to through the space, while ensuring that the habitat re- make a symbolic connection to the original creek. The mains intact. trail network, which would run through the righrof-

64 Recognition ofPlace way, could effectively act as the original creek by mim_ rent linear flow to meander into the schoolyard. By icking its meandering form, as it moves from the re- enhancing the water's flow through the use of an arte- gion of the Steinbach water tower to K.R. Barkman sian well and/or a small weir with an overflow, a Park. As it enters the park, the opportunity arises for a marshland habitat could be effectively created. The water theme park, which would reco gazeboth the creek chiidren would also be able to participate in the actual and the existing city water source. A system of linked construction ofthe marsh, through the planting of trees fountains, plazas, small pools and supporting design and aquatic vegetation. The educational benefits of such elements should be utilized for the creation of a hard an on-site natural resource would be ffemendous - an landscape in this location. asset to any science curriculum examining nature and The Jake Epp Library and park, Ernie A. Friesen natural processes. In addition, the wetland would fulfil Looking west across Stoney Creek (in foreground) provide a small, green oasis at along a townscaped seg_ a significant ecological role by providing habitat, and Elmdale Elementary School's spacious playground. phofo ment of the Stoney Creek near by author the centre of Steinbach. retaining and purifying water within the city,s drainage In addition to the library, the area features a small totlot system. ,.> tr:Ir=- -:= r--l and covered picnic areas. iE.c=iu,'i == n With the addition of some The Former City Lagoon, located directly north- additional plantings to further shelter the space, it is west of Steinbach's central square mile, is a large re- recoÍrmended that the site be maintained in its present c ently-dec ommiss ioned waste handling fac ility adj ac ent Il** IJ state. ts-{ íJl I Any additional elements should simply reflect to Stoney Creek. As Michael Hough -:* maintains, sew- ,-', ¡-l the passive, contemplative H character which the site cur_ age treatment lagoons are "one of the city,s gïeatest -f JI rently exhibits. t-'¡ interpretive and educational resources for naturalists, The Blmdale Elementary School exhibits a signifi- school groups and the community at large" (Hough, cantly large playground areawhich abuts Stoney Creek 1984,178). While the holding cells have been filled in in the northwest l=- corner of steinbach's central section. and are no longer in use, this low-lying area still offers I

With significant room left I over for existing playground a tremendous opporhrnity for a linked pond or marsh structures and I L_ soccer pitches, the opportunity is pre_ system connected to the creek. An interpretive trail sented for a small, educational wetland. In order to along this segment could outline the former function- Proposal for an educational wettand at Elmdale accommodate this, the Elementary School. Sketch by author direction of Stoney Creek,s ing of the lagoon system, and highlight the significance flow could be slightly altered, by encouraging its cur- of this nafural process.

~~Recognition ofPlace 65 Old Tom Creek 7.3 Plan Development~~

Old Tom Creek maintains a relatively nafural form While the preceding examples have outlined signifi- as it approaches Steinbach from the northeast. At this cant nodes and opportunities adjacent to the creeks, the point, virtually no significant developmenthas occurred following case study offers a more detailed examina- adjacent to it, as it makes little contact with the city tion of the design potential of one such site. The prop- itself. As Steinbach grows, however, proposed land erry is a large, paved parking lot located adjacent to Portion of case study parking lot s¡te between Reimer Ave. uses may conflict with the riparian corridor and seri- Stoney Creek, in the centre ofsteinbach's sectional gdd. and Curling Club looking east. phofo by author ously threaten its current state. The city is strongly It is bordered by diverse activities including commer- encowaged to maintain a protective buffer zone in the cial, recreational and residential land uses. The area is form of a right-of-way along the full available length characterizedby high traffic volumes - both vehicular of the creek. An extension of the proposed trail net- and pedesfrian - as people are moving about engaged work should be provided, and natural vegetation should in acts of repeated ritual. Whether paying biils, obtain- be encouraged within this allotted greenspace. The op- itrg u loan from the bank or attending a hockey game porhrnity arises to preserve this portion of Old Tom during the winter months, many people move through Creek as a significant linear park. the space on a regular basis. It is familiar to them, and The Steinbach Fly-in Golf Course and A.Ð. Penner they've been there many Port¡on of case study parking lot s¡te between Curling times. This is significant, for Club and Legion Hall looking northeast. photo by author Park, located directly north of Steinbach, demonstrate experience is one of the key components in generating a creative and sensitive treatment of Old Tom Creek in a meaningful "place". As a result of its central location this programmed space. Through structured enhance- in Steinbach's commercial core, the site is also a "hot ments in the form ofponds, the creek is exploited to its spot" for future development, which could potentially full recreational potential in these locations, while still th¡eaten the remaining integrity of Stoney Creek. maintaining a natural form. It is recommended that, as In addition to this propefty, an adjacent residential much as possible, naturalizationof the stream corridor site is also addressed in this case study. The city of vegetation should take place, without jeopardizing rhe Steinbach has been actively pwsuing the purchase of playability of the golf course, Portion of case study parking lot site in front of arena or the functioning of the six properties on the north side of Ekndale Drive, be- complex. Photo by author recreational park. tween Lumber and Reimer Avenues. The city has al-

66 Recognition ofPlace ready purchased two ofthese homes - demolishing one environment, the remaining segment of this ditch be- and renting the other. The additional homeowners have tween Lumber and Reimer should be sunk underground. been notified ofthe city's interest inpurchasing the prop- As outlined below, this seeming "compromise" is more erties (if they were to be made available for sale) in a than compensated for, in the remaining design. willing seller / willing buyer ¿rffangement. The city is The existing parking lot, within the commercialzone also attempting to acquire first bid privileges with the and in front ofthe arena complex, was greatly enhanced remaining homeowners, in the event that the homes are at this stage, and additional parking was provided. A Portion of case study residential site looking north along made available for sale. For the pu{poses of the case much clearer traffrc flow and parking delineation was Elmdale Drive between Barkman Ave. and Lumber Ave, Photo by author study, the assumption is made that all six properties proposed, through the addition of raised curbing and a have already been pwchased by the City of Steinbach, tree canopy layet The orientation and patterning of and have been amalgamated. The resultngl.4 hectare the curbing and trees further acknowledge the original (3.5 acre) site thereby becomes part of the case study lots ofthe pioneers, thereby reinforcing this settlement plan development. morphology. Through the new treatment of this park- The flrst stage in the development of the combined ing facility a much more stimulating and visually-en- site was to eliminate one of the parallel roads, which riched environment is also provided. In the absence of currently comprise Elmdale Drive. With the removal a physical creek at this stage, an opporfunity arose to ofthe residential driveways along this stretch, the north- provide a symbolic gesture to Stoney Creek's presence, ernmost süeet was seen to be redundant, ffid did not through the introduction of a blue ribbon of paving Portion of case study residential site looking east through contribute to the design development. Additionally, the stone. In its meandering form it is an obvious allusion empty lot currently owned by city. Photo by author location of this street was altered slightly between the to Stoney Creek which once flowed uninhibited through large parking lot to the south and the arena complex, to this small prairie settlement. The continuous ribbon better accommodate the design elements. The current moves along unhindered by road and curb elements, depiction of Stoney Creek throughout this stretch is that suggesting that the natural landscape can never be truly of a biologically sterile drainage ditch. It was deter- conquered. mined by the author that, as a result of the increasing Within the residential portion of the case study, a demand for parking and the continuing unaccornmo- sharply contrasting design development is proposed. Looking southeast dating nature from middle of case study residential of this hard landscape for a natural creek Throughout this segment the Stoney Creek is greatly site. Photo by author

Recognition ofPlace 67 enhancedto form alarge,linearpond element. Its shap- pants (i.e. allowing place to be revealed). By the same ing and location result from an attempt to preserve as token, however, place must have multiple layers and a many ofthe existing trees as possible. Supported by an rich variety of potential experiences in order to remain expanded trail network, the pond element clearly pro- meaningful. The diversity provided by the dualþ of vides a gathering place for Steinbachers - a point of the combined site makes this possible. The active, busy community and connection. It encourages celebration nature oftheparking lot contrasts sharpiy withthe quiet, and a sense of belonging. As the pond narows at its passive pond environment. The lot is a hard landscape western edge and enters the commeicial site, it appears made up of consfructed elements, while the pond and as the source of the symbolic creek. Together with the surrounding area is clearly a soft, natural landscape. unique ribbon of blue, which meanders through the This dichotomous reiationship further reflects the in- greatly improved parking facility, the pond provides a troverted / extroverted nature of the Kleíne Gemeinde unique source of identity for Steinbach. Children may pioneers, themselves. While living in an insular, shel- experience the pond as a place to watch ducks floating teredviilage environment (as captured by the enhanced across the water, or an opporhrnity for skating during pond), their entrepreneurial spirit continues to be re- the winter months. Older residents who are more fa- flected in Steinbach's thriving cornmercial core to this miliar with the Steinbach area will be able to peal back day. the layers of time and remember stories told by parents and grandparents of pioneers building sod huts along a small creek many years ago. These memories could be fruther reinforced through a small, contemplative sculp- tural garden, located in the northeast corner ofthe pond site. As a meditative retreat, the garden alludes to the humble life of simplicity of its founding pioneers. As in any successful cultural landscape, it is important not to over-program this case study site. Rather, the context or conditions must be simply provided in order to initiate an interactive response from partici-

~~68 Recognition ofPlace Plan for a proposed park and parking plaza along Stoney Creek in Steinbach's commercial core. Drawing by author~~

Recognition ofPlace 8.0 Summary roots" level). shortpolitical terms of office often only enable the realization 8.1 Observations of short-term projects in our,,result-oriented" socio-economic crimate. what is needed are concerned citizens The intent of who understand steinbach's this study has been to spark an aware_ unique sense of place, and ness of and appreciation can provide a long_term vi_ for steinbach,s cultural land- sion for the needs of the community. scape, through an exploration Through the in_ and documentation of its volvement of rocal citizens in the actuar imprementa- founding creeks. As direct contributors to the city,s tion of the unique greenspace network, a sense of ownership s eff lement morphology, the creeks, signific anc e and pride can also be realized, as is extends beyond a mere historical the case in many footnote. Through other jwisdictions. the identification Additionally, education of young of a trail network and significant ac- and old must play a decisive role tivity nodes along its lengfh, in extolling the op_ the changing imagery as_ porfunities sociated and benefits which the creeks provide, with the creeks has been realized,. in contributing to a rich cultural In many respects, landscape. the city of Steinbach is already mov_ In developing a long_term ing itr the right direction strategy forthe implemen_ to preserve the integrity of its tation creeks. of the frail network, it wiil be important This has been achieved by maintainin to re- g a24m main open to the changing (80 foot) allowance imagery suïounding the (easements and rights_of_way) along creeks. It will also become increasingly Stoney Creek in which development important to is not permitted, recognize and that, while Steinbach,s population proposing l00m (32g foot) greenways has re_ along Old mained largely Mennonite, Tom and Bushfarm the citv has also witnessed Creeks. Such actions are rrrrylori the continued growh of other cultural tive, and should be actively pursued gïoups. This along the full length rcalizationmust ofthe begin to be reflected in future creeks. The formal naming ofthe curturar creeks 1u, out_ design developments lined above) as well. is a significant starting point for further implementation. 8.2 Opportunities for Future At this point, however, Research pressure to outline the recog_ nition and future preservation of these streams must This study has merery scratched the clearly come from the general public ,,grass_ surface of the (i.e. at the multitude of opportunities which the creeks offer. In

Summary 71 order for the proposed trail network to be implemenfed, fruthing studies were thoroughly conducted. frirther sfudies would have to be undertaken to analyse Another significant arca of research would involve specific site conditions associated with each segment additional interviews with long-time residents of of the trail (ground-truthing), and the various opportu- Steinbach, and the fuither examination of diaries/mem- nodes nity identif,red. This would also include identi- oirs, which may provide a broader collection ofmemo- fying a strategy forthe acquisition ofprivate lands along ries specific to Steinbach's creeks. In particular, a phiio- significant portions of the creeks. The identification of sophical examination of the Mennonite view of and additional nodes of varying scale, character and pro- relationship to "nature" (historically and present-day) portions along the creeks is strongly encouraged to pro- provides an, as yet untapped, opporfunity for fuither vide a wide variety of potential experiences for users. study. The opportunity for the proposed 16 km (10 mile) Within the case study a¡ea and in the region beyond, Steinbach trail network to be linked with a larger, re- it has been demonstrated that by providing a greater gional network (within the Rural Mruricipality of Hano- presence to Steinbach's formative creeks, amore mean- ver and/or the Rural Municipality of Labroquerie) ingful sense of place can be achieved in the commu- should also be explored. This may take the form of a nity. While the discussion has been rooted in the his- joint taskforce between adjoining municipalities. De- torical context, an examination ofthe changing imagery tailed quantitative (cost-benefit) analyses would aiso associated with the creek environment, has also recog- need to take place at this level to determine the impacts nized that new histories a¡e recorded everyday. By pre- of the proposed designs to the area's surface drainage serving the integrity of the creeks, the oppornrnity is system, in which the creeks play asignificant role. The provided to forge an essential link between this forma- main issues would include flooding and erosion con- tive past and a promising, directive future. The oppor- trol, runoffhandling and water storage and the overall tunity to exploitthe multi-layered potential ofthe creeks maintenance of the system. The implementation of as a tremendous natural rgsource, must, however, be- the expanded traii and greenspace nefwork along with gin today. the development of various opportunity nodes could very successfully address all of these concerns in a highly cost-effective manner, provided the ground-

72 Summary Appendix A 2. An Order-in-council was passed on the 3rd March last to reserve eight townships in the The Mennonite "Priviligeum,' from the Province of Manitoba for free grants on the Dominion Government of Ganada condition of settlement as provided in the Dominion Lands Act, that is to The accompanying letter of response was addressed sa¡ "Any person who is head of a family or has obtained to the Mennonite Kleine Gemeinde andBergthal dele- g the age of 21 years shall be entitled to be en- at i o n, fo I I ow ìn g t he ir Ma nit o b a t our of ins p e c t i o n and tered for ll4 section or a less quantity of unap- subsequent negotiations in Ottøwawith the Minister of propriated Dominion Agriculture, J.H. Pope. lands, for a purpose of securing a homestead right in respect thereof." DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 3. The said reserye of eight townships is for the exclusive use of the Mennonites, and the said Ottawa, 25th July, 1873. free grants of 1/4 section to consist of 160 Gentlemen: acres each, as defined by the act. 4. Should the Mennonite Settlement extend be- I have the honour, under the instruction of the Hon. yond the eight townships set aside by the Or- the Minister of Agriculture, to state to you in reply to der-in-Council of March 3rd last, other town- your letter of this day's date the following facts relat- ships will be in the same way reserved to meet ing to advantages offered to settlers, and to the the full requirements of Mennonite immigration. immunities offered to Mennonites which are established 5. If next spring the Mennonite settlers on view- by Statute Law and by orders of his Excellency the ing the eight townships set aside for their use Governor-General-in-Council for the information of should decide to exchange them for any other German Mennonites having intention to emigrate to unoccupied eight townships, such exchange Canada via Hamburg. will be allowed. 1. An entire exemption from military service is by 6. In addition to the free grant of Il4 secrion or law and Order-in-Council granted to the De- 160 acres to every person over 2I years ofage nomination of Christians called Mennonites. on the condition of settlement the right to

Appendíces 73 purchase the remainng3l4 of the section at under eight years half price or $15.00 and for $1.00 per acre is granted by law so as to com- infants under one year, $3.00. plete the whole section of 640 acres which is 13. The minister specially authorizes me to state the largest quantity of land the Govemment that this ¿urangement as to price shall not be will grant a patent for to one person. changed for the seasons of 1874,1875, or 7. The settler will receive a patent for a free grant 1876. after three years residence in accordance with 14. I am further to state that if it is changed there- the terms of the Dominion Lands Act. after the price shall not up to the year 1882 8. In event of the death of the settler, the lawfui exceed 540.00 per adult and children in propor- heirs can claim the patent for the free grant tion, subject to the approval of Parliament. upon proof that settlement duties for three 15. The immigrants will be provided with provi- ye¿¡rs have been performed. sions on the portion of the journey between 9. From the moment of occupation the seffler Liverpool and Collingwood but be¡ween other acquires a "homestead right" in the land. portions of the journey they are to find their 10. The fullest privilege of exercising their reli- own provisions. gious principles is by law affiorded to the I have the honour to be, Mennonites without any kind of molestation or Gentlemen, restriction whatever, and the s¿rme privilege Your obedient servant extends to the education of their children in (Sed.) John Lowe schools. Secretary, Department of Agriculture. 11. The privilege of affrrming instead of making affrdavits is afforded by law. Messrs. David Klassen Jacob Peters 12. T}¡re Government of Canada undertake to will Heinrich Wiebe furnish passenger warrants from Hamburg to Cornelius Toews Fort Garry for Mennonite families of good Mennonite Delegates from Southem Russia. characters for the sum of 530.00 for adult (copy of do cument found tn In S e arc h of Utop í a : The Menno - persons over the age ofeight years, for persons nites in Manitoba by E.K. Francis, pp.4a-a5)

74 Appendices Appendix B dependence and the loss of local political control the Mennonite Commonwealth, almost a state within a state Origins of the name ',Steinbach" in Tsarist times, came to end,' (Friesen, 1996,20). The steinbach estate owners gave up theirresidences, barns, Steinbach, Molotschna garage and private school, and were forced to occupy a small tavern while their property was converted into a The name "steinb ach,, has its origins in the state orphanage. Many of the Steinbach estate build- Molotschna colony first settled by 355 Mennonite fami- ings still remain in use as part ofthe orphanage faciiity lies in the spring of 1804. Steinbach, Molotschna was within the village known today as Kalinovka. located along the Juschanlee River, a tributary of the larger Molochnaya River in Southem Russia (present_ Steinbach, Borosenko day Ukraine). Steinbach was not a village but rather a large, private estate founded in 1812 by Klaas Wiens, The village of Steinbach, Borosenko was founded in the f,nst oberschulz (comparable to a municipal reeve) i865 as the first community within this Kleine of the Molotschna colony. In honour of his work in Gemeinde daughter colony of the larger Molotschna establishing the Molotschna Colony as an economic Colony. The village was laid out from east to west along showpiece for all ofRussia, 'lViens was awa¡ded a large the BasavlukRiver (atributary ofthe Dnieper) approxi- tract of land by Czar Alexander In its prime, I. the mately 30 kilometres northwest of l.likopol on rhe Steinbach Estate was one of the most impressive Dnieper River in present-day Ukraine. Its name in Mennonite properties with land holdings totalling Imperialist Russia was Kizmitskoye. 11,000 dessiatini (12,020 hectares or 29,700 acres). Although the name "steinbach" *ay have been in_ The estate prospered geatly until civil war broke out spired by amound oflarge white boulders strewn along lri'lgl7 betweenthe BolshevikRed Army andthe White the riverbank, it is more likely that the name was bor- Army made up of officers of the Tsarist army. ,.With rowed from the Klaas Wiens Steinbach estate in the the victory of the Red Army in r9r9/20 the Bolshevils Molotschna Colony. Wiens had developed close ties abolished private land ownership and all major indus_ with the founding members ofthe Kleine Gemeinde and, üies were nationalized. With the end of economic in- was supportive of their belief and social strucfures.

Appendices 75 According to historian Delbert Plett, "It was probably whether it was inhabited by Ukrainians until its even- Wiens' intercession for the KG which saved the early tual obliteration nea¡the end of World War II when fierce leaders of the movement from banishment to Siberia" fighting accompanied the retreat of the German army (Plett, Preservings, June 1996, 2-3). n 1944. At first glance, the only present-day indica- As a result of the political refonns adopted by the tion that a village once existed here is a3l4 mile stretch Russian government in i871, the Kleine Gemeinde set- of trees denoting a central street parallel to the Basavluk tlers sold their farms to other Mennonites and emigrated River near the existing Russian village of Mironovka to Canada in 1874-75. The new inhabitants of (Plett, Preservings, June 1996;Epp, Preservings, June Steinbach, Borosenko were unaware of the horrifring 1996). lJpon closer inspection, however, the sugges- future which awaited them. During the revolution which tion of a small human settlement can be found in the erupted n 1917, groups of bandit bands, led by the remnants ofbricks and clay rooftiles scattered through- Ukraini an anarchist Nestor Machno, routinely attacke d out the surrounding fields. the Mennonite villages whose inhabitants, in many cases, did not defend themselves in adherence to their pascifist beliefs. On December 7, 1919, Steinbach, Borosenko also fell victim to the atrocities of these rov- ing bandits. During the ensuing massacre, entire house- holds were rounded up and brutally shot or hacked apart by sabres. In addition to these horrific acts ofviolence, women and children were routinely raped, while properties were plundered and destroyed. A total of 54 Mennonite men, women and children lost their lives on this fateful day in the village of Steinbach. Those who managed to hide or miraculously survived these attacks fled with their lives. It remains unclear as to whether the village of Steinbach, Borosenko w¿ts dismantled at this point or

76 Appendices References Garnham, Harry Launce. Maintainingthe Spírit of Place: A Process For the Preservation of Town Character. Published Books and Articles Mesa, Arizona: PDA Publishers Corporation, 1985. Goerz, Heinrich. The Molotschna Settlement. Winnipeg, Brown, James, and Kim Storey. "Rainwater in the Urban Manitoba: CMBC Publications and the Manitoba Landscape" . Places. Summer 1996: 16-25. Mennonite Historical Society, 1993. Dyck, Cornelius J., ed. An Introduction to Mennoníte Harder, Leland. Steinbach and its Churches. Elkhart, Hístory. Waterloo, Ontario: Herald Press, 1981. Indiana: Mennonite Biblicai Seminary, 1970. Dyclq John, ed. Historical Sketches of the East Reserve Hiss, Tony. The Experíence of Place. New York: Vintage 1874-1910. Steinbach: The Hanover Steinbach Books, 1990. Historical Society Inc., 1994. Hopkins, L. A. et al. Soils of the Rural Municipality of years Dyck, Peter, ed. Steinbach: A Look At Forty of Hanov en Agriculture Canada. Winnipeg, Manitoba: printers Growth 1946-1986. Steinbach: Derksen Ltd., University of Manitoba Press, 1993. 1986. Hough, Michael. City Form and Natural Process. Ens, Adolf. Subjects or Cittzens? The Mennonite London: Routledge, 1984. Experience in Canada, 1870-1925. Ottawa: Jackson, John Brinckerhoff. A Sense of Place, a Sense of University of Ottawa Press, 1994. Time.London: Yale University Press, 1994. Epp, Frank H. Mennonites in Canada, I786-1920. Jackson, John Brinckerhoff. Discovering the Vernacular Toronto, Ontario: Macmillan, lg7 4. Landscape. London: Yale University Press, 1984. Evernden, Neil. Zåe Natural Alíen. Toronto: University of Jackson, John Brinckerhoff. The Necessity For Ruins, and Toronto Press, 1993. Other Topics. Amherst: The University of Francis, Emerich In Search K. of Utopia: The Mennonites Massachusetts Press, 1 980. ín Manítoba. Altona, Manitoba: D. W. Friesen & Jakle, John A. The Wsual Elements of Landscape. Sons Ltd., 1955. (lrtrote: significant portions of Amherst: The University of Massachusetts Press, Francis' original research were not published in his 1987. provincial book, but were deposited in the Manitoba Kleine, Adele. "A River Runs Through It." The American Archives in Winnipeg as part of the complete Gardener. March-April 1997 : 26-29 . manuscript.) Klippenstein, Lawrence. "The Mennonite Migration to Friesen, Iobn. Against the Wnd: The Story of Four Russia 1786-1806." Mennonites in Russia. Ed. John Menno nit e Vi I I a ge s .'Winnip e g, Manitoba : Henders on Friesen. Winnipeg: CMBC Publications, 1989. Books, 1994. Klippenstein, Lawrence, and Julius G. Toews, ed. Friesen, Rudy P. Into the Past: Buildíngs of the Mennonite tVlemories: Settling in Western Canada. Menno nit e C ommonw eal t h. W imipeg, Manitoba: Winnipeg, Manitoba: Centennial Publication s, 197 7 . Christian Press, 1996.

References 77 Loewen, Harry. "A House Divided: Russian Mennonite Penning-Rowsell, Edmund C., and David Lowenthal, ed. Nonresistance and Emigration in the 1g70s." Landscape Meanings and Values. London: Allen and Mennonítes in Russia. Ed. John Friesen. Winnipeg: Unwin, 1986. CMBC Publications, I 989. Plett, Delbert. Hístory and Events: Writíngs and Maps Loewen, Royden K. Blumenort: A Mennonite Community pertaining to the history of the Mennoníte Kleine ín Transitíon. Steinbach: The Blumenort Mennonite Gemeindefrom I866 to 1876. Steinbach, Manitoba: Historical Society, I 983. D. F. Plett Farrns Ltd.,l9B2. Loewen, Royden Family, K. Church, & Market. Toronto: . Storm and TrÌumph: The Mennonite Kleine University of Toronto press, 1993. Gemeinde (1850-1575). Steinbach, Manitoba: D. F. p. Love, Myron. "The Entrepreneurial Spirit Alive and Well Publications, 1986. in Steinbach." The Western Commerce and Industry , ed. Leaders of the Mennonìte Kleine Magazine. November 1989: l0-i7. Gemeinde ín Russia, IB12 to 1874. Steinbach, Lynch, Kevin. The Image of the City. Cambridge, Manitoba: Crossway Publications, i993. Massachusetts: MIT Press, 1960. , ed- Pioneers and Pilgrims: The Mennonite Lynch, Kevin. What Time is This place? Cambridge, Kleine Gemeínde in Manitoba, Nebraska and Kansas, Massachusetts: MIT Press, 1980. 1874 to 1882. Steinbach, Manitoba: D. F. p. Martin, .Save Nick. "Volunteers strain to our Seine'.,, The Publications, 1990. Wínnipeg Free Press. t9 Oct. 1997: A4. , ed,. Profile of the Mennoníte Kleine McHarg, Ian L. A Ltfe.New york: Questfor John Wiley Gemeinde 1874. Steinbach, Manitoba: D. F. p. & Sons, Lnc.,1996. Publications, i987. Meinig, D. W., ed. The Interpretation of Ordínary , ed- The Golden Years: The Mennoníte Kleíne Landscapes. press, New York: Oxford University Gemeinde in Russía (lBI2-1549). Steinbach, t979. Manitoba: D. F. P. Publicarions, 1985. Mel¡ick, R. Z. "Capruring the Cultural Landscape." Prenshaw, Peggy W, and Jesse O. McKee, ed,. Sense of Landscape Archítecture. January 1981: 56-60. Place: Mísstssippi. Jackson: University of Mississippi Newbury, Robert W., and Marc N. Gaboury. Stream Press, 1979. Analysis and Fish Habitat Design; A Field Maru¿al. þle, Robert Michael. The Thunder Tree.- Lessons From Steinbach, printers, Manitoba: Derksen Ltd., 1993. an Urban LTíldland. New York: Houghton Mifflin Noble, Allen G., ed. To Build in a New Land: Ethnic Company, 1993. Landscapes in North America. Baltimore, Maryland: Redekop, Calvin. Mennonite So ciety. Baltimore, The John Hopkins University press, 1992. Maryland: The John Hopkins Universiqv press, 19g9. Norberg-Schulz, Christian. Genius Locí: Towards a Reimer, K.J.B. "Historical Sketches of Steinbach.,' P he no m en o I o g,, of Arc hite c ture. N ew York : Rizzo li Carillon News. Jan.4 - May 2,1952. International Publications, Inc., I 979.

78 References Relph, Edward. Ploce and Placelessness. London: pion Warkentin, John. "Mennonite Agriculture Settlements of Limited, 1976. Southern Manitoba." The Geographical Revtew. July Rempel, David G. "The Mennonite Commonwealth in 1959:354. Russia. A sketch of its founding and endurance, Warkentin, John H., and Richard I. Ruggles. Historical 1789-1919." The Mennonite Quarterly Review. Atlas of Manitoba: A Selectíon of Facsimile Maps, October 1973: 259-308;January 197 4: 5-54. Plans and Sketches from 1612 to 1969. Winripeg, Rolston, Holmes. Conserving Natural Values. New York: Manitoba: Stovel-Advocate Press Ltd, I97 0. Columbia University Press, 1994. Welsted, John, John Everitt and Christoph Stadel, ed. The Rybak, Arkadiusz. "The Signiflrcance of the Agricultural Geography of Manitoba: Its Land and lts People. Achievements of the Mennonites in the Vistula-Nogat V/innipeg, Manitoba: The University of Manitoba Delta". The Mennonite Quarterly Review. April 1992: Press, 1996. 214-220. Wright, Gerald. Steinbach: Is there any place like it? Ryden, Kent C. Mappíng the Invisíble Landscape: Steinbach, Manitoba: Derksen Printers Ltd., 1991. Folkore, Writing, and the Sense of Place.Iowa City: Zale, A. V., D. M. Leslie, Jr., W. L. Fisher, and S. G. Universiry of Iowa Press, 1993. Merrifield. U.S. Department of the Interior. Fish and Schroeder, William. The Bergthal Colony. Winnipeg, Wildlife Service. "The Physiochemistry, Flora and Manitoba: CMBC Publications, 1986. Fauna of Intermittent Prairie Streams: A Review of Spirn, Arure Whiston. The Graníte Garden: (Jrban the Literature." Biological Report. 89(5). 44pp. Nature and Human Desìgn. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Basic Books. 1984. Unpublished Manuscripts, Reports and Newsletters Steele, Fritz. The Sense of place. Boston, Massachusetts: CBI Publishing Company, Inc., 1981. "Community Stewardship of the Little River Vy'atershed." Teller, James T. and Lee Clayton, ed. Glacial Lake Little River Enhancement Group in conjunction with Agassiz. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1983. Department of Parks and Recreation. City of Windsor. Tuan, Yi-Fu. Space and Place: The Perspective of June 1995. Experience. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Mclachlan, Ted, and Alf Simon. "Nature in Parks: Parks Press, 1977. in Nature." Report Prepared for Department of Parks Tuan, Yi-Fu. Topophilia. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: and Recreation. City of Winnipeg. June 1996. Prentice-H all, Inc., 197 4. Nedotiafko, Robert J. "Ridge Road: Landform as Historic Urry, James. None But Saínts. London: Hyperion Press Resource." A Practicum Presented to the Department Ltd., lggg. of Landscape Architecture, University of Manitoba, Warkentin, Abe. Reflections on our Heritage: a history of t996. Steinbach and the R.M. of Hanoverfrom 1874. Paseo del Rìo Riverwalk Association - unpublished Steinbach, Manitoba: Derksen Printers Ltd., 197 1. documents, San Antonio, Texas.

~~References 79~~