Early In 1902, the R.M. of Minitonas had been organized, up until this time no definite definite cemetery site had been chosen. Mother's oldest sister (Isobel), Mrs. John Metcalfe of Bowman, had contracted a Terminal disease (Tuberculosis) and her wish was that her body could be interred near her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Knox of Minitonas. As her husband had been elected first Councillor of Ward 4, his first concern was to locate a cemetery in this area. At that time Section 19-36-25(-W1) and Section 13-36-26(-W1) were owned by the McKenzie and Mann Railroad Company. This land was known as the "Company Farm" and manager Mr. John "Reddy" Campbell obtained permission to locate a cemetery (land given free) on the N.W. corner of 19-36-26(-W1). Thus the grave of my aunt, Mrs. Metcalfe, became first grave in Minitonas Cemetery.

When the Home Economics Society (later known as the Women's Institute) was organized in 1915 one of the first projects was the improvement and care of the cemetery. As there was not ary Herd Law the first undertaking was the building of a fence, a tool shed, digging of well, and providing a pump and the landscaping of the driveway.

As look back on 90 years of progress and into the future of a century, let us remember the many hours of gratis labor that has gone Into the institutions of Minitonas community: churches, schools, rinks, and not least of all Minltonas Cemetery.

(as told to me by my mother, Mrs. Thomas Martin)

-- Submitted by Mrs O McKay

(Source: Tent Town 1898-1979 - A History of Minitonas and District, p 14 [1979; Adapted])

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Dominion Land Survey coordinates: LSD13-19-36-25-W1

In the Municipality of Minitonas-Bowsman

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As partially noted above, a part of the community's story, and those of its inhabitants, from the early days of European settlement through roughly 1988 is told in the following local history volumes:

- Tent Town 1898-1979 - A History of Minitonas and District

- Lasting Impresssions - Historical Sketches of the Swan River Valley (1984)

- 80 Years in the Swan River Valley 1888 - 1968

- 100 Years in the Swan River Valley 1888 - 1988

Free digital versions of these and many other Manitoba local history books can be found online in the University of Manitoba Digital Collections. There is also a list of such books organized by district and town name on the Manitoba Historical Society's website on their page entitled "Finding Aid: Manitoba Local History Books".