New Bothwell, Manitoba
Encyclopedia
New Bothwell is a community in the Canadian
province of Manitoba
, 49°35′26"N 96°53′25"W, located about 15 km northwest of Steinbach
on Highway #216, in the rural municipality of Hanover
. In 2001 it had a population of about 530.
New Bothwell is serviced by a post office, a restaurant/gas bar, recreation center (including a skating rink, baseball diamonds, picnic shelter, and main hall), an elementary/junior high school, and two nearby churches. The chamber of commerce consists of local entrepreneurs and together with the local recreation committee, organizes communities events such as the fall dinner, the winter carnival, and the summer fair.
. Established in 1936, Bothwell Cheese was a co-operative owned by the local diary producers. Over the years Bothwell Cheese has earned a solid reputation producing over 30 varieties of cheese. New Bothwell is well-known throughout the region for its cheese.
The first public school districts in the area - Arran, Moray, Seaton, and Bothwell - were created in 1919. The Bothwell School was located a half mile east of Kronsthal. Not long after the school was opened, businesses (such as the cheese factory in 1936) and families began to locate themselves near the school. In effect, the entire community ended up moving a half mile east.
Kronsthal officially became "New Bothwell" in 1939, when the post office was established. "Bothwell" had been the first choice to register as the community's official name, as it was the name of the public school. However, this name was already registered in Ontario.
By the 1960s, New Bothwell remained as the only village in the surrounding area. Nearly all of the businesses were now located in New Bothwell, as well as the post office. The old school districts that served the area were eliminated and replaced with a new government run school at New Bothwell, part of the new Hanover School Division
. Although no longer in existence, the old villages and school districts are still referred to by those who remember them.
In the 1990s, the Rural Municipality of Hanover established a new volunteer fire department in New Bothwell. The fire department is responsible for the New Bothwell area, as well much of the northeastern portion of municipality.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
province of Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
, 49°35′26"N 96°53′25"W, located about 15 km northwest of Steinbach
Steinbach, Manitoba
Steinbach is a city of approx. 13,500 people in the southeast corner of the province of Manitoba, Canada, a short distance from the capital Winnipeg. Steinbach is the largest community in the Eastman region of Manitoba. The city is located in the R.M. of Hanover and bordered to the east by the R.M...
on Highway #216, in the rural municipality of Hanover
Hanover, Manitoba
Hanover is a rural municipality in southeastern Manitoba, Canada. It is located southeast of Winnipeg. It is located in Division No. 2. The city of Steinbach is located in the northeastern part of the municipality, although it is self-governing and is not technically part of the Hanover...
. In 2001 it had a population of about 530.
New Bothwell is serviced by a post office, a restaurant/gas bar, recreation center (including a skating rink, baseball diamonds, picnic shelter, and main hall), an elementary/junior high school, and two nearby churches. The chamber of commerce consists of local entrepreneurs and together with the local recreation committee, organizes communities events such as the fall dinner, the winter carnival, and the summer fair.
Bothwell Cheese
New Bothwell is home to award-winning cheese producer Bothwell CheeseBothwell Cheese
Bothwell Cheese is an independently owned Canadian cheese maker known for its award winning cheeses, which are branded under the same name. The company, located in New Bothwell, Manitoba, was founded in 1936 as co-operative by local farmers...
. Established in 1936, Bothwell Cheese was a co-operative owned by the local diary producers. Over the years Bothwell Cheese has earned a solid reputation producing over 30 varieties of cheese. New Bothwell is well-known throughout the region for its cheese.
History
The New Bothwell area was settled by Mennonites who immigrated from Russia in the 1870s. Several small villages were established throughout the area, although nearly all have disappeared. One of the original villages was Kronsthal (generally translated as "Crown Valley" although local historians suggest "Crane Valley" may have been the intent), which was located about a half mile west of the current location of New Bothwell. It consisted of a few farms and a private school, among other things.The first public school districts in the area - Arran, Moray, Seaton, and Bothwell - were created in 1919. The Bothwell School was located a half mile east of Kronsthal. Not long after the school was opened, businesses (such as the cheese factory in 1936) and families began to locate themselves near the school. In effect, the entire community ended up moving a half mile east.
Kronsthal officially became "New Bothwell" in 1939, when the post office was established. "Bothwell" had been the first choice to register as the community's official name, as it was the name of the public school. However, this name was already registered in Ontario.
By the 1960s, New Bothwell remained as the only village in the surrounding area. Nearly all of the businesses were now located in New Bothwell, as well as the post office. The old school districts that served the area were eliminated and replaced with a new government run school at New Bothwell, part of the new Hanover School Division
Hanover School Division
Hanover School Division is a rural school division in Manitoba, Canada. It has its major centre in Steinbach, Manitoba which is the fastest growing city in Manitoba, and the third largest city in Manitoba with a population of around 13,000. The division is located southeast of Winnipeg and the...
. Although no longer in existence, the old villages and school districts are still referred to by those who remember them.
In the 1990s, the Rural Municipality of Hanover established a new volunteer fire department in New Bothwell. The fire department is responsible for the New Bothwell area, as well much of the northeastern portion of municipality.