heritage tourist attraction

For more information, go to

www.sourismanitoba.com

Hillcrest Museum

Step back in time by visiting the Hillcrest Museum. See what

life was like in the 1900s. With its wide variety of period

displays, the “castle” overlooking the Souris River makes the

past come alive.

History

The Museum was built in 1910 by Fred Sowden, the son of

Souris’ founder. Its unique “castle-like” design makes it a

unique structure in Manitoba.

Exhibits:

Period displays showcasing life in the early 1900s

See this historical building that was once named as one of Canada’s top heritage properties

Learn about the origins of Souris

Learn about the founder of Souris and his family

Learn about the people from the community that were sent to fight in World War II

Agricultural exhibit

Mounted butterfly collection

Vintage fire engine

CPR caboose

Built in 1910

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First St. S

Swinging

Bridge

Downtown

Souris

Hillcrest

Museum

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The Plum

The Plum Museum is Souris’ oldest remaining public

building, erected in 1883. This heritage building celebrates

the rich history of the area.

History

The Plum was originally St. Luke’s Anglican Church that

was built in 1883. Its construction was a requirement for the

Squire Sowden’s colonization party due to the Federal

Government assistance given. The church was

decommissioned in 1989 and was moved to its current

location to become a museum. This heritage building,

restored to its original Victorian colors of plum and

chocolate brown, is one of Western Manitoba’s oldest

church buildings.

Exhibits:

Period displays and an outdoor heritage games room

Experience an extraordinary church building with rare stain glass windows

Learn about the origins of Souris

Victorian Tea Room that offers sweets, thirst quenching ice crème floats and Plum Punch

Learn about famous people who once called Souris their home

Gift shop with local crafts and souvenirs

Built in 1883

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First St. S

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Downtown

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The Plum

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The Souris Railway Museum

The Souris Railway Museum stands as a tribute to the

railway industry and the families that were connected to it.

Experience first hand what it would be like to drive a train

using the diesel engine simulator. See the one-of-a-kind

artifacts, historical records and memorabilia from those who

worked on the railways.

History

The Museum started when an old rail pay car was

discovered at an antique shop. An ad hoc committee was

formed to create, manage and finance the Souris Railway

Museum. The Museum was fully operational in August 2011.

A diesel locomotive simulator was installed in 2015. This item

was donated to the Museum by The New York Air Brake Co.

of Fort Worth, Texas. It was formerly leased by the C.P.R. in

Calgary for the training and testing of railway engineers.

Exhibits:

Experience first hand a diesel engine simulator that was once used to train CPR conductors

See inside an actual CPR Rail Car

Learn about the railway industry and the life of a railway worker

Learn about the importance the railway industry played in western Canada

See how railroaders would communicate with a fully functional telegraph machine, including original dispatcher’s phone and a working telegraph key and sounder

See rare historical records that date back as far as 1891

See personal memorabilia, uniforms, and maps

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First St. S

Swinging

Bridge

Downtown

Souris

Souris Railway

Museum

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diesel engine simulator



The Souris Agate Pit

Unearth buried treasure at the Souris Agate Pit where

fossils and the largest assortment of semi-precious stones

in North America can be found. With a pit permit, you can

hunt for these rocks yourself.

Things to Do:

Learn about geology and glacial deposits

Hunt for unique rocks and fossils

Discover semi-precious gems, epidote, jasper, petrified wood and fossils (paleozoic and mesozoic era)

Permits to explore the Agate

Pit can be found at The Rock

Shop (8 1st St S, Souris).

Tours can be arranged by

contacting The Rock Shop at

(204) 483-2561.



The Swinging Bridge

Experience the thrill of being on Canada’s longest pedestrian

suspension bridge. Originally constructed in 1904, the bridge

has evolved over the past 112 years to its current status.

Reconstructed in 2013, the Swinging Bridge is a lasting

landmark of the community and a Manitoba Star Attraction.

This new bridge has been built to imitate the swaying motion

of the previous bridge.

History

Built in 1904 by Squire W.H. Sowden to more easily access

his property on the east bank of the river that was being used

as farmland. Sowden donated the bridge to the town in 1907.

The people of Souris have used this bridge to cross the river

for over 100 years.

Interesting Facts:

The bridge is 604 ft (184 meters) in length

The 2013 rebuild cost $4.5 million

The bridge was rebuilt after the floods of 1912, 1961, 1976 and 2011 that destroyed the bridge

The 2013 bridge has been constructed to withstand 300 year flood levels and is approximately 1.7 meters higher than the previous bridge

The bridge can hold up to 1,000 people at one time

The bridge was commemorated by Canada Post with a special stamp as part of a series of distinct Canadian bridges

First built in 1904

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First St. S

Swinging

Bridge

Downtown

Souris

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Victoria Park

Located along Plum Creek, the natural treasure of Victoria Park has served as the heart of Souris since 1897. This park is the main outdoor park and recreational area within Souris.

Things To Do:

Enjoy the heated outdoor pool that provides fun for any age. With its four slides, lazy river and beach-like entry, the Souris pool is the place to be to beat the heat this summer

Explore more of the park by using the walking trail

Overlook the whole park by going to the Lookout Tower

See the Mystical Old Oak Tree. Believed to be over five centuries old, the tree is designated as a Heritage Tree under the Manitoba Heritage Trees Program

Souris Elks Playground is a great place for children to have fun outside

Victoria Park is also home to the peacocks, the community’s ambassadors. These birds can be found in and around Victoria Park and the downtown area

Old Tree

Lookout Tower

Swinging Bridge

Playground

Pool

Victoria Park

heritage tourist attraction

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