Arborg, Manitoba, a charming town nestled along the Icelandic River, is a hidden gem in the Interlake Region of Manitoba, Canada. Located 103 kilometres north of Winnipeg, at the junction of Manitoba Highways 7 and 68, Arborg is surrounded by the Municipality of Bifrost - Riverton. As of the 2021 Canadian census, the town boasts a population of 1,279.
The name 'Arborg' is derived from the Icelandic word meaning "river town". This picturesque setting along the Icelandic River was first discovered by settlers of New Iceland in 1878. They saw the agricultural potential of the inland meadows and decided to settle in the area, which was then known as Riverton, Manitoba.
The history of Arborg, Manitoba, is a tale of resilience and growth. The first settlers near Arborg were the three Borgfjord brothers, Gudmundur, Porsteinn and Jon, who arrived in 1890. However, the area's development was hindered by a series of setbacks, including a smallpox outbreak in 1880.
The town saw a significant influx of settlers in the summer of 1900 when Icelandic settlers from North Dakota arrived in search of cheaper and available land. The settlers built roads, schools, churches, and community halls, and undertook drainage projects to allow the new agricultural fields to dry and produce large crops of wheat.
The greatest growth and change for Arborg came in 1910 when the Canadian Pacific Railway reached the settlement. The original railway station from 1910 still stands and is today a municipally recognized heritage site, converted into a public library.
Arborg, Manitoba, is a rich blend of cultures. The first Polish and Ukrainian settlers arrived in the area by 1908. The coming of the railroad brought large numbers of Ukrainians who settled throughout the district along with groups from other European countries. This cultural diversity gives Arborg its own distinct character.
Today, Arborg serves as a regional business hub for the Municipality of Bifrost-Riverton, home to grain farming, cattle ranches, and numerous manufacturing companies. Arborg offers government services, financial services, retail, construction supplies, and agricultural implements.
Arborg, Manitoba, experiences a similar summer to other prairie cities with an August high of 24.0C. Winters are cold, and spring and autumn offer pleasant weather. The town receives an annual precipitation of 499.4mm (19.7 inches).
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Arborg had a population of 1,279 living in 499 of its 531 total private dwellings, a change of 3.8% from its 2016 population of 1,232. With a land area of 2.22 km2 (0.86 sq mi), it had a population density of 576.1/km2 (1,492.2/sq mi) in 2021.
The Arborg & District Multicultural Heritage Village is a working open-air museum and interpretive centre located just outside the town on Highway 68. It preserves and showcases the multicultural history of the area. The Heritage Village had its grand opening on 24 May 2008 and features a hall, church, caboose, outdoor bake oven and three houses. A school has been moved on the site and is currently awaiting restoration along with a foreman's rail car.
Arborg is also home to the world's largest curling rock, which measures 4.2 m (13.78 ft) across and 2.1 m (6 ft 10.68 in) tall. Unlike an actual curling rock, it is constructed with steel, foam, and fiberglass, with most of the weight consisting in the steel support beams.
