What's in a name? The History of Our Streets
Feb 17, 2016
The RM of Macdonald, in which Oak Bluff West lies, was named after Sir John A. Macdonald and came into being on May 25, 1881. Throughout the late 1800s, a handful of settlers came to the area, establishing the roots of Oak Bluff and the RM of Macdonald. The streets of Oak Bluff West have been named after these historical figures, as well as beautiful prairie elements that are abundant in Manitoba.
We want to share with you a brief history of the names that have been chosen for streets within our community.
Benson Boulevard
August Benson was a Swedish immigrant who arrived to the area of Oak Bluff in 1888. He had with him a suitcase filled with lilac and caragana shoots and introduced these flowering plants to the region.
Blacksmith Road
An important trade in the 19th century, the first blacksmith shop in Oak Bluff was set up by Fred Buckingham, the son of an English settler.
Casselman Crescent
The Casselman’s were the first people to settle in the area that is now known as Oak Bluff. Benjamin Casselman arrived in 1870 from Morrisburg, Ontario with his wife, seven daughters and one son. They lived there for nearly ten years before anyone else came to the area. The girls rode ponies to St. Charles' convent to attend school. They also fetched their supplies from the St. Charles settlement and took their flour there to be ground.
Horizon Drive
Named for the natural beauty of the prairie horizon that is visible from almost any home in Oak Bluff West.
