Dauphin Community Profile

Geography

Arriving from the west, the Rural Municipality of Dauphin unfolds from a transition of productive farmland to a busy urban region. A growing industrial area buffered by trees and river from the centrally located business area heralds beyond the shoreline of Lake Dauphin. The skyline of grain elevators reflect the agricultural business base, which has assured the Dauphin Valley a diversified economy in grain growing, specialty crops, livestock breeding, commercial gardening, honey producing, dairy and poultry raising.

History

Francois de la Verendrye discovered Lake Dauphin in 1739, naming it after the heir to the throne in France (the “Dauphin”). Francois explored the surrounding region and established Fort Dauphin. The proliferation of fur traders and the construction of the Hudson Bay Trading Post in the 1800’s, helped spread word about the fertile land surrounding the lake. With visions of wealth and freedom, the first frontier settlers of Scottish and English descent moved to the valley. Sawmills, flour mills and trading posts sprang up along the Vermillion River, Wilson River and the mouth of the Valley River.

With the opening up of the heart of the region, population virtually poured in. Although the region was first settled by people of Irish and Scottish descent, immigrants soon arrived from England, Germany, Central Europe and the Ukraine. Dauphin quickly emerged as the main trading centre in central western Manitoba. Dauphin was incorporated as a Village in 1898 and as a Town on November 21, 1901 and as a city it currently serves a trading area of over 42,500.

Economic Base

The City of Dauphin serves as an agricultural service centre for much of the surrounding area. Much of the local economy is agriculturally driven, with producers growing everything from grains, oilseeds and livestock to honey bees and industrial hemp.

The RM of Dauphin’s trading area of over 40,000 people also supports a strong retail and wholesale industry. The City of Dauphin is the hub of the 25,000 square kilometre Parkland Region, it has an active Chamber of Commerce and many new and expanding shops are introducing a more diversified and specialized range of products to local consumers.

Dauphin has a strong manufacturing and processing industry that supplies products locally, nationally and internationally.

Major Attractions

The region surrounding the RM of Dauphin boasts Duck Mountain Provincial Park and Porcupine Provincial Park. Beautiful Riding Mountain National Park also borders the RM on the south. Hunting and fishing are very popular in the RM of Dauphin. The two provincial parks and Riding Mountain National Park, provide numerous recreational and sporting opportunities.

Dauphin’s environmental assets are second to none in Manitoba. With the beautiful Riding Mountain escarpment forming an impressive backdrop to the Dauphin Valley, the island of trees amidst the checkerboard countryside compliment well kept residential sections, which account for the frequently used description “Dauphin the Beautiful.” The central city-owned park and their treed borders, also mark the windings of the Vermillion River as it passes through the city.

Facilities—Recreation, Parks, Culture

The Rural Municipality of Dauphin and the City of Dauphin play host to the annual Canadian Ukrainian Festival. The festival has something to offer for everyone!

A strong economic base, many amenities and facilities and an exceptional quality of life makes this region a prime destination for business, pleasure or a beautiful place to live.

RM of Dauphin	Phone: (204) 638-4531 Fax: (204) 638-7598 E-Mail: Website: www.dauphin.ca Reeve: Dennis Forbes CAO: Marlene Durston
Box 574 Highway 20A East Dauphin, MB R7N 2V4