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Arts, Culture & Heritage
In September of 1874, an entourage of 18 families from South Russia (presently Ukraine) stepped off a boat at Mennonite Landing Site at the junction of the Red and Rat Rivers. This group along with other members of the Kleine Gemeinde ("small church") left their homeland because the Russian government was threatening to discontinue the practice of military exemption for Mennonites (along with other reasons, such as scarcity of land). Led by Rev. Jacob Barkman, they made their way east on lumbering ox carts, and came to a stop at the edge of a creek where they set up their tents. This was the beginning of Steinbach, named after the "stony brook" which flowed at their feet as well as after their village in Russia.
Click here for more information about Steinbach's First Settlers, including their names and lot numbers.
The City of Steinbach is privileged to have a number of families pay tribute to their ancestors by way of a 'heritage park'. The City features more than ten 'heritage parks' throughout its downtown area as well as one larger one located beside the Jake Epp Library.
Located beside the Jake Epp Library, 255 Elmdale Street.
The Helena Loewen Park is a beautiful place to relax and read, being located beside the Jake Epp Library. This is the newest addition to the City’s parks. It’s beauty and serenity pay tribute to its namesake, Helena Loewen, a devout and patient woman who carefully tended to the growth of her family just as she did with her flowers and fruit trees that grew on this site.
Located at Steinbach Place, Main Street
Plaque inscription: This park was donated by the family of P.J. Reimer in his memory. This site was the location of 'PJ's' father, Jakob W. Reimer's first store built in 1905 and also the homestead of his grandfather, Klaas R. Reimer, one of 18 pioneers who founded Steinbach in 1874.
Located at Fairway Ford, Main Street
Plaque inscription: This park was donated by Olga Friesen in memory of her husband, E.J. Friesen and his father, J.R. Friesen. In 1903, J.R. Friesen established an implement dealership on this site, and in 1914 became the first automobile dealer in Steinbach, and one of the first Ford dealers in Western Canada. Upon his father's death in 1950, E.J. Friesen became the sole owner of J.R. Friesen & Son, until his retirement.
Located at Flag Pole, Steinbach City Hall, Reimer Avenue
Plaque inscription: This plaque commemorates the lives of Pioneer merchants Henry W. Reimer (1864-1941) & Anna (Wiebe) Reimer (1866-1932). Near this site stood the family home and the department store known as H.W. Reimer's Ltd. 1885-1965. The store was well known throughout Southeastern Manitoba. This park erected in loving memory by their grateful descendants. Summer 1998
Located at the corner of Kroeker Avenue and Main Street
Plaque inscription: To mark the home site and commemorate the lives of the pioneer family Cornelius P. (1862-1942) & Katherina (Toews) Kroeker (1866-1938). This park was erected by their grateful descendants. Summer 1998
Located at corner of PTH 12 (Brandt Street) and PTH 52 (Main Street)
Plaque inscription: This site marks the original homestead and commemorates the lives of the pioneer family of Peter S. Rempel (1889 - 1950) and Elizabeth Friesen Rempel ( 1894 - 1949). Dedicated by their grateful descendants. Summer 1999
Located across from City Hall  (225 Reimer Avenue)
Plaque inscription: A.D. Penner was born in 1910 and grew up on a farm five miles northwest of Steinbach where he acquired a lifelong love for horses. He left the farm in 1937 to establish the Dodge dealership in Steinbach. He coined the phrase “The Automobile City” and contributed greatly to Steinbach becoming a thriving center for automotive trade. In the 1950’s he also started a successful road construction and earthmoving business. At age 50 he earned his pilot’s licence and flew until age 85. He was instrumental in the building of the Steinbach Fly-In Golf Course. He enjoyed golfing, curling, skiing, water-skiing and riding horses and included his grandchildren in many of these activities. He served as Councillor from 1947 to 1957 and as Mayor from 1971 to 1980. He was a strong advocate for Steinbach, putting the community ahead of personal benefit. He was a dedicated family man, an active church member, a member of the Gideons, and an ardent supporter of Christian endeavours and world missions. A.D. was a man of vision, with a daring, imaginative, and determined spirit. We invite you to enjoy this park built in his honour. - The A.D. Penner Family -
Located at the corner of Main Street and Reimer Avenue
Plaque inscription: This park is in honor of our father, Frank F. Reimer, who was a Steinbach merchant and entrepreneur known as 'Carload Frank'. He lived in Steinbach and area from his birth in 1908 until 1967 when he and our mother, Margaret, moved to Winnipeg. Frank F. Reimer was a great grandson of pioneer, Klaas R. Reimer, who came to Steinbach in 1874 from what is now The Ukraine. The descendants of Klaas R. Reimer are: Abraham W. Reimer - son, Peter B. Reimer - grandson, Frank F. Reimer - great grandson. We, the children of Frank F. Reimer, are truly thankful for our Godly heritage and the fortitude of our ancestors. Delbert & Noreen Reimer, Donald & Anne Reimer, Gerald & June Reimer, Grace & Ken Betzold. 1999
Located at the Brookdale Mall, Main Street
Plaque inscription: This site marks the home and farm machinery business of Peter T. Barkman (1861-1936) and Katherina Reimer Barkman (1866-1940). Dedicated by their grateful descendants. Summer 2000
Located at the corner of Friesen Avenue and Main Street
Plaque inscription: Sebastian Sr. (1883-1949) and Eva (1884-1966) Rieger. Came to Canada from Austria-Hungary - Sebastian in 1900, Eva in 1905, and were married in 1907. Sebastian Sr. established a tailor shop and men's wear store near this site in 1915. Dedicated in their memory by their grateful descendants.
Located at the corner of Elmdale Street and Elm Avenue
 Plaque inscription: In Memory of Johann G. (1858-1937) and Margaretha Barkman (1858-1946). This park is situated on property formerly owned by them. Mr. Barkman, a man of integrity, served as Mayor of Steinbach for 25 years. Spiritual leadership, for the 18 families that founded Steinbach, was provided by Rev. Jacob M. Barkman, Father of the Mayor. He drowned in the Red River at Winnipeg in 1875. Erected by their grateful descendants. 2001. May a pause in this park leave you refreshed.
Located at L.A. Barkman Park
Plaque inscription: L.A. Barkman (1920-1979); Councillor 1952-1958; Mayor 1958-1970; MLA 1962-1973. A life dedicated to public service.
Located at Linden Place
Plaque inscription: This park is established in recognition of Heinrich Kreutzer (1873-1961) and Barbara Mauthe Kreutzer (1878-1931); their sons: William, Henry, John, Jack, Art & Ronald; their daughters: Elizabeth Pachal, Katherine Appler & Olga Topnik. Heinrich Kreutzer founded Kreutzer Blacksmith Shop in 1905. It was operated as a family business until 1970. The shop was located one block NE of this site on Main Street. It was well known throughout the area. On this site stood the last home of Heinrich Kreutzer (1940-1961).
Located at the corner of Elmdale Street and Reimer Avenue
Plaque inscription: This park is dedicated to the memory of Henry R. Sobering (1894-1975). For a quarter of a century the law was represented in Steinbach, the R.M. of Hanover and much of the Southeast by Henry R. Sobering. Standing at over six feet and weighing well over 200 lbs, Henry Sobering seldom required assistance in performing his duties. In 1922, Henry Sobering joined the Manitoba Provincial Police and served until 1932, when the RCMP took over policing. Henry R. Sobering was then hired by the R.M. of Hanover and the Village of Steinbach and continued as their police officer until 1947. The Henry R. Sobering descendants invite you to rest awhile, enjoy this park and take time to reflect on more peaceful times.
Are you a visitor to the community or a new resident who wants to know more about Steinbach's history? Our self-guided Heritage Walking Tour will provide you with hundreds of interesting historical facts about the pioneers who started this community and introduce you to some of the notable landmarks in Steinbach.
Download your copy of the Steinbach Heritage Walking Tour Map here.
.JPG) Steinbach's Heritage Walkway, so named on September 5, 2000, stretches along Elmdale Street from Highway 12 to Hespeler Street. The Heritage Walkway follows the Stony Brook, where the founding families settled originally.
On December 16, 2003, the community's central creek was named "Stony Brook" to recognize the historic importance of this site.
On November 2, 2004, the portion of Heritage Walkway from Brandt Street to Reimer Avenue became identified as "Johann G. Barkman Heritage Walkway" to honour and recognize the former Steinbach Mayor (1884-1912).
A plaque, located near the Jake Epp Public Library, reads as follows:
In September 1874 eighteen Mennonite families founded the village of Steinbach. Most of the families came from a South Russia (Ukraine) village also called Steinbach, meaning "Stone Creek." In Manitoba, the families ignored the Canadian custom of living on individual quarter sections. All farmers lived in the village and they divided the lands around the village into narrow strips, guaranteeing that all farmers received ownership to equal portions of good and inferior lands. The village main street was laid out parallel to "Stone Creek," running from the northwest corner of Section 35-6-6E to the southeast corner. This unique main street configuration allowed each farm equal access to the creek water and ensured well-drained farmsteads.
The Johann G. Barkman Heritage Walkway takes the pedestrian through what was once the back part of each of the original eighteen farmsteads. Each farmstead faced Main Street and was about 65 meters in width. The names of the original farm families can be located on the signposts along the walkway. Enjoy your encounter with the pioneer past.
Steinbach Heritage Committee
July 2003
 The J.R. Friesen House is Steinbach's only Heritage Site under the Province of Manitoba - The Heritage Resources Act. Currently owned by Jerry and Beverly Friesen, the house was declared an official heritage site on September 7, 2004. Initial owners of the home were J.R. & Maria (Reimer) Friesen.
The house was built by J.R. Friesen in 1916, and was a statement of magnificence and style. It was originally located on Main Street, beside the J.R. Friesen Ford dealership, and later moved to Hanover Street (in the mid 1950s). On Hanover Street, it was used first as a nursing home, and later as a nurse's residence - conveniently located next to the hospital.
The J.R. Friesen family was well known in the community. In 1903, J.R. Friesen established an implement dealership on Main Street and, in 1914, became the first automobile dealer in Steinbach, and one of the first Ford dealers in Western Canada.
The home has significant architectural and heritage value. The home has two full stories, with ten foot ceilings and is still heated with hot water radiators. It has some original light fixtures and chandeliers, plaster interior walls, four stained glass windows, transoms above the doors, the original staircase, and some of the original exterior fretwork.
The current owners' long term plans are to restore the 2-storey 2-sided veranda which was removed around the time the house was moved from Main Street to Hanover Street.
This bench is located at the corner of Main Street and Reimer Avenue, near the Clock Tower.
Inscription on the bench reads as follows:
Johann R. Reimer (1848-1918)
- This site - Lot No.10 - was the homestead of Johann R. Reimer, one of 18 pioneers who established Steinbach in 1874.
- In 1869, he married Anna Warkentin (1844-1880) with whom he had seven children: Anne, Elisabeth, Katharina and Helen, the other three dying in infancy.
- In 1882, he married Aganetha Barkman (1863-1938) with whom he had 10 children: Aganetha, Margaretha, Maria, Johann, Susanna, Jacob, Klaas, Abraham, Peter and Sara.
- Johann R. Reimer was a farmer who specialized in market gardening, with Winnipeg as his main market. One summer alone he took 17 loads of produce to Winnipeg by horse and wagon.
- He served as Schultz (Mayor) in 1880-81 and served a second term a few years later.
- He also donated the land for Steinbach's first cemetery (now known as the Pioneer Cemetery).
- In 1916, after 42 years, he was the last pioneer to leave his homestead in order to set up a new farm on his land holdings a mile east of Steinbach.
- Johann R. Reimer died of consumption (pneumonia) in 1918 after a lifetime of hard work while steadfastly following the Kleinegemeinde tradition of living his Christian faith in humble discipleship.
 The Mennonite Heritage Village brings to life the Mennonite way of life from the 16th century to present day.
The forty acre site spreads out from a village street, in a pattern reminiscent of Mennonite villages found throughout Southern Manitoba at the turn of the century. The north side of the street illustrates the early settlement buildings while the south side shows the gradual shift to various business enterprises.
The Village Centre, open year-round, features galleries that tell the story of Mennonite faith and culture through the centuries.
Books, art, and collectibles are available at the Gift Shop located in the main building. Local hand crafted items are a popular attraction in the General Store.
Mennonite Heritage Village exists to preserve and share the Mennonite heritage and illustrate a traditional way of life that has all but disappeared.
To find out more about the Mennonite Heritage Village and their calendar of events, visit their website at www.mennoniteheritagevillage.com.
The Steinbach Arts Council is housed at the Steinbach Cultural Arts Centre at 304 Second  Street. The Arts Council is run by a volunteer board whose members have a personal interest in its programming. They offer an annual concert series program featuring five different events during the season.
- XCompany (martial arts, hip hop, pilates, kid's classes) for ages 3-adult
- Social Dance - Beginner 1 & 2 for teens and adults
- Backyard Theatre Company (Grades 1 - 12)
- Manitoba Conservatory of Music and Arts (lessons in piano, violin, strings, Suzuki strings, woodwinds, brass, theory and Musictanz)
- Southeastern Manitoba Music Teachers Association
- Visual Arts Program (watercolor, oils, drawing, pottery, clay, folk art, and stained glass) for all ages
- Writers Club (workshops, guest writers, readings, music) for all ages
- Photography Club
Friends of the Arts is a non-profit group organized in 1999 to provide support and visibility to the Steinbach Arts Council. This is accomplished through the co-ordination of special projects as well as through practical assistance to the center.
For more information, contact Executive Director Cindi Rempel Patrick by phone at (204) 346-1077 or visit the Steinbach Arts Council website at www.steinbachartscouncil.ca.
 The mission of the Jake Epp Library is to provide access to resources that meet the educational, cultural, informational and leisure time needs of citizens of all ages and backgrounds. The library strives to foster a life long interest in reading.
The Library is fully computerized, making it quick and easy to access book information and location. The Library offers pre-school story hour, summer reading programs, on-going used book sales, and a variety of adult and children activities, including appearances by various authors. The Library's collection holds over 50,000 items - books, magazines, audio books, videos, DVDs, audio kits, language kits, microfilms, CDs, and newspapers. The Jake Epp Library has over 7,000 members, resulting in very high circulation statistics. The provincial statistics indicate that as a rural library, the Library ranks as being at the top for highest circulation per book in Manitoba. According to the 1999 statistic report, every item in the Library was circulated approximately four times during that calendar year.
The Library was constructed in 1996 and was named in honour of our former Member of Parliament for Provencher constituency. Mr. Epp served his constituents for 21 years from 1972 until his retirement from political office in 1993.
Friends of the Library is a registered non-profit group organized in 1996 to provide support and visibility to the Jake Epp Library through special projects as well as practical assistance in the library itself. Book clubs, organized by Friends of the Library, meet on a monthly basis.
Information on programs offered and resource material provided at the library is available by phone (204) 326-6841 or visit their website at www.jakeepplibrary.com.
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