We acknowledge that the land on which we gather is Treaty 2 land, traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Assiniboine, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and Homeland of the Métis Nation. We affirm our commitment to moving forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in a spirit of collaboration and reconciliation. We also recognize the colonial nature of early rail expansion and t
he role it played throughout North America in displacing and transforming Indigenous cultures. December 1896 saw the arrival of the first train to Dauphin, Manitoba on a small local railway called the Lake Manitoba Railway and Canal Company (LMRCC) that was purchased, owned and operated by future Canadian rail magnates Sir William Mackenzie and Sir Donald Mann. This event would spark the binding of over 550 communities across Canada with the development of the 16, 093km/9,500 mile transcontinental rail system called "Canada's Third Transcontinental", Canadian Northern Railway. The laying of rail from Gladstone, MB to Dauphin, MB would set forth a path that would forever change the landscape of immigration, settlement, agriculture and commerce in Canada. To this day this impact is felt with current day Canadian National Railway which is a $90 billion transportation company. Dauphin's current location and development as a community is a direct result of the arrival of the LMRCC in 1896. Dauphin was one of Canadian Northern’s most important divisional points. This station, built in 1912, is one of Manitoba’s finest pieces of railway architecture, with its impressive size, picturesque roofline, dormers, turrets and decorative brick and stone work. The Dauphin Rail Station was designated a Heritage Railway Station of Canada in 1990 and as a Manitoba Historical Site on January 27th, 1998. The Dauphin Rail Museum, formed in 2002, is located in the former baggage room within the large picturesque 1912 Pratt designed Canadian Northern Railway station. Dates of Interest:
September 9th 1896: It was announced that the location for the "new town" would be Section 10
September 16th 1896: It was reported that Donald Mann of the Lake Manitoba Railway and Canal Company (LMRCC) indicated his favour of the "new town" being known as Dauphin
September 23rd 1896: The preliminary survey of the "new town" was completed
September 30th 1896: It was reported that the survey of the "new town" was almost done
October 7th 1896: Lots were sold in the "new town"
Evening of November 7th 1896: Tracks were laid across Main St. November 9th 1896: The first telegram was dispatched from Dauphin to the outside world
December 15th 1896: The first train arrived into Dauphin
1899: Canadian Northern Railway incorporated
1905: Line between Winnipeg to Edmonton completed
February 1906: Dauphin's wood-fired steam plant providing electricity comes on line at a cost of $25,000 making it one of the first rural communities outside of Winnipeg to have electricity
Current Dauphin Roundhouse and Turntable constructed
1908: Surveys of the Rocky Mountains undertaken
1910: Canadian Northern Steamships formed
3rd week December 1912: Current Dauphin Railway Station built by Canadian Northern Railway and designed by renowned architect John Schofield
1915: Freight and passenger service established between Toronto and Winnipeg
October 1st 1917: Federal government takes control of Canadian Northern Railway. June 6, 1919: Canadian National Railway (CNR) was incorporated by an Act of Parliament and given Royal Assent on this date. January 20th 1923: Official merger of Canadian Northern Railway and Canadian Government Railways to create Canadian National Railway
June 19th 1924: The Dauphin Cenotaph unveiling to commemorate the men from the local area killed during WWI. April 25th 1960: Train #76 with Engine No. 6043 passed through Dauphin on it's way to Winnipeg as the last scheduled steam locomotive run in Canada
June 5th, 1972: Last train orders sent by telegraph in Canada by Dispatcher Jim Wynes in Dauphin to Operator Stan Pawtinksy in Swan River for CNR Train 804 in Swan River, MB.
1990: Dauphin Rail Station designated a Heritage Railway Station of Canada
January 27th 1998: Manitoba Heritage Council designates the Station as a Manitoba Historical Site No. 100
