Bowsman

Bowsman
Bowsman Location of Bowsman in Manitoba
Coordinates:
Country	Canada
Province	Manitoba
Incorporated	1949
Population (2006)
• Total	315
	[1]

Bowsman is a former village in the Canadian province of Manitoba. It is located within the Municipality of Minitonas – Bowsman. The community is 16 kilometres north of the Town of Swan River. Bowsman was originally incorporated as a village in 1949.

History

Bowsman School, 1914

J.B. Tyrell, a surveyor, came up with the name "Bowsman" after the first man out of the bow of the boat who touched the land. Bowsman was originally known as "Bowsman River" because of the river. They switched the name from Bowsman River to Bowsman because they felt that there were too many communities in the valley that had river in their name.

Bowsman's claim to fame is the "Biffy Burning". This happened on New Year's Eve as part of the celebration for Canada's Centennial Year, which was in 1967. The community's residents burned their outhouses to celebrate the arrival of sewer service to the community. Apparently Bowsman's postal code was changed to R0L 0H0 which stands for "Roll Our Loyal Out Houses Over" in honour of this event.

Economy

The economy is supported by agriculture and logging. Currently the community offers a grocery store, a hotel with restaurant and lounge, K–8 school, hockey arena, curling rink, library, post office, and fire hall.

External links

• Bowsman and District Lions Club
• Bowsman and District Lions Club Facebook page
• Map of Bowsman at Statcan