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Those who live in Charleswood know it is The Suburb Beautiful. (TRAVIS MITCHELL)

Whether you are a long time resident, recently made a move to Charleswood, or are just an occasional visitor, you may not know the history of Charleswood. But, now that this part of Winnipeg is celebrating its 100th year, we look back on what has made this one great neighbourhood.

In 1906, a gentleman named Patrick H. Kelly moved from Perth County, Ont., and settled on 500 acres of land in the Rural Municipality of Assiniboia. Kelly built a general store and was a major contributing factor to bringing in a post office and persuading the Winnipeg Electric Railway Company to bring service out to the residents in the area. Over time, he also encouraged residents to apply to create a separate municipality called Charleswood.

Charleswood’s major developments were just after the Second World War, when European immigrants were moving to Canada. It was around this time that you would have seen the creation of areas such as Roblin Park, Marlton and Varsity View.

In 1972, Charleswood officially joined the City of Winnipeg, and major construction on the community followed as over 7,500 homes were built in the 1970s.

The look of Charleswood has stayed relatively the same since the ’80s. There have been a few notable projects, such as the Charleswood Bridge. We’ve also seen retail spaces come and go, and a few green spaces become homes to those wanting to be a part of this community.

When friends or co-workers find out I’m from Charleswood, I often hear about the time they visited a great restaurant in the area or spent the day in Assiniboine Park, and it’s those stories that make our area a wonderful place to call home.

Maybe you’ve heard the music fill the air from Charleswood-in-Motion Days, or you’ve had to slow down while driving past one of several deer that fill our streets.

These are the unique features that truly define us. We are The Suburb Beautiful — 100 years strong!

Travis Mitchell is a community correspondent for Charleswood. Comments and story ideas can be sent to him at news@travismitchell.ca.