New life in an old town Neepawa is having a growth spurt By: Shel Zolkewich Posted: 2:00 AM CDT Saturday, Sep. 6, 2025

A weathered tombstone stands in the historic Riverside Cemetery at Neepawa’s northern edge. The date of Lewis Hickman’s passing was April 15, 1912, and for aficionados of one famous ocean liner, that date is significant.

But how did a prairie cemetery in Canada come to be the final resting place of a Titanic victim?

In 1908, Leonard Hickman — the younger brother of Lewis — emigrated to Neepawa and found rewarding work at Harold Honeyman’s farm. A few years later, he travelled back to England and convinced his brothers, Lewis and Stanley, to come to Canada.

During the chaos on the sinking ship, Lewis grabbed his brother Leonard’s coat and went up on deck. His body was the 256th recovered and was identified as that of Leonard because a membership card for the Neepawa Foresters Lodge was found in his pocket.

The lodge arranged to have the body sent to Neepawa for burial, believing it was their member, Leonard. Just before the funeral, it came to light that it was not Leonard, but his brother Lewis.

The bodies of the other two brothers were never recovered but they are commemorated along with Lewis on the tombstone.

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History runs deep in Neepawa, one of Manitoba’s oldest towns, established in 1883. Gardens burst with multicoloured blooms through the summer season. The arched windows of century-old homes pull you back in time. There’s an undeniable urge to slow down here as the Yellowhead Highway slides through what’s long been hailed as Manitoba’s prettiest town.

But there are plenty of new things, too, as Neepawa takes its place as one of the province’s fastest growing towns, bustling with work at HyLife’s pork processing plant and as the finishing touches are being added to a new hospital. Here’s your roadmap of what to do when you visit.

1. Stories from home

Run your fingers across the typewriter of Canadian literary giant Margaret Laurence, now part of the collection housed in her childhood home. The museum pays tribute to the author of The Stone Angel, a story that takes place in a town based on Neepawa. Venture to the Riverside Cemetery to see the stone angel monument.

2. A park for all

Rock drops, tabletop jumps and wall rides will delight mountain bike enthusiasts across the 5.1 kilometre dedicated course at the HyLife Back Forty Multi-Use Trail Park. And if you didn’t understand any of that, fear not. The park also includes plenty of trails for two-legged and four-legged adventurers, too.

3. A taste of the Philippines

There’s a significant Filipino population in Neepawa and that means new tastes for visitors to explore. Lola’s Bakery specializes in decadent desserts, delicious doughnuts and pizza. At Rotor’s Bakery, sample banana fritters, steamed pork buns, leche flan and pizza, too. Tsibog’s Eatery & Catering offers a revolving menu of Filipino favourites such as chicken adobo, pancit and spring rolls.

4. Get your beer here

Pick up Neepawa’s homegrown brews at the Craft Beer Store. Farmery Brewery makes a variety of much-loved craft beer, AlcoPops in four flavours, beer Caesars and coolers, and a variety of non-alcohol drinks, including Aunt Bea’s cold brewed tea and NEDI energy drinks. Pop into the shop and stock up on Farmery merchandise, too.

5. Take in a show

The Roxy Theatre was built in 1906 to replace the town’s opera house after it was damaged by fire. In the 1930s, it was remodelled into a movie theatre, and since then has hosted live performances, community events and of course, movies! It’s been operated by volunteers since 1988.

6. A kid’s store and more

You can’t miss the fanciful exterior of hid’n hollow on Davidson Street in downtown Neepawa. Inside, it’s even more magical with children’s toys, books, board games, comics, stuffies and lots and lots of Lego. Get lost in the world of imagination and creativity in this charming shop.

7. Make it Minnedosa

Take a 15-minute drive to the town of Minnedosa where Dari Isle Drive-In serves up mouth-watering smash burgers and poutine, and for dessert, Skor bar nachos with waffle chips, warm caramel sauce and vanilla soft serve. But get there soon. It’s a seasonal shop that closes this month. While you’re in town, pop into Inspire Studio, a florist shop/art gallery/gift shop that celebrates the artists of western Manitoba.