Binscarth, Manitoba

Binscarth is an unincorporated urban community in the Municipality of Russell – Binscarth within the Canadian province of Manitoba that held village status prior to January 1, 2015. It is located approximately 167km northwest of Brandon and 16km south from Russell.The community was originally formed around a stock farm established by the Scottish Ontario and Manitoba Land Company some three miles northwest of the current townsite. It was named after the Company founder's ancestral home in the Orkney Islands. When the Manitoba and Northwestern Railway was built through the area in 1886, the railway station was established at the current site of SE15-19-28W, and the community soon relocated itself there, incorporating as a village in 1917. In 2015, Binscarth amalgamated with the town of Russell and the Municipality of Russell to form the Municipality of Russell-Binscarth.The economic base of Binscarth and area is a mix of agriculture and service businesses. Major industrial employers in the area include three potash mines nearby in Saskatchewan and a canola crushing plant at Harrowby Manitoba.NHL player Cody McLeod was born in Binscarth.Major attractionsThe Binscarth & District Gordon Orr Memorial Museum has a large collection of Native artifacts. The museum is also one of only a handful of museums to exhibit an extinct bison skull. Also on display is a Massey-Harris tractor, a binder, a seed drill, and a 6 H.P. International Engine dating from 1905. There is also a general store, summer kitchen, chapel, and school room. The museum is open in July and August.