Cartwright, an unincorporated urban community in the Cartwright – Roblin Municipality, is a gem nestled within the Canadian province of Manitoba. It held village status prior to January 1, 2015, having been originally incorporated as a village on December 31, 1947.
The original location of Cartwright, also known as the Badger or Old Cartwright, was established in 1879 by pioneers following the Boundary Commission Trail. It was situated along the Badger Creek and began on two townsites, one owned by P.C. McKibbin, the other by J.C. Waugh. The two men admired Sir Richard Cartwright and agreed to name their communities "Cartwright." Waugh's land, being directly on the Boundary Commission Trail, became the area truly considered Cartwright.
In 1885, the location of Cartwright was moved 3.2 kilometres south to its present location to coincide with the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway line through that area. Today, the community of Cartwright is located at the corner of Highway #5 and Highway #3 in the RM of Roblin, within the Province of Manitoba, in Canada.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Cartwright had a population of 353 living in 172 of its 188 total private dwellings. This was a slight change of 0.3% from its 2016 population of 352. With a land area of 1.88 km2 (0.73 sq mi), it had a population density of 187.8/km2 (486.3/sq mi) in 2021.
Cartwright is primarily a farming community. However, it also includes a manufacturing industry, featuring trailer manufacturing, a trailer parts supply company, a small mechanic shop, an Ag and Auto repair shop, a farm supply store, "Ready To Move" or "RTM" house construction, cabinet-makers, and associated supply retailers.
The local newspaper, the Review, was started in 1899 by Robert J.C. Stead. In 1904, the paper was renamed The Southern Manitoba Review. In 1908, the paper was taken over by Stead's brothers-in-law, D.J. and Will Wallace and continues to operate in the Wallace family today.
Cartwright is home to several places of interest. The Clay Banks (buffalo jump), a site about 2,500 years old, was used by Sonata and Besant First Nations as a hunting tool. Hunters would stampede American Bison over these cliffs, later carving up the animal carcasses below for use as food, tools, and clothing.
The Heritage Park Museums is a collection of historic buildings including a shoe repair shop, post office, Manitoba Telephone System building, and a single-room school house. Each building contains a collection of artifacts relating to the building's former use.
The Blacksmith Museum, a fully restored and working blacksmith's shop, is open upon request. The Badger Creek Crossing Cairn marks the original site of Old Cartwright.
For golf enthusiasts, the Cartwright Town & Country Golf Club offers a 9-hole golf course. Rock Lake Beach, approximately 18 km north of Cartwright, features lots for cabins, fishing, boating and other water recreation.
Every August long weekend, the community comes alive with Ponderosa Days, Cartwright's annual summer celebration.
