Glenboro, Manitoba, an unincorporated urban community in the Municipality of Glenboro – South Cypress, is a charming destination with a rich history and a variety of amenities. Located approximately 80 km southeast of the City of Brandon, Glenboro serves as a service centre for the surrounding farming community. With a population of 624 as per the 2016 census, this community is a testament to the enduring spirit of rural Manitoba.
One of the most recognizable landmarks in Glenboro is "Sara the Camel", a 17′ statue created in October 1978 by Mr. George Barone of Barone Sculptures in Winnipeg. This emblematic statue represents the nearby Spirit Sands and has been used to promote Glenboro and the adjacent Spruce Woods Provincial Park.
The Glenboro area has a rich history, with records indicating that explorers may have visited the area as early as the 1730s. The first permanent European settlers, Jonas Christie and James Duncan, arrived in 1879, and the community grew rapidly after the federal Homestead Act was passed in 1880. The arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in 1886 further spurred the community's growth. The Queens Hotel, constructed in 1881, was the first permanent building in Glenboro and continues to stand today. In 1950, Glenboro was formally incorporated as a village.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Glenboro had a population of 544 living in 251 of its 275 total private dwellings. This represented a change of -12.8% from its 2016 population of 624. With a land area of 2.69 km2 (1.04 sq mi), Glenboro had a population density of 202.2/km2 (523.8/sq mi) in 2021.
Glenboro offers a variety of amenities for residents and visitors alike. The community boasts an eleven-bed hospital, a 9-hole golf course established in 1922, and the Glenboro Airport, an unpaved airfield suitable for light aircraft. The Glenboro School, a kindergarten to Grade 12 school, currently serves around 230 pupils with a staff of 17. The community is also home to the CFB Shilo and a museum. The iconic "Sara the Camel" statue, a tribute to the nearby Manitoba Desert, has stood at the side of Highway No. 2 since 1978.
