Little Grand Rapids is a charming community nestled in east central Manitoba, Canada, near the Ontario border. Approximately 280 kilometers or 173 miles north-northeast from Winnipeg, Manitoba, this unique location is a fly-in community, accessible only by a winter road. Planes fly into the Little Grand Rapids Airport, making it a unique destination for those seeking a remote getaway.
Despite its remote location, Little Grand Rapids is home to a Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment and a Northern Store, ensuring the community's essential needs are met. The community is situated at the mouth of the Berens River on Family Lake, which is part of the Lake Winnipeg watershed.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Little Grand Rapids had a population of 0 living in 0 of its 0 total private dwellings, a change of -100% from its 2016 population of 15. With a land area of 1.47 km2 (0.57 sq mi), it had a population density of 0.0/km2 (0.0/sq mi) in 2021.
The history of Little Grand Rapids dates back to 1801 when the Hudson's Bay Company established a wintering post called Big Fall or Great Fall in the area, reporting to Osnaburgh House. It operated until 1805, and again from at least 1816 to 1821.
In 1865, the outpost was reestablished by William McKay and was called Grand Rapid, named after the rapids on the Berens River. It was supplied from York Factory until 1871, and then from Winnipeg via Lake Winnipeg and the Berens River.
In 1888, it became a full trading post and was renamed to Little Grand Rapids to distinguish it from the Grand Rapids post on the west side of Lake Winnipeg. In the early 20th century, the outposts at Pikangikum, Deer Lake, and Poplar River were operated from the Little Grand Rapids post.
In 1921, the last York boat was used to supply the post from Berens River. In 1941, a lightning fire destroyed all the buildings and the post was rebuilt half a mile to the east. In 1959, the post became part of the HBC Northern Stores Department, which was divested by HBC in 1987 to The North West Company, which still operates a Northern Store in Little Grand Rapids.
