Virden, a charming town nestled in southwestern Manitoba, Canada, is renowned as the "Oil Capital of Manitoba". The discovery of oil in 1951 marked a significant turning point in the town's history, transforming it into a bustling hub of activity.
Virden's history is deeply rooted in its farming community, originally known as Gopher Creek. The town's evolution began in 1882 when it became a railway tent town. The population grew with the flourishing brick and flour industry, and the discovery of oil in the 1950s further boosted its growth. The town's name, Virden, is believed to be a misspelling of the German town Verden, the homeland of the 7th Duke of Manchester's wife, Louisa Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire.
Strategically located at the junction of the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway #1) and Highway 83 (the "Palms to Pines" route), Virden is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Wallace – Woodworth. Its prime location has made it a regional service centre with a robust commercial sector. The town boasts several restaurants, gas stations, body shops, a movie theatre, and a performing arts theatre.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Virden had a population of 3,118, a decrease of 6.1% from its 2016 population of 3,322. The town spans a land area of 8.96 km2 (3.46 sq mi), resulting in a population density of 348.0/km2 (901.3/sq mi) in 2021. The median age in 2011 was 42.7 years, slightly higher than the national average of 40.6 years. The town had 1,446 dwellings with an occupancy rate of 95.1%, and the median cost of a dwelling was $159,748, significantly lower than the national average of $280,552. The majority of Virden residents are Canadian citizens (96.8%), with a small percentage of recent immigrants (3.2%). The racial makeup is predominantly Caucasian (92.0%), with a moderate Aboriginal population (5.5%) and a small visible minority population (2.7%).
The Virden Pioneer Home Museum, also known as the "Victorian Home on the Prairies", is a must-visit attraction in Virden. Housed in a red brick veneer home built by James Frame in 1888, the museum showcases an extensive collection of over eleven thousand donated artifacts related to Virden and its surrounding area. Open from May to September, the museum offers guided tours led by knowledgeable guides. The museum is located at 390 King Street West in Virden.
