Virden, Manitoba — Canadas Prairie Region (North America)
Past
⎯⎯⎯
Present
Verdin Welcomes You
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2022
1. Past / Present Marker
Past
Originally known as Gopher Creek, had its first Post Office established in 1883, and with the continual growth of the C.P.R. westward, soon became a thriving town. The first oil well of the Daly Field of Virden was successfully drilled approximately 8 miles west of the town site in January, 1951. Virdens first industry was the operation of a Brick Yard, then Agriculture, a Grist Mill, a Flour Mill, a small agricultural parts Manufacturing Company, and a Creamery, with which the dedicated Pioneers carried on.
Virden has been the home of:
Dave Rockola, inventor of the Juke Box
Dr. Ballard, Founder of Dr. Ballard Pet Food
Lila Acheson Wallace, co-founder of Readers Digest
Terry McLean, renowned Artist
XII Manitoba Dragoons 1889-1964
No. 19 Elementary Flying Training School/British Commonwealth Air Training Plan November 1940 to November 1944
Present
A Well of Opportunity
Not Over It, Not Around it, But Through It, to appreciate Virden's opportunities for Recreation, the Arts, Industry, Commerce, Shopping, Education, Accommodations, Health Care, Heritage Buildings, Camping and Dining Out.
Places to Visit
St.
this page online
Victoria Park, established in 1897
Round Building on Fair Grounds, built in 1904
C.P.R. Station, built in 1900
Virden Auditorium Theatre, built in 1911
Virden Public Library, established in 1918 (now Border Regional Library)
The Pioneer Home Museum, established in 1970
The Terry McLean Art Gallery, established in 1989
Experience Friendly Manitoba right here in Virden
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.
Location. 49° 51.028′ N, 100° 55.744′ W. Marker is in Virden, Manitoba. It is on 6 Avenue South just south of Nelson Street West, on the left when traveling south. The marker is on the south side of the Virden Historic Centre. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 425 6 Avenue South, Virden MB R0M 2C0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically,
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2022
2. Virden Past
Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Fifty-Millionth Barrel of Crude Oil (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); Municipal Building and Auditorium / Immeuble Municipal et Auditorium (about 240 meters away); Virden's Oil Heritage (approx. 0.4 kilometers away).
Also see . . . Virden, Manitoba (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: Virden has its roots as a farming community known as Gopher Creek. However, it became a railway tent town in 1882 and grew in population due to the brick and flour industry, as well as with the discovery of oil in the 1950s. Oil was first discovered in 1951, and Virden has since come to be known as the Oil Capital of Manitoba. The origin of the name, Virden, allegedly arose as a misspelling of the German town Verden in the homeland of the 7th Duke of Manchester's wife, Louisa Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire.(Submitted on June 20, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2022
3. Virden Present
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2022
4. Past / Present Marker
Looking east from 6 Avenue South.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2022
5. Past / Present Marker
The marker is on the south side of the Virden Historic Centre (formerly the Canadian Pacific Railroad station).
Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 20, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
