Between Friends Collection

Located three miles north of the 49th parallel, the town of Snowflake was given its name by the first settlers. As the story goes, Sam Okes and James Blake arrived in October and camped at a creek close to the town site. In the morning, when they awoke everything was covered by snow and large snowflakes were falling. They named the creek Snowflake and it is from this, that the town took its name. (This story was reported to me verbally, by Doroth Gowren while I was doing research). It has since been corroborated in the written history.

The town proper sprung up in the late 1800's. The area came to widespread notice in about 1876 when the first shipment of grain arrived in Ontario. Far less grain than was requested was actually delivered, but it was enough to extend interest from the east to this area.

By 1880, mail bound for Snowflake was delivered to the Pembina Crossing Post Office.

In 1881 the Snowflake News reported that the Pembina Bridge had been completed. This removed the need for a ferry at the Pembina River crossing and made travel easier.

The first school was erected in 1882. T.C, Wilson was the first teacher. Because of the proximity of the town to the US Border, students likely traveled from the US. Of course, in 1882, the border was very easy to cross.

I was unable to get an exact date of construction for this elevator, but somewhere around 1928 seems to be about right. (I am sure someone out there will have the correct date, and I will update at that time) This is the Federal Elevator. The offices were moved here from Mowbray when the track between the two towns was closed in the mid 30's.

As of 1968, this elevator was still in operation.