Friendly Village Charm Awaits
... Within Footsteps of Brandon
The History of the Village of Chater and Surrounding Area
The Manitoba Historic Sites In Chater
The Chater Church
Although not designated as a Manitoba Historic Site, Chater's United Church existed from 1925 to 1971. Its predecessor was a Local Union formed in 1922 between Chater Methodist Church and the Chater Presbyterian Church. The Chater Methodist Church, completed in 1900, then continued to be used as the Chater United Church.
This Church closed in 1971 and the building has now become the Chater community centre.
Sources:
Association for Manitoba Archives
The Chater Pioneers Monument
This Manitoba Historic Site's monument has been erected beside the historic church in Chater commemorating the early settlers to this area who, in 1881, established this community.
Source:
Manitoba Historical Society - Manitoba Historic Sites The Chater Pioneers Monument
The Chater Cemetery
The Chater Cemetery was established in 1914 and has been declared a Manitoba Historic Site.
Source:
Manitoba Historical Society - Manitoba Historic Sites
Chater School No. 181
The Chater School District was formally established in July 1884, in the Rural Municipality of Cornwallis, with a school building erected in the northeast quarter of 27-10-18 west of the Principal Meridian. It closed in January 1959 and remaining students went to Elton Municipal School No. 2360.
To see a photo of the school:
Source:
Manitoba Historical Society - Manitoba Historic Sites
Some Interesting History Of The Area
The Wonder Cow
The Carbon Chronicle – February 1, 1953
This is a story about Wesley Smyth, a farmer who lived just south of Chater. He made the news after his twenty year old milk cow, Sunbeam, gave birth to her sixteenth calf and was still almost producing as much milk as a cow half her age. This was an amazing feat for even the best milk cows who usually outlived their productivity at about fourteen years.
To see a photo and read more about the Wonder Cow:
Source:
University of Alberta - Peel's Prairie Provinces