A picnic was arranged and held at the home of Daniel
Switzer, Sr., in 1879. A Methodist minister, on his way to Portage la
Prairie, had camped nearby and was invited to share in the festivities.
It became known that he could perform a wedding ceremony without the
formality of a license. William Switzer and Anne Meredith took that
opportunity to become united in marriage. It was a happy ending for the
first social gathering on the Plain.
That there would be a gathering at the Switzer home would be no
surprise to people at the time. The Switzer family were prominent
pioneers in the Petrel District. The first church services were in the
Daniel Switzer home.
Thomas Switzer, married Emily Harper in 1891. He ran an Implement &
Livery business in Carberry and was a Councillor in 1909.
We won’t presume to tell the whole Switzer story here but these
snippets from the local history will give one the idea:
“This level land appealed to the pioneers, who were looking for
homesteads. In 1878, claims were filed by Daniel Switzer and sons, “
“Albert Switzer took the SW 14-11-15 as his homestead and the NW 14 –
11- 15 as a pre-emption. He sold the SW quarter to Frederick Sydall and
the NW quarter to his father, Daniel Switzer. Daniel left this quarter
section to his son, Thomas.
“One of the best athletes from Petrel was George Switzer. An issue of
the 1901 paper mentions that George had a good day at Portage on May
24, winning a suit of clothes and $15.00. “
“Skating and hockey were enjoyed during winters. A large lake south of
the Switzer home, was used for many years. On dark nights the grass and
reeds were set on fire on the downwind side to provide light. In later
years an open air rink was made at the Petrel Store. The local boys
were able to give a good account of themselves in the many games with
neighboring communities. “
“15-10-13 was a C.P.R. land grant and is pasture land. The old
settlement trail known locally as the "Switzer Road" winds across it. “
“If some issues of this period seem contemporary, the permission
granted to Thomas Switzer in 1909 to build a lean-to on his barn
situated on Main Street reminds us that times have changed.
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