This kiosk at Sandy Lake in the Municipality of Harrison Park commemorates William C. “Bill” Symonds (1896-1989) who, after serving in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War, became a telegraph operator with the Canadian National Railway. In 1929, he was assigned to Sandy Lake where he was station agent until retirement in 1957. He was active in the community, resulting in the establishment of the local skating rink and curling rink. In retirement, he operated a greenhouse. His son, Earl Symonds, was a railway station agent by the age of 18 and served with the CNR for nearly 40 years, retiring in 1989.
The kiosk lists the railway stations along the CNR line between Neepawa in the east and Russell on the west: Rossburn Junction, Springhill, Orrville, Bethany, Clanwilliam, Crocus, Erickson, Rackham, Sandy Lake, Elphinstone, Glenforsa, Menzie, Oakburn, Vista, Rossburn, Birdtail, Angusville, and Silverton, with details about the stations at each point. A segment of the Trans-Canada Trail passes by the kiosk.
Symonds Rails to Trails Kiosk (July 2012)
Source: Gordon GoldsboroughSite Coordinates (lat/long): N50.52812, W100.17661
denoted by symbol on the map above
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 30 January 2021
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