Archives of Manitoba

1883-2015

The Rural Municipality of Hamiota was responsible for the levying of municipal taxes and the collection of school and municipal taxes. Municipal governments use this revenue to administer the municipal affairs of the municipality, including administration of public schools, provision of public health care and management of public works projects such as road maintenance.

The first settlers came to the Hamiota area in 1878 and a post office was established on the Hamilton farm in 1879. The area was incorporated as a rural municipality (RM) in 1883 and called Oak River. In 1886, the name was changed to Hamiota, the name being derived from the Hamilton Post Office, but the residents not wanting it to be confused with Hamilton, Ontario. The RM of Hamiota had a rich agricultural economic base. In the early days, grain had to be transported by ox cart to grist mills and markets as far away as Brandon. As the railway network expanded, the market got closer to Hamiota, until a rail line was built in the RM in 1889, and finally began operating in 1891. Once the railway was in operation, wheat and other grains could be exported, and building supplies for the establishment of business could be imported with greater ease. Among these businesses was a grist mill, built in 1895.

In accordance with The Municipal Amalgamations Act (2013), the Rural Municipality of Hamiota and the Town of Hamiota amalgamated on 1 January 2015 to form Hamiota Municipality.

The Municipal Act (1883)