ARCH 2: North Lauder Locale
The North Lauder locale has a long archaeological and geological history that is important for understanding the forces that shaped the region. Archaeological research in the locale shows that the area has been occupied by humans for at least the past 6,500 years. Environmental forces provided an area of diverse resources that attracted early peoples.
Environment of the Lauder Sandhills
The North Lauder locale is part of the greater Lauder Sandhills area. The glaciers that covered this region began to recede approximately 11,000 years ago leaving a large lake known as glacial Lake Hind. The Souris River, the Lauder Sandhills and the Oak Lake Aquifer are remnants of the environmental and geological forces that shaped the region.
The Lauder Sandhills region is characterized by a landscape of sand sheets and stabilized sand dunes interspersed with a variety of wetlands. This complex topographic and hydrological situation favoured the development of an island mosaic of mixed forest, wetland and meadow, surrounded by mixed grass prairie. The result was a large, isolated ecotone which provided a rich variety of subsistence resources for hunter-gatherers.
Research in the Lauder Sandhills
Archaeologists from Brandon University have been conducting research in the Lauder Sandhills since 1991. Research in the North Lauder locale has focused on the Atkinson site, a 6,500 year old hunter-gatherer site and Flintstone Hill.
The Atkinson site
The Atkinson site is one of the oldest excavated sites in Manitoba and has been Radiocarbon dated to 6,500 years before present. The Atkinson site is located on the bank of the Souris River and was discovered when a hearth (fire pit) was seen eroding out of the bank. Based on the date of the site and the kind of lithics (stone tools) present it is considered a Gowen occupation. The Atkinson site is evidence that bison hunters were active on the northern plains at a very early date. Similar sites have also been found on the High Plains in the U.S. and are referred to as the Mummy Cave Complex.
The Atkinson Site is of great importance as it is the first undisturbed site of this type to be excavated in Manitoba and extends the range of these sites south and east from the type-sites in central Saskatchewan.
Flintstone Hill
The geomorphology of the glacial Lake Hind Basin over the past 11,000 years is known primarily through the study of a cut bank along the Souris River. Flint Stone Hill contains the most complete stratigraphic record for the post-glacial period on the northern plains. The site has been extensively studied by geoarchaeologists, geologists and paleoenvironmentalists over many years and their findings have contributed to our understanding of the region.
The North Lauder locale Borden designations of Atkinson site DiMe-27 and Flintstone Hill site DiMe-26.
Borden System
Archaeological sites in Canada are identified by the Borden system, which is a uniform site designation system. The country is divided into grids based on latitude and longitude in blocks of 10 x 20 minutes. The first 4 letters indicate the block and the following numbers indicate the actual site. For example the area of the Lauder Sandhills in southwestern Manitoba is identified by the letters DM and the North Lauder locale within that area is DiMe. The Atkinson site is DiMe-27 and the Flintstone Hill site DiMe-26. As new sites are discovered they will be numbered sequentially.
Scope and Content
The Series has been divided into two sub-series, including (1) Atkinson site DiMe-27 and Flintstone Hill site DiMe-26.
This bridge was condemned in the late 1930s but cyclists continued to use it until it was torn down (approximately 1940)
Until the early 1920s the Canadian Pacific Railway maintained a well and pumping station near the southeast corner of this bridge, which pumped water through a pipeline to a locomotive watering tank at Kemnay.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Assiniboine River Bridge North of Kemnay
Notes
[Mr. Stuckey put a negative and print in the same envelope. We have separated them, numbering the negative OB5(1) and the print OB5(1a).]
This bridge was condemned in the late 1930s but cyclists continued to use it until it was torn down (approximately 1940)
Until the early 1920s the Canadian Pacific Railway maintained a well and pumping station near the southeast corner of this bridge, which pumped water through a pipeline to a locomotive watering tank at Kemnay.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Assiniboine River Bridge North of Kemnay
Notes
[Mr. Stuckey put a negative and print in the same envelope. We have separated them, numbering the negative OB5(1) and the print OB5(1a).]
Record of excavation unit 1 north wall profile at the Atkinson site 2003.
Scope and Content
Site excavation records of excavation units may include: level summaries, floor plans, feature sheets, wall profiles, unit summaries and any other additional information relating to the unit.
Berncie Caroline East (nee McDonald) was born on August 30, 1914 at Brookdale, MB in the RM of North Cypress. She attended Brookdale school, Brandon Collegiate Institute (BCI) and the Winnipeg Normal School. Her BA was achieved by corresondence and night classes from the University of Manitoba in 1963. As a teacher, Bernice taught at Tremaine, Brookdale, Minnedosa and Elton. Bernice married Laurence Overton East (1911-2003) on July 4, 1942. They did not have any children. The couple farmed in the Hunterville district until Laurie retired in 1976. They moved to Brandon in 1992. Bernice loved the oudoors and gardening, as well as square dancing and music. For a number of years, Bernice and Laurie kept a Bluebird line. The couple also enjoyed travel. Bernice was also active and supportive in community affairs, spending time as a Director on the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame Board. Bernice East died on April 13, 2006 in Brandon, MB. She is buried at Rapid City Cemetery.
Custodial History
As part of the Westman Oral History Collection, this collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. The original tapes from the Westman Oral History project were deposited in the Brandon Public Library. Copies of these originals were made by Margaret Pollex of the Brandon University Language Lab at the request of Eileen McFadden, University Archivist in the early 1990s. These copies compose the collection held in the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item is an audiocassette tape containing an interview with Bernice East about aspects of education in Odanah Municipality, 1880-1981. Interviewer is Mae Johnson.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and East's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Related Material
OH044 Lawrie O. East
Audio Tracks
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View is southwest from the north side of Princess Avenue. Photograph shows the north driveway entrance on campus. The original Music Building, the A.E. McKenzie Building, Clark Hall and part of the Brandon College Building are visible.