Anola, Manitoba
Encyclopedia
Anola, Manitoba, Canada
, is a small town located 24 km east of Winnipeg
and 40 km north of Steinbach
in the Rural Municipality of Springfield
. Approximately 200 people live within its limits, but many people in surrounding areas consider themselves to be part of Anola.
Ted Stone states in his book The Story behind Manitoba Names: "Locals sometimes ascribe the name to the rise in elevation there. The area is on a slight but perceptible, ridge. According to this theory it's on "a knoll," which gave rise to the name Anola. Others have suggested that Anola is named after the wife of a railway official. This theory has some credence since Anola comes at the end of a series of rail points (Elma, Hazel, Vivian) using women's first names. It's likely that the same official named at least two of these towns after one or more daughters. Since all four towns received their names at about the same time, Elma, Hazel, Vivian and Anola may have been sisters. Or perhaps the local legend is correct and Anola was the mother of the other three."
Another possibility is that early homesteaders in the area were of Finnish descent and so the name chosen would reflect that, as there are at least seven towns in southern Finland whose names end with ola: Askola, Hollola, Karkola, Nastola, Kouvola, Hartola and Heinola.
, many commuters often stop at Settler's Inn, which used to be a Shell Station/Seasonal Burger Joint but now sells Esso gasoline. Lucky Dollar Foods sell Chester Fried Chicken. Anola Motor Hotel is located at the main junction of Hwys #12 and #15 with a bar, beer sales and restaurant. Most Anolians, as they are sometimes called, do not live and work in the town. Since it is so close to Winnipeg and Steinbach, many commute for work. This undoubtedly contributes to the overwhelming gasoline sales to Anola's loyal customers. Anola's traffic increases on Friday and Sunday night due to commuters that head to and from cottage country in Whiteshell Provincial Park as well as many locations in the Ontario region.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, is a small town located 24 km east of Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
and 40 km north of Steinbach
Steinbach, Manitoba
Steinbach is a city of approx. 13,500 people in the southeast corner of the province of Manitoba, Canada, a short distance from the capital Winnipeg. Steinbach is the largest community in the Eastman region of Manitoba. The city is located in the R.M. of Hanover and bordered to the east by the R.M...
in the Rural Municipality of Springfield
Springfield, Manitoba
Springfield is Manitoba's oldest and largest rural municipality. Established in 1873, Springfield stretches from urban industrial development on the eastern boundary of the City of Winnipeg, through urban, rural residential, agricultural and natural landscapes, to the Agassiz Provincial Forest on...
. Approximately 200 people live within its limits, but many people in surrounding areas consider themselves to be part of Anola.
History
In 1907, when the Grand Trunk and Pacific railway expressed an interest in the district, the land was sold, and the village of "Free Port" was born. The name changed in 1912. According to the book Place Names of Manitoba, published for the Geographic Board of Canada in 1933 by the Department of the Interior, the name Anola is an "invented name, formerly known as Richland Post Office". A 1905 letter from M. Holloway, who ran the Richland post office which served the area, may have prompted this conclusion. In his correspondence to the Geographic Board of Canada, it was indicated that residents were unaware of why it was so named except "as a more convenient means of referring to it than Township 10-7E". Considering the date of his letter, it seems that people in the area were calling it "Anola" even before it was officially changed; at least as far as mail delivery was concerned.Ted Stone states in his book The Story behind Manitoba Names: "Locals sometimes ascribe the name to the rise in elevation there. The area is on a slight but perceptible, ridge. According to this theory it's on "a knoll," which gave rise to the name Anola. Others have suggested that Anola is named after the wife of a railway official. This theory has some credence since Anola comes at the end of a series of rail points (Elma, Hazel, Vivian) using women's first names. It's likely that the same official named at least two of these towns after one or more daughters. Since all four towns received their names at about the same time, Elma, Hazel, Vivian and Anola may have been sisters. Or perhaps the local legend is correct and Anola was the mother of the other three."
Another possibility is that early homesteaders in the area were of Finnish descent and so the name chosen would reflect that, as there are at least seven towns in southern Finland whose names end with ola: Askola, Hollola, Karkola, Nastola, Kouvola, Hartola and Heinola.
Economy
Anola has many well established businesses, including the Anola Building Centre; an exceptional hardware and lumber store. While the town boasts an expanded Petro CanadaPetro-Canada
Petro-Canada was a crown corporation of Canada in the field of oil and natural gas. It was headquartered in the Petro-Canada Centre in Calgary, Alberta. In August, 2009, Petro-Canada merged with Suncor Energy, a deal in which Suncor investors received approximately 60 per cent ownership of the...
, many commuters often stop at Settler's Inn, which used to be a Shell Station/Seasonal Burger Joint but now sells Esso gasoline. Lucky Dollar Foods sell Chester Fried Chicken. Anola Motor Hotel is located at the main junction of Hwys #12 and #15 with a bar, beer sales and restaurant. Most Anolians, as they are sometimes called, do not live and work in the town. Since it is so close to Winnipeg and Steinbach, many commute for work. This undoubtedly contributes to the overwhelming gasoline sales to Anola's loyal customers. Anola's traffic increases on Friday and Sunday night due to commuters that head to and from cottage country in Whiteshell Provincial Park as well as many locations in the Ontario region.
Social life
While there is the local pub, many believe that the real social life takes place at the Over 50 Club. The establishment hosts many Bingo Nights and is also the site of large family gatherings. Anola celebrates it anniversary in early June with games, petting farm and games for the young, finishing off with live music, beer gardens and fireworks. With August comes Anola Community Club's anniversary. The weekend starts with a baseball tournament, fun and games for all ages and finishes on Friday and Saturday nights with a live band and beer garden.Education
Anola has a K-8 school that is highly regarded for producing some of the top achievers in the municipality, even with its smaller size. However, it is this small size that allows it to cater to each student's needs and helps to create the best community members that it possibly can. Currently, Anola School has 253 students enrolled with a dynamic teaching and support staff who ensure quality learning opportunities. It also offers a wide array of programming including French, band, music, choir, grade 6-8 life options, resource, counselling, inter/intra-school athletics, and school-wide talent development program.Famous names
- Corey KoskieCorey KoskieCordel Leonard "Corey" Koskie is a former Major League Baseball third baseman. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed.-Baseball career:...
, a Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player. - Al Simmons (musician)Al Simmons (musician)Al Simmons is a Canadian children's performer from Winnipeg, Manitoba. He began performing in the 1970s and later made guest appearances on Fred Penner's television show as well as Sesame Street. He tours regularly across Canada and the United States...
, children's performer/musician - Cecil Epp (racer), PinksPinksPinks is a franchise series of television programs on Speed Channel based on illegal street racing, held at legal closed drag strips with a theme around drag racing. The original aired from 2005 to 2008, with the spinoff Pinks: All Out following in 2006...
participant