Altona is a town in southern Manitoba, Canada, about 100 km south-west of Winnipeg and 158 km north of Grand Forks, North Dakota. The population at the 2021 Census was 4,390 residents. Old Altona was founded in 1880 by Plautdietsch-speaking Mennonites from the Russian Empire. It is surrounded by the Municipality of Rhineland. Much of the surrounding area is devoted to farming and agriculture-based business.

History

1800s

Plautdietsch-speaking Mennonites from Russia began settling in Manitoba from 1874 through 1880 after signing a Privilegium with the Canadian government. A southern spur of the Canadian Pacific Railway went through the Altona village area in 1882. A separate town-site, also named Altona, had its start in the 1895 when the Canadian Pacific Railroad was extended to that point, with the village area later known as Old Altona. Its population at that time was 1065 residents. In 1956, population growth to 1698 residents prompted the village council to apply to the provincial government to change the status to town. This change became official on 24 October 1956.

On November 17, 1990, Altona was the site of the Altona murder, which garnered widespread media attention.

Demographics

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Altona had a population of 4,390 living in 1,700 of its 1,760 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of 4,212. With a land area of , it had a population density of in 2021.

Economy

Altona was the site of the Rhineland Consumers Co-operative (founded 1931

Bunge Limited now operates the oil-seed crushing plant in Altona, after buying the assets from Canamera Foods.

Altona is also home to Friesens Corporation, which started off as a small confectionery store opened by David W. Friesen in 1907 It ceased operation mid 2020. The town is now served by the Altona Rhineland Voice, which commenced operation in March 2022.

The town is served by the AM radio station CFAM; it is owned by Golden West Broadcasting, whose CEO Elmer Hildebrand is an Altona native. The company's head office is also located in the town.

Geography

Climate

Notable people

  • Lois Braun, writer
  • Peter Engbrecht, soldier
  • Curwin Friesen, businessman
  • Johann Funk, bishop
  • Paul Hiebert, writer
  • Elmer Hildebrand, broadcaster
  • Harold Neufeld, politician
  • Grace Nickel, artist
  • Jack Penner, politician
  • A. James Reimer, theologian
  • Vic Schroeder, politician
  • Jake Siemens, politician
  • Armin Wiebe, writer
  • Cornelius Wiebe, physician and politician
  • Mackenzie Zacharias and Emily Zacharias, 2020 World Junior Curling Champions

References

Further reading

  • Town of Altona