WEST RESERVE
Karen Peters could stand to teach me a lot of stuff. Such as, it’s totally possible and just fine to visit yantzied after work — it’s not so far and there’s plenty of time!
We were on our way back from visiting Schoenwiese, when we decided to find another cemetery to investigate. And that’s how I came to be exploring the Kronsthal cemetery in the middle of a field, in the rain, as the sun set, with Karen Peters.
This cemetery has a cairn that is very clear about the history of the people who homesteaded right here.
It is a large, well cared-for plot of land, with sparse stones at one end, which makes me think that is where the pioneers were buried, and their wooden grave markers disintegrated.
So, what was this place, this Kronsthal of the West Reserve?
The Rempel-Harms Historical Atlas of the West Reserve says it was a pretty big village, about 21 homes. However, in the 1920s most in the village moved to Mexico over the Manitoba schools issue, and the village life was permanently changed.
The Atlas also says that some of the original village buildings remain today. Well, the Atlas was published in 1990, so a lot could’ve happened in 30 years.
Looks like there isn’t much left of the village now… BUT WAIT. I might as well google it. And that’s how I learned just now that Kronsthal still seems to exist, it’s just not really connected too closely to the cemetery. Like, sure the village and the cemetery are on the same section of land, but there must be half a mile distance between the two.
So, Kronsthal is interesting in that it’s kitty corner from Blumenort (not to be confused with Blumenort South, or Blumenort East). I wonder if they shared a cemetery?
I enjoyed wandering the cemetery in the gentle pattering rain.
It’s the best way to visit a cemetery, in my opinion.
I started looking down when I walked, and managed to avoid falling into a badger hole.
I also noticed these hardy flowers, still blooming. In the midst of the pandemic, I took it to be a sign of hope.
Another post about visiting cemeteries with Karen Peters:
https://www.mennotoba.com/the-story-of-maria-braun-return-to-schoenwiese/