Carberry is a small town in the southern plains of Manitoba, about 170 km (106 miles) west of Winnipeg and 50 km (31 miles) east of Brandon. The area around Carberry was, for centuries, the land of the bison and indigenous peoples. In the middle of the 18th century, French fur traders from Montreal established Pine Fort, where the town stands today, and did friendly trade with indigenous peoples such as Sioux, Cree, and Assinibone. These tribal nations followed herds of bison for centuries and had annual camps in the area until 1870, when a systematic settlement began on the plains west of Winnipeg. Farmers took advantage of the fertile soil, engaged in extensive potato and grain cultivation, but there was also extensive livestock farming. The village name was given by James J. Hill, an official of the CPR Railway Company, when he traveled around the district with Lord Elphinstone from Carberry Tower in Scotland, who was then the managing director of the railway company. In 1881 a town post office was opened, and town rights were granted in 1882. Before the railroad reached Glenboro, Icelandic settlers in the Argyle settlements south and west of Glenboro had to transport their produce, such as grain, calves and heifers, to markets in Carberry or Brandon. When the railroad reached Glenboro, such transportation ceased. Few Icelanders settled in Carberry, but Icelandic young people found employment there in trade and services.
Carberry Main Street Photo Prairie Towns