CHAPTER FIFTEEN

. Crawford Park

Crawford Park was within the boundaries of the Riding Moun»
tain Timber Reserve and, up until 1921, a portion of the Riding
Mountain Forest Reserve. During that period it was known as
Clear Creek and located on the southwest side of Clear Lake.

After the Second World War, when land was being made
availabie to the returning men for settlement, that portion was .
withdrawn from the forest reserve for that purpose.

Mrs. Tinkler said in a letter that in 1921 five families moved
in, braved the winter, one of them in a tent, and settled there.
More families moved in in 1922 and by 1925 there were enough
children in the district to warrant a school. She was the first bride
in the district, their first home was a 10 x 12 granary with a slab
kitchen and a dirt floor.

A small log store was in operation on the shore of Clear Lake,
owned and operated by Charles Crawford. His assistance to the
newcomers gave reason for the naming of the school in his honor
and later, the post office. While clerking in the store in 1921,
Mrs. Tinkler learned the art of dealing in senneca root and moc-
assms.

A picnic was held in 1926 and attracted Visitors from the Dan-
vers district and Erickson, and it featured pony races, ball games
and track sports.

Great community spirit was evident in the settlement. A com—
munity hall was built in 1933 with volunteer labor, and a curling
. rink in 1936. Homebuilding bees, housewarmings and dances
made for friendly gatherings with the ladies providing the lunch-
es, and music recruited from the district.

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