CPR’s line through Stonewall was the earliest-built western railway line, west of the Red River. In August 1879, a man named John Ryan got a contract to build 100 miles (160 km) of railway west of the Red River. He hired Donald Mann as superintendent of construction. Ryan and Mann completed the line from Winnipeg northwest to Victoria Junction – three miles east of Stonewall on June 30, 1880. The construction continued west through Stonewall, Hanlan, Meadow Lea and then southwest towards Portage La Prairie through the summer of 1880. Victoria Junction was supposed to be the connecting point with the proposed original main line through Selkirk. Heavy lobbying from Winnipeg resulted in the transcontinental line going through Winnipeg instead of Selkirk. The track along the line west of Stonewall was torn up and rebuilt through Rosser to better align with the new transcontinental CPR line. The line was rebuilt northwest out of Stonewall heading towards Balmoral and Teulon, causing 'a bend in the line'. With declining usage, the tracks were removed in the 2000's, and replaced by a walking trail though the town.
The Stonewall School District was established formally in November 1880 and the first schoolhouse, a building measuring 24 by 36 feet and housing 88 students, sat on Fourth Street East, north of Second Avenue. As the demand for education grew, classes were held in the Rockwood Registry office at 237 Second Avenue North and, later, in the Orange Hall. Still later, overflow students were moved to the Masonic Hall on First Street East.
In 1891, a four-classroom brick veneer building was built on Second Avenue North near Main St. By 1905, it was facing severe overcrowding so a second four-classroom building, made of local stone, was built near the first school in 1907. It opened officially on 28 January 1908. The original brick building was used until it closed in 1955 and was demolished in 1957. It was replaced by a new brick school for grades 1 to 8. It was named R. W. Bobby Bend School for educator and politician Robert William "Bobby" Bend An addition to the building was made in 1983.
Students in grades 9 to 12 were taught in the stone school until 1961 when they moved to the newly constructed Stonewall Collegiate near where this cache is located. The stone building was demolished in June 1980.
Thanks to the Manitoba Historical Society for much of this information.
Please note that parking restrictions exist near this cache during school hours. A writing stick will be required.