In April 1910, the Victoria Beach Investment Company was founded by C.W.N. Kennedy, having a president and 4 directors. The aim of the Company was to "lay out, improve, sell and dispose of its lands to be used primarily as a summer resort." Any person desirous of running a business had to get the approval of the VB Company.
In 1913, the assets of the Victoria Beach Investment Company were sold to the Victoria Beach Company, who upheld the original goals and continued to acquire land in the area. By 1915, the company had gained control of the land that now comprises the municipality. In the following years, the company sold numerous lots, and many campers had begun to construct cottages.[1]
Incorporation
On 6 August 1919, after negotiations with the province, the Municipality of Victoria Beach was incorporated.[1]
Because Victoria Beach was basically an island with only a narrow spit joining it to the mainland, there was no road access. However, in 1916, the railway was to arrive at Victoria Beach making it easier to bring in supplies to build cottages. After the war it was a constant desire of cottagers to have a road built to join Albert Beach to the rest of Victoria Beach and 1952 saw the completion of this road. By 1962, most people were arriving by car to their cabins and the railway was no longer required.[1]
In 1921 the Victoria Beach Community Club was organized and in 1925 the Clubhouse was built which exists to this day. The Clubhouse was home to weekend dances and social events.
A golf course was built in 1923 and a tennis court in 1924. Both amenities exist to this day, with the tennis court now being close to the General Store. Einfelds Bakery operated since the 1930s, but was replaced by the Village Green Bakery in 2022.[5]
On 15 June 1926, the Victoria Beach News began publishing. Today, it is run under the name of the Victoria Beach Herald, publishing only in the summer months.
Because the area was mainly a summer resort, those who lived here full-time had to be hardy outdoors people who relied on industries such as commercial fishing, trucking and the lumber industry in the off season. There were many mink ranches in Victoria Beach and Victoria Beach mink became unique and popular; however, with the advent of man-made materials which were lighter and the wearing of animal skins becoming distasteful, the last mink ranch pelted out in March 2003, marking the end of an era.
1935 saw both the Royal Canadian Legion and the Alex Anderson Memorial Community Club established in the community.
The Community Club is now a skating rink, curling club and social hall. Other amenities of the area include a marina, swimming docks for swimming lessons, a sailing club, Moonlight Inn Restaurant, a library, children's playground and nice beaches sporting very fine and soft white sand. Baseball was very popular and Victoria Beach teams were hugely successful in tournaments throughout the summer.
During the 1930s and 1940s, antisemitism was common in Victoria Beach. Members of the Anglo establishment often refused to sell or rent to Jews. An advertisement in the Victoria Beach Herald euphemistically referring to Jews as "those unwanted people", and warned that Victoria Beach could "degenerate to a Coney Island" if Jews were allowed to rent and buy properties.[6]
1954 saw Manitoba Hydro service provided to the permanent residents and in 1956 hydro was extended for use by the cottage community.