A book about the history of Rosenfeld is in the works.

Art Wiebe, who lives in Rosenfeld, has been collecting information on the town since 1974. He is a community volunteer and also sees himself as a history-seeker.

The inspiration for the book began when Wiebe found a set of old black and white photos of the town, which he found in his desk drawer during his first year of teaching in 1974.

Wiebe's interest was sparked by the photos as he wondered what had happened to those buildings and businesses, which were around during the 1960's but disappeared by 1974.

"The question that came to mind was where did these businesses go, why did they leave, what happened, and that's when the collection started," said Wiebe.

The book is about Rosenfeld's history from 1875-1975, with pictures dated as far back as 1900. It will also incorporate articles from various newspapers and information about the old school districts in and around Rosenfeld, prior to amalgamation. These were known as Acheson, Hoffnungsthal, New Kennedy, Reichenbach, Weidenfeld, Roseville, and Amsterdam.  

When it comes to collecting information, Wiebe said he has a number of sources.

For example, Wiebe was able to interview a 96-year-old resident who emigrated from Russia to Rosenfeld due to the famine in the late 1920's. She arrived in Rosenfeld in April of 1930.

"Individuals have been collecting the Rosenfeld history over the years and some of them were published in local papers," he said.

The book will also include changes that happened over time, such as the creation of a dam, a railway junction, grain elevators, and other important buildings that followed such as a lumber store, a bank, and a car dealership.

Wiebe said the book will also delve into some questions that residents have about the town.

"Some of the questions that could be answered in our history book include, why did the original village of Rosenfeld disappear... what important trail once ran across the fields near Rosenfeld, what date was regular passenger service established through Rosenfeld, was a business in Rosenfeld ever accused of minting its own currency, what other names besides our current name was Rosenfeld referred to in various newspapers, what is the history surrounding the Rosenfeld unusual street names, what was the great sidewalk issue?"

Wiebe added that a lot of information on the town's history can also be found on the Rosenfeldhistory Westreserve facebook page.

People with information or connection to Rosenfeld's history are encouraged to participate in the book. A brochure on how to get involved can be picked up at the Altona library, the Rhineland Municipal Office, Rosenfeld's Martel's Garage, or the Rosenfeld Good Neighbour Center.

Wiebe is hoping for the book to be available in the fall of 2018, and hopes to sell as many books as possible.

He notes the book wouldn't be possible without the team effort of Glenn Friesen who crafted the team this winter, Lois Nickel Braun who is the professional writer serving as editor, organizer and researcher, Elizabeth Falk typist and researcher, and treasurer Carol Dyck Schroeder.