 In 1996, Les Magnusson was elected mayor of Steinbach, the first non-ethnic Mennonite to hold that position, and Steinbach was incorporated as a city on 10 October 1997.Magnusson was a vocal opponent of attempts in Steinbach to allow liquor sales.In 2000, the windmill at the Mennonite Heritage Village, a recognized symbol of the city, was destroyed by arsonists.