Historical Winnipeg discussion

[1ajs]

just discoverd this neat photo of the ledge

[ILYR]

Originally Posted by 1ajs

just discoverd this neat photo of the ledge

You have to like the onsite accommodations for the construction workers. Are they "ADCO" tents?

[1ajs]

lol

anyhow picked up the a history of portage ave book today and noticed the old army surplus building had a fire in 75 and the buildings that were there were rebuilt as one ontop of the remains and i also picked u the one with stuff from the tribune that recently came out

[1ajs]

heres a neat find of north main just south of higgins
caption
Galician immigrant women on Main Street, Winnipeg, May 1899. NHQ - Selkirk College Library.

http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_histo...a1891/ch2.html

[rgalston]

Originally Posted by 1ajs

heres a neat find of north main just south of higgins
caption
Galician immigrant women on Main Street, Winnipeg, May 1899. NHQ - Selkirk College Library.

http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_histo...a1891/ch2.html

That's a great photo. The building in between the two babooshkas is what preceded the Dominion Bank, where the Bridgman's are today. To the right of that is the Savoy Hotel, which was given a Modern-on-the-cheap makeover in the early 1950s. That's probably the Sutherland Hotel (still there) off in the distance on the far right of the photo.


The author of Going Downtown, the Portage Avenue book, Russ Gorluck (?), is now working on a book about the North End. It has the word "mosaic" in the title, so I hope it's not too cheesy. I look forward to the pictures.

[1ajs]

u think the building next to bridgeman today is the one standing in that photo?

[rgalston]

Originally Posted by 1ajs

u think the building next to bridgeman today is the one standing in that photo?

No. It's the Bank of Montreal (the "cross building" to the locals) beside Bridgman's, which is fairly new (sometime after WWII).

[1ajs]

Originally Posted by rgalston

No. It's the Bank of Montreal (the "cross building" to the locals) beside Bridgman's, which is fairly new (sometime after WWII).

i always thought it just had its facade riped off of it and coverd over with that fuglyness

[Archiseek]

UK Parliament Hansard Record
mentions of Winnipeg
http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/search/winnipeg

[1ajs]

interestng archiseek txs for sharing

[JayM]

Originally Posted by ILYR

You have to like the onsite accommodations for the construction workers. Are they "ADCO" tents?

Hey i bet that was "top-notch" houses back then.

[rgalston]

Now for some construction news from the corner of Portage and Main...

"GOING AHEAD

Mr. William Drever is putting up a large store on the public road opposite his dwelling-house. It measures 50 feet in length. 30 in breadth, and 22 feet height of wall. The frame-work is of strong solid oak. 7 or 8 inches square; the filling up is done with sawn oak logs 4 inches thick. It is in a prominent position, and will win the admiration of all comers and goers, let us hope that it will also be the means of helping the worthy owner to that independent fortune which his uprightness and enterprise entitled him.

The imposing structure of McKenney & Co. alongside of Mr. Dever's will be ready for use in the course of ten or twelve days. Its dimensions we mentioned in a former notice, but may repeat them here--length, 80 feet; breadth, 24; height of wall 22.

We chronicle with pleasure the erection of such large buildings, for they add to the appearance and value of this locality, and afford a pleasing token of the progressive times on which we are entering."

-The Nor'Wester, October 22, 1862

[rgalston]

"OUR FUTURE CAPITAL.

The question has been repeatedly put--Where will our first town rise? and as often answered--About Upper Fort Garry. Both question and answer are suggestive. This prospective town-site may be a fiction or a reality: at any rate, most people accept it in the meantime as the most probable. Of course localism is rampant in a case of this kind and, without the side of philosophy, clearly illustrates the difference between hope and expectation.

There is no doubt that the Fort is the most likely spot, not only because there is already the nucleus of a town there, but because two rivers meet there and roads from all parts converge to taht point as to a common centre. We see the commencement even already. Mr. McDermot last summer erected a large building near the public road which was rented months before it was ready for use. McKenney & Co. have a towering warehouse on the King's highway--which name will be easily changed into King Street--and Mr. Drever has also a towering edifice rising. It is apparently on the prairie but is in reality at the corner of half a dozen streets--if we can imagine such a thing. These buildings teach a moral. We are happy to see them there. They relieve the dullness and monotony of a naked landscape and foreshadow progress. We notice, moreover, that the enterprising firm of McKenney & Co., are erecting another building on "King Street," to serve as a bakery. And we are informed that two buildings are soon to rise alongside--one belonging to Mr. McDermot and another to Mr. George Emmering. "The more the merrier." Speaking of Mr. Emmering, we are reminded that last week we were shown a receipt signed by him and dated "March 22, Bannatyne Street." This is very refreshing. The appropriateness will be readily admitted by all who know the locality. Why do not the Hudson's Bay Company lay off in town-lots the fine block between Fort Garry and Mr. Drever's? Rather soon perhaps for paying well, but that will no doubt be parcelled into lots before long. They must not forget what Mr. Donald Gunn (vide "Peguis Vindicated") once said recently regarding their right to that land. He said it was and is really an Indian reserve, and should be so accounted--Captain Cary's ploughing and the Company's charter to the contrary notwithstanding. We don't know whether this philanthropic view will weigh with us whenever the lots are in the market--fear the temptation will be too great."

-The Nor'Wester - April 13, 1863

[Andy6]

Here's a scan of a magic lantern slide that I recently bought, showing Portage Avenue west from Main Street, mid to late 1920s:



At the largest size, you can really get lost in what once was.

[1ajs]

funy how the curry building has stood there all these years

[1ajs]

neat find that on ebay atm... http://cgi.ebay.ca/VINTAGE-POSTCARD-CANADA-BIRDS-EYE-VIEW-WINNIPEG-1907_W0QQitemZ170276564029QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item170276564029&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1215|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318



realy love this one though so i bought it


1890's view



1926

[flatlander]

That magic lantern slide has a really nice quality to it. I'm not familiar with that technology.

Love the rowhouses in your snapshots Adrian!

[1ajs]

indeed they are o well maybe we could get some new rowhouses built on that surface lot?

also notice the one building is being built

[rgalston]

Originally Posted by Andy6

Here's a scan of a magic lantern slide that I recently bought, showing Portage Avenue west from Main Street, mid to late 1920s:



At the largest size, you can really get lost in what once was.

Amazing. One can almost hear the streetcar's bell and engine looking at this. And I can almost see my great-grandfather walking into the Nanton Building where he worked as a clerk in the 20s.

[flatlander]

Originally Posted by 1ajs

indeed they are o well maybe we could get some new rowhouses built on that surface lot?

also notice the one building is being built

Help me out with that top shot - i need orientation.

Which one being built? The Leg?