From 1870 to 1876, what is today known as Winnipeg, Manitoba, was actually the capital of the Northwest Territories, which extended much farther to the south than today.
Clearly, much has changed. The urban centre incorporated as a city in 1873, and by 1891, with a population of around 25,000, it was the biggest municipality in the Prairies. It continued to see booming population growth for the following several decades.
Here are 11 photos that show what life was like during Winnipeg’s formative years in the late 1800s.
Main Street, 1870
Photo: Library and Archives Canada
Among Winnipeg’s busiest thoroughfares today, Main Street wasn’t what you’d call congested in 1870.
Portage and Main, 1872
Photo: Library and Archives Canada
In 1862, recent arrival Henry McKenney built the first store at the future site of Portage and Main, according to the Manitoba Historical Society. Ten years later, he was not alone.
Saint Boniface, 1872
Photo: Winnipeg Archives
Saint Boniface may have been largely agricultural in the 1800s, but it nevertheless became home to the first hospital in Western Canada, St. Boniface Hospital.
Mennonites arrival, 1874
Photo: Winnipeg Archives
From 1874 to 1881, the Manitoba government estimates 7,000 Mennonites travelled to the province from southern Russia. The first of these newcomers arrived in the nascent city in October 1874, as seen above.
Main Street, 1874
Photo: Winnipeg Archives
In January of 1874, the newly formed city held elections for municipal government as it continued to develop.
Fort Garry, 1874
Photo: Wikipedia
Established in 1822, this National Historic Site of Canada started out as a trading post operated by the Hudson’s Bay Company. The fort’s main gate is all that remains of it today.
Winnipeg Fire Brigade, July 1, 1875
Photo: Winnipeg Archives
Early in 1875, Winnipeg got its first fire hall. It would take seven more years for the city to get a professional fire department, though, according to The Winnipeg Time Machine. Up until then, volunteers fought flames.
Point Douglas, August 1875
Photo: Winnipeg Archives
Thomas Douglas, the late Earl of Selkirk, established the Red River Colony in the early 19th century, and Point Douglas is named after this founding father.
Main Street, 1879
Photo: Library and Archives Canada
Thomas Douglas, the late Earl of Selkirk, established the Red River Colony in the early 19th century, and Point Douglas is named after this founding father.
Main Street and Graham Avenue, 1880
Photo: Government of Manitoba
A view from Main Street, wide, muddy and lined with literal boardwalks, looking south from Graham Avenue.
Main Street, 1881
Photo: Government of Manitoba
Not far from Winnipeg’s City Hall, the Hossin House is visible just to the left. Hotels and boarding houses like it helped support the influx of immigration at the time, spurred by a direct railway link to eastern Canada that was established in 1881.
