![\"winnipeg-main-street-1870\"](\"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/winnipeg-main-street-1870.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nPhoto: Library and Archives Canada<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Among Winnipeg\u2019s busiest thoroughfares today, Main Street wasn\u2019t what you\u2019d call congested in 1870.<\/p>\n Photo: Library and Archives Canada<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Photo: Winnipeg Archives<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Photo: Winnipeg Archives<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n From 1874 to 1881, the Manitoba government estimates 7,000 Mennonites travelled to the province<\/a> from southern Russia. The first of these newcomers arrived in the nascent city in October 1874, as seen above.<\/p>\n Photo: Winnipeg Archives<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n In January of 1874, the newly formed city held elections for municipal government as it continued to develop.<\/p>\n Photo: Wikipedia<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Established in 1822, this National Historic Site of Canada started out as a trading post operated by the Hudson\u2019s Bay Company. The fort\u2019s main gate is all that remains of it today.<\/p>\n Photo: Winnipeg Archives<\/a><\/p>\n 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<\/a>. Up until then, volunteers fought flames.<\/p>\n Photo: Winnipeg Archives<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Photo: Library and Archives Canada<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Photo: Government of Manitoba<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n A view from Main Street, wide, muddy and lined with literal boardwalks, looking south from Graham Avenue.<\/p>\nPortage and Main, 1872<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nSaint Boniface, 1872<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nMennonites arrival, 1874<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nMain Street, 1874<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nFort Garry, 1874<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nWinnipeg Fire Brigade, July 1, 1875<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nPoint Douglas, August 1875<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/em><\/p>\nMain Street, 1879<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nMain Street and Graham Avenue, 1880<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nMain Street, 1881<\/h2>\n