Assiniboine Park Bridge: When the Municipality of St. James was formed in 1921, Assiniboine Park was accessed from the north by a temporary wooden bridge that was built and removed every year. Before the temporary bridge was installed in the spring, and after it was removed in the fall, John Wilson ferried park visitors across the river in a row boat for a price of 10 cents. Prior to 1912, a ferry was required to enter the Park from St. James. The current footbridge was opened in 1932.Bruce Park 1967 and 2021: Bruce Park is named after Peter Bruce (1836-1928) who lived on this plot of land. The land was donated to the city by his family in 1933, with the condition that it remained a public green space.Deer Lodge CentreDeer Lodge Centre: The name “Deer Lodge” has been shared by many buildings and businesses over the last century. First it was the name of the impressive home of HBC trader and politician, James McKay (1828-1879). After the house was destroyed in a fire, it was rebuilt as the Deer Lodge Hotel (second picture; ca. 1910). In 1916 the hotel became IODE (Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire) Mackenzie Home, a military convalescent home. Today, Deer Lodge Centre sits on this same site.Deer Lodge CentreDeer Lodge Shopping Centre 1956 and 2021: Pictured is the “Deer Lodge shopping district.” Deer Lodge Centre can be seen in the background of both photos.Ferry Road 1956 and 2021: Pictured: Portage Ave., northwest from Ferry Rd. In 1956, Safeway, the post office, the St. James Leader building, and Perth’s were located west of Ferry Rd.King’s Theatre 1956 and 2021: The original King’s Theatre was built in the 1930s on the corner of Berry St. and Portage Ave. A renovation in 1954 added a new entrance, lounge, refreshment bar, and offices.Roseberry Shopping Centre 1956 and 2021: Shopping centre on Portage Ave. at Roseberry St. Silver Heights Apartments 1956 and 2021: Now called the New Mount Royal Apartments. In the city of St. James, apartment blocks were restricted in height and location to ensure that residential areas all had access to direct sunlight.Silver Heights Shopping District 1956 and 2021: The Silver Heights neighbourhood takes it’s name from the house and estate of Donald A. Smith (Lord Strathcona), which was located on the Assiniboine River in this area.St. James City HallSt. James Collegiate 1956 and 2021: St. James Collegiate opened in 1951 to ease the over-crowding in the school division. High school students who had previously attended Britannia and Linwood Schools were transferred to the Collegiate to make room for new students. Prior to housing the school, the land was an experimental farm run by the Hudson’s Bay Company (early 1800s); Bourkevale, the home and farm of the Bourke family (including MLA for St. James, Edwin Bourke); a developed area with bungalows (1920s); and Bourkevale Park Golf Course (1920s-40s).St. James Hotel 1928 and 2021: In 1928, the Fowlie Hotel company constructed the St. James Hotel, a Tudor style building that mimics British pubs and country inns, for a price of $75,000. The first hotel manager, Alex Petrie, lived on site. The establishment featured 24 bedrooms on the second floor, a beer parlour, and a restaurant. The building was damaged by fire in 2017 but was restored and is the current home of Barstool Pub & Eatery.
Learn about the beginnings of St. James and the formation of the Municipality of St. James in 1921 and then hear from Annie Godkin, wife of Joseph William Godkin the first Reeve of St. James.
Aviation in St. James
Discover the rich history of aviation in St. James.
St. James Pharmacies
Learn about pharmacies in St. James throughout the 1900s and how they impacted the community.
A Short History of the Development of St. James
This year we celebrate 100 Years of the Municipality of St. James established in 1921. The first council meeting of the newly established Municipality was held in the Museum’s 1911 Municipal Hall of Assiniboia. Although recently separated from Assiniboia, the St. James Municipality met here before having their own offices.
Inkwell
The armchair pictured here was presented to George T. Chapman on his retiring as Reeve of the Rural Municipality of Assiniboia in 1912. The chair, which still sits inside the Museum’s 1911 Municipal Hall, would have been present in the Municipal Hall during the first meeting of the Municipality of St. James.
In the years following World War II the Municipality of St. James completely surpassed the Municipality of Assiniboia. Nearly 2500 new homes were built between 1948 and 1955. St. James was the fastest growing municipality in the greater Winnipeg area, and it soon had all the attributes of a city.
In April 1956, St. James with a population of 26,870 received its City Charter from the province. A huge parade marked the occasion. Speeches, a band concert, a sing a long and fireworks at Bruce Park.
Reads “City of St. James-Assiniboia”
In 1969, after a 49-year separation, St. James and Assiniboia were reunited as the City of St. James-Assiniboia.
Assiniboia had attracted little industry and its tax base was almost entirely residential. The amalgamation of St. James and Assiniboia took effect on January 1st. The new City of St. James-Assiniboia, Manitoba’s second largest with a population of 67,000, occupied 28,048 acres.
In 1960 a government body known as “Metro”, the Metropolitan Corporation of Greater Winnipeg, was established to perform local services for all Greater Winnipeg Municipalities.
Seal of the City of St. James-Assiniboia
In June 1968, Metro Council declared itself in favour of one government for Greater Winnipeg. Known as Central City, or Unicity, the incorporation of all twelve than existing municipalities and cities into a single city/urban government took effect on January 1, 1972. At the time. St. James-Assiniboia was the largest and most prosperous of the Greater Winnipeg cities and municipalities.
Read more about the history of St. James-Assiniboia here.
In 1912, the R.M. of Assiniboia was moving swiftly into the modern age! The information pamphlet below provides details on the educational facilities, transportation, and infrastructure of the Municipality, just one year after the Municipal Hall which now houses the Historical Museum of St. James-Assiniboia was built.
Join us at the Historical Museum of St. James-Assiniboia for music, crafts, and information on the COVID-19 vaccine. We believe in supporting our community, which means ensuring that everyone has reliable information on the COVID-19 vaccine. With the support of Protect MB we are helping to connect you with the information you need on the COVID-19 vaccine.
Each virtual session will consist of an interactive music workshop or a craft demonstration, and information on the COVID-19 vaccine from Protect MB and information on where you can find further reliable resources on the vaccine.
Craft Sessions
Join us for short sessions consisting of a craft demonstration. Make your very own craft and learn about the COVID-19 vaccine. You can participate with materials from home or pick-up a free craft packet from the museum. Register for the live sessions by emailing st.jamesassiniboiamuseum@gmail.com or stay tuned to our Facebook page to watch the recorded video.
Live Teepee Craft Session on August 25, 2021 at 2pm
Watch the recording of Teepee Craft live session below:
Live Finger Weaving Session on August 27, 2021 at 2pm
Watch the recording of Finger Weaving live session below:
Recorded Keepsake Pouch Session premiering September 10, 2021
Watch the recording of Keepsake Pouch session below:
Musical Session
Join us for an interactive music workshop “Hey, Let’s Write Our Own Music!” led by guitarist and composer Jason Eastwood. What’s it like to write your own music? Jason Eastwood, a composer and songwriter himself, is going to show you how he writes his music so you can too. Jason will also perform a concert of his own music so you can get inspired to write your own. Come listen and learn about the COVID-19 vaccine.
Part 1: Improvisation -Where do ideas come from?
Watch the recording of the September 15, 2021 session below:
Part 2: Instrumentals -All you need is a melody and some chords, but what are those?
Watch the recording of the September 22, 2021 session below:
Part 3: Songs -Sing your heart out. What do you have to say to the world?
Watch the recording of the September 29, 2021 session below:
Join a live Virtual Finger Weaving Workshop with the Historical Museum of St. James-Assiniboia on August 27, 2021 at 2pm.
Register by emailing st.jamesassiniboiamuseum@gmail.com and let us know how many craft kits you require. You can also make this craft with supplies from home! You will need yarn in at least two different colours.
Pick up craft kits ahead of time at 3180 Portage Avenue.
Craft kits must be picked up at 3180 Portage Avenue. Please call 204-888-8706 to confirm hours available for pick-up.
This workshop is made possible through funding from ProtectMB. Have questions about how the COVID-19 vaccines were made and how they work? Visit https://protectmb.ca/vax-facts/ for VAX Facts videos and more.
