Transcona History
If you could drive a straight line from Transcona to Parliament Hill, with an average speed of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, it would take over two days to make the trip. A comfortable walk of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour would take 59 days. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take 41 days.
Transcona Tidbits of Information of Days Past
1907 - When the Canadian Pacific built a rail line through this area, there was virtually nothing else except the odd tree or two, nothing but waving prairie grass, although South Transcona was already in existence and boasted a church, a school, a pool hall, a barbershop and a grocery store.
1908 - Things began to develop for the empty stretch of prairie, the future home of the town. The Grand Trunk Pacific Railroad chose this area to build its railway shops. For this venture, the company purchased 800 acres of land and named the area Transcona, ‘Trans’ as in Transcontinental, and ‘cona’ from Lord Strathcona who had hammered in the last spike for the CPR. The excavation for the foundation of the shops began in June, 1909, with the actual construction starting in 1910. Mr. Peter Watt, who would later be Transcona’s second mayor, did a census; he counted eight men, three women and 15 dogs. But things were already taking off. By the time that Transcona was incorporated as a town in 1912, the population was 1,600.
1910 - The Queen’s Court Hotel was built in 1909 and boasted the first beer parlor in town which was called the Bucket of Blood Saloon!
The Transcona Funeral Chapel began business in 1911, and Davis and Kavanaugh’s butcher shop opened its doors at the southeast corner of Regent and Day (Oxford then).
Seventy-six heroes from Transcona were killed in action fighting in the trenches in Europe during World War I. They paid the ultimate price in service to King and Country. Following the declaration of peace and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, the world, saddened by heavy losses and shaken by the destruction, prepared to welcome home the returned soldiers. In Transcona, citizens celebrated a civic holiday, which included a parade from the downtown area to the town park.
1911 - The Transcona Theatre later became the well-known Apollo Theatre. This movie house was a Regent Avenue landmark from 1912 until 1960. Mr. Triller operated the theatre. Many times the show was lined up down Regent and around the corner along Day Street. Many people remember “Country Store Night” on Saturday evenings, when bags of groceries were given away to the lucky winners of ticket draws.
1912 - Municipal Offices and the Fire Hall opened as did Central School with an enrolment of 150 children.
The first hydro power was brought in from Pointe du Bois.
The first mayor of the fledgling town was elected; he was C.J.E. Maxwell, the general superintendent of construction of the shops.
On May 22, 1912, Police Magistrate R.F. Webster swore in the first town councilors who “were handed the keys to the new town. This event took place in Campbell’s Hall which was the second floor of what later would become the Fruit Home (and is now a Cash Store).
The first Transcona election was held on Monday, May 20th, 1912. Two polling booths were situated across the town, one in the North end at a new store on the corner of Regent and Oxford (currently Day Street) and the other in the South Transcona in the barbershop opposite the Springfield Hotel. Six town councillors were elected as follows: Peter Watt, J.W.Gunn, C.Fieldhouse, Alex Campbell, Ovide Broduer, and Matt Hall.
The Transcona Nationals Football Club was established in 1912. Rumour has it that the team was sponsored by the Canadian National Railways, hence the name Nationals. The early history of the football club is largely unknown. In 1941, the Transcona Football Club won the Intermediate League Championship against the St. Vital Bulldogs with a score of 9-0. For unknown reasons the Transcona Nationals Football Club fielded no teams from 1951 to 1957, although there were a few informal attempts in 1956 and 1957. In 1958, the Transcona Nationals were officially restarted with a Midget team
1913 - CNR Transcona Shops opened. They had been built at a cost of $6 million and would employ 5,000 men. Canada Creosoting Co. Ltd. which began operations in 1911 to provide creosote for railway ties.
Confidence Rebekah Lodge No. 40 was instituted on March 24, 1913.
1914 - Sewage system was installed.
The Transcona Cemetery was surveyed and approved October 7, 1914. By the end of the first year, 22 burials had been made in the new cemetery.
There were 90 phones in town, and the exchange was in an apartment block close to Central School.
1915 to 1918 - Transcona Shops produced munitions for the war; apparently part of the machine shop was converted to a shell shop.
“Transcona News”; the first paper, “Transcona Times,” was published.
Mr. Maranda established the first ‘transit business.’ He drove people to and from Winnipeg in a vehicle that carried ten.
Several churches were built in the early years. The Yale Methodist congregation held its first service in May 1910. Close on its heels were the people of Knox Presbyterian; their church on Harvard Avenue East opened in October 1910.
The first mass of Notre Dame de l’Assomption parish was celebrated in the
home of Paul Jette on August 21, 1910. The Anglicans of Transcona held their first
service on December 7, 1911. St. George’s thrilled Transcona on Christmas Eve, 1911, with the tolling of its bells which were the first in Transcona.
The Canadian Bank of Commerce occupied the corner, at 200 Regent Avenue West from 1915 till CBC left Transcona in 1940, the building was purchased by the Bank of Toronto. Amalgamation with the Dominion Bank took place in 1955, and in 1962, the old building was enlarged and remodelled. This is the only bank which has been continuously servicing Transcona.
1920-1921 - The town experienced severe economic hardship during the 1920s and went bankrupt in 1921. The Mayor and Council were required to resign. The Province administered the Town of Transcona until 1927 when a Town Council was elected.
1929 - Through the winter of 1929, dynamite was used to excavate the foundation for the new Post Office, which was ready for service in early 1930. Mail had been handled in a small office on Bond Street for almost eighteen years before that, so townsfolk were happy to see the expansion. It was almost three decades more before letter carrier service was introduced (in 1958) and people no longer made the daily trip for mail (and visits). Manitoba Telephone System erected their own building in 1929.
1930 - During the Depression the community faced chronic unemployment, railway layoffs, and many economic hardships. To provide employment to able-bodied men, Regent Avenue was paved as a “relief” project. The new cement highway was paved from Transcona to Winnipeg at a cost of $135,000
The Municipal Commissioner’s Levy for Transcona is $5,974.02
for 1930 but Council only agrees to pay $4,000.00.
Residents of South Transcona ask for a sidewalk in front of Fire Hall #2 located on Ashland south of Dugald Road. Ten - 2.5-gallon fire extinguishers are to be bought for use in South Transcona, 2 for the school, 3 for the east end and 5 for the west end. The fire extinguishers cost $13.75 each
A relief operator is to be hired for the Water Works Pumping Station. The job pays 40 cents per hour for the 12-hour shifts.
Teams attending fires are to be paid $5.00 for the first hour and $2.00 for the second hour.
A stop sign is to be placed on the west side of Bond and Pandora.
Council agrees to pay $27.50 for a one train trip to Calgary for an ex resident of Calgary and $5.50 for a one way train trip to Ninette Manitoba for a resident to seek treatment at the sanitarium there.
Fifty residents sign a petition against Council’s decision to allow a store to be built at Ravelston and Madeline.
A bus waiting room is established at the northwest corner of Regent and
Oxford (Day).
The Wanders Football Club has its playing field at Kildare East of Oxford (Day) reserved for that use by council.
The South Transcona water extension project is dropped due to the
declining financial situation of the town.
The Dominion Malting Company reports that its business is very slack and it can not hire any men to relieve the growing unemployment problem.
There are complaints that there are cattle running at large in the west end of
Transcona especially around Ravelston West.
School Block drive slowly signs are placed on Leola in front of the Roman
Catholic School.
A lease is signed between the town and the Transcona Golf Club for the lease of land on Dugald Road for a golf course.
Concrete sidewalks are to be built on the north side of Melrose between
Oxford and Kanata and on Oxford between Melrose and Regent.
Six hundred yards of gravel are to be spread on Nairn (Regent).
The Radio Oil and Gasoline Company announces plans for a gas station on
the southeast corner of Melrose and Bond.
All owners of rigs, wagons and trucks used in the collection of laundry must now pay a license fee.
A female stenographer’s salary is raised to $65.00 per month from $60.00.
The chief constable terminates the services of one of the police constables for misconduct.
The Transcona Pipe Band wins the Canadian Championship.
The roof of the Municipal Hall is to be repaired at a cost of $135.00. The
repairs to the roof of the Water Pumping Station cost $192.50.
A new constable is hired at $100.00 per month, there were 46 applicants for
the job.
Concrete sidewalks are advertised for
West side of Bond between Victoria and Rosseau- 744 feet
North side of Ravelston between Bond and Winona – 522 feet
East side of Leola between Victoria and Rosseau – 744 feet
North side of Victoria between Roanoke and Leola- 495 feet
The water rate charged by the Greater Winnipeg Water District rises to 4 cents
per 1000 gallons.
“A reliable man is to be hired for the fire hall”. He is to be in the fire hall from
6 PM to 6 AM. and he is to be paid $35.00 per month.
Progress is being made on the plans to build a hard surface road from Transcona to Winnipeg.
Transcona’s share of the unemployed relief fund is $90,000.00. Transcona share
is 20% or $18,000.00. The decision is made to use the money to pave Nairn (Regent), from Oxford to a point 2.25 miles west.
An acting town foreman is hired at 65 cents per day for 9 hours per day.
The paving of Regent Avenue is to cost $90,000.00, the federal and provincial governments will pay $36,000.00 each, Transcona $18,000.00. The sewer is to
be extended 300 feet further west on Regent before the pavement is put down.
1931 – Council asks the CNR for an additional passenger train to leave Winnipeg for Transcona at 10:15 PM daily except Sundays.
Council is told that the City of Winnipeg is sending a petition to the Federal Government asking that the day after Christmas be made a public holiday.
Price of lots for sale by the town
Lots west of Hoka except for Regent Avenue West - $40.00
Lots on Regent west of Hoka - $50.00
Lots on Regent from Winona to King with sewer and water - $150.00
Lots on Regent from Winona to King with either sewer or water - $100.00
Lots on King St. with sewer and water - $100.00
Lots on King St. with sewer only - $75.00
Lots on Pandora to north side of Ravelston between Hoka and King except for the
frontage on Regent and King - $50.00
Lots on the south side of Rosseau to north side of Whittier from Hoka to King -
$40.00
The contractor for the Bond St. sidewalk is given 24 hours to remove the large pile of manure from the sidewalk.
Rates of pay for men working on the construction of the pavement on Regent Avenue
Form-setter Foreman - $1.00 per hour
Form – setter helper – 45 cents per hour
Engineer in charge of 3 or more drum machines - $1.00 per hour
Engineer in charge of 2 or more drum machines - $1.00 per hour
Engineer in charge of a single drum machine – 95 cents per hour
Fireman First Class – 75 cents per hour
Fireman Second Class – 65 cents per hour
Concrete Finisher – 70 cents per hour
Carpenter - $1.10 per hour
Waterboy – 25 cents per hour
Labourers – 40 cents per hour
2-Horse Teams – 30 cents per hour
2-Horse Teams with Teamsters – 70 cents per hour
Truck and Driver 1.5 tons - $1.25 per hour
Truck and Driver above 1.5 tons - $1.50 per hour
There are complaints about the number of single men employed by the
sidewalk contractors, married men feel they should be hired first.
The low bid on the Regent Avenue paving come under budget, the winning
bid for the 20-foot wide paving comes to $67,994.30.
The registered unemployed in Transcona number 385 individuals, made up of
110 married men, 215 single men, 60 single women
A stop sign is to be placed at Winona and Regent and 2 stop signs are to
be placed at Bond and Regent.
Residents complain that a radio at 179 Yale Avenue East is a nuisance to the neighborhood because it is being played loudly at all times of the day and night.
The stop sign at Bond and Pandora is removed and relocated to the south
side of Regent and Madeline.
The erection of billboards is prohibited in certain parts of Transcona.
A housekeeper hired for a man whose wife has died is paid $30.00 per
month to keep up the house and look after 5 children.
An additional gas pump is to be installed at Holland Service Station at
30 Regent Avenue West.
All unemployed married men have now been given work at least once on
a rotating basis. Seventy single men on relief will be given work soon. Over 300
unemployed men have been registered; to receive relief every unemployed will have to work on work chosen by council. All single men on pavement construction will be paid a lower rate than married men, at a rate of 37.5 cents per hour regardless of the work involved.
The war memorial is planned for the east side of Oxford at Regent.
Four cases of scarlet fever are reported in Transcona.
The CNR Small Bore Rifle Revolver Association is given permission to operate a small shooting range.
Pandora, Oxford, Gunn Road, Regent and Superior Road are designated as highways. Being classified as highways means that all vehicles travelling on these roads must have lights.
Council is told that Transcona’s population is around 5700.
Transcona Taxi is given a license to operate throughout Transcona.
Pricing of some goods were as follows:
Apples were 25¢ for 7lbs.
Oranges were 23¢ for a dozen.
Butter cost 35¢ per lb.
A 7lbs bag of Red Rose Flour would cost at 35¢.
A 4lbs bag of sugar would run at 25¢ a bag.
A ½ lb of side bacon was 14¢.
A can of Campbell‟s Tomato Soup would cost 10¢.
Three packages of Kellogg‟s Cornflakes were only 25¢.
A Hip or Rump Roast Beef was sold at 10¢ per lb.
Pork Spare Ribs would be priced at 5¢ per lb.
Ten rolls of toilet rolls could be purchased for 25¢.
Toothpaste could be purchased for 25¢ each.
Buckley Cough Syrup was priced at 40¢ and 75¢.
Bayer‟s Aspirin sold for 19¢.
Men‟s Dress Oxford ranged in the price range of $3.99.
A Ladies‟ Flat Crepe Dress would cost $2.95
Ladies Step-In Pumps sold for $2.29.
A man‟s haircut at the Capitol Barbershop would cost 25¢.
An Adult admission to the Apollo Theatre cost 25¢.
A Child admission to the Apollo Theatre would cost 15¢.
Renting an apartment in the Queens Court Suite would start at $8.00/month.
To purchase a four room cottage (without the land) would cost $479.00
A Chesterfield Suit including a couch and an ottoman chair would cost $69.50.
A Moffat Electric Range with four burner would run around $109.50.
An All Felt twin mattress would start at $5.95
The asking price of a Used 1926 Chevrolet Sedan was $275.
The asking price of a Used 1929 Plymouth was $575.
An Oil and Car Greased would start at $1.80.
A one-year subscription, which included 52 issues, would cost $1.50
1932 - Transcona Taxi is given a license to operate throughout Transcona.
There are complaints about cows and horses being kept on Melrose Avenue East between Oxford and Kanata.
A Transcona Football Association is formed.
A new unused 1930 Chevrolet dump truck is purchased for $979.00.
The Chief Constable is to investigate all persons registered as unemployed.
The Transcona Unemployed Association is given the use of the park 2
Sundays per month during the summer months to raise funds for the unemployed.
The area directly east of the War Monument on Regent is be plowed up for
garden use.
One man on relief benefits is cut off from all benefits after he argues with a
foreman on a relief work project.
Grasshopper bait is to be laid out in ward 4 (South Transcona) because of
the large grasshopper problem.
A housekeeper looking after a family without a mother makes $15.00 per
month plus room and board.
A water trough for watering cattle is to be installed west of Hoka on
Whittier. The owners are to pay 50 cents per quarter for the water.
An owner of a herd of cattle is to be prosecuted for allowing his cattle to run
at large and graze on the west end of Dugald Road spoiling the ditches.
Four carpenters doing relief work in the Transcona Cemetery have all their
personally owned tools stolen. In all 29 tools are taken worth $139.78. After a debate when one councillor suggests that the carpenters should buy their own new tools or be replaced with carpenters who still have their own tools; council agrees to replace the stolen tools.
Skating rinks approved
Maple Leaf Hockey Club – south side of Whittier between Madeline and Winona
North End Club- north side of Thompson between Bond and Oxford Ajax Young Men’s Club – east side of Bond between Rosseau and Harvard
Ukrainian Farmer Labour Temple Association – north side of Regent between Wabasha and Roanoke.
A private bridge over the Dugald Ditch is stolen.
One ton of scrap iron pipes is purchased from the CNR for $5.60.
1933 - The town will pay local doctors $10.00 to attend women having babies
but only if they have them in their own homes, not in the hospital.
Transcona Bus Lines is given the contract to operate the Transcona Bus
Service.
Large snowdrifts, a snowplow, block Nairn and Regent and operator is
hired for $50.00 to clear the road.
Transcona School District # 39 asks council to provide scribblers and
pencils for children of unemployed parents. Council says this is a school board
responsibility but suggests they ask the Department of Education for money.
Residents are told it is their responsibility to cut weeds growing in thecenter of the street fronting their property.
A man living on relief in South Transcona says he can not work because his
wooden leg is in poor condition. He is told to get someone to go into the bush and cut him a new one.
CNR cuts the wages of their employees across the board.
The Morrow Block and the house next to it on Regent are to be torn
down because they are deemed to be unsafe. A rising number of buildings in Transcona are reported to be in a poor state of repair.
The Transcona Golf Club is given a 7-year lease on the property on Dugald Road, the rent is $25.00 per month.
Transcona impounds eight calves for running at large; the charge is $15.00. The farmer complains that the charges are too high as the 8 calves are only worth
a dollar apiece.
Transcona takes over 182 pieces of property for unpaid taxes.
1934 - The town asks the CNR to use seniority for the basis for hiring
mechanics. CNR has been hiring newly trained apprentices rather than rehiring laid off mechanics that have 10-15 years of service.
Five hundred feet of fire hose are purchased at $1.05 per foot.
The Transcona Branch of the Canadian Legion asks that people on relief
be allowed to earn $20.00 rather than $10.00 per month before relief benefits are reduced.
The Transcona Curling Club asks council to grant it a site for its curling
club and to exempt it from taxes.
Dogs must be kept under control and they are not allowed to run at large
between sunset and sunrise and from 9AM to 4 PM.
The Transcona Branch of the Canadian Legion proposes to build a curling
club along Oxford and Melrose
A bicycle is purchased for the Police Department.
A caretaker is hired for the Transcona Cemetery for 4 months at $10.00 per
month.
Crescent Show Ltd are given permission to hold a one-week fair on property
on the east side of Wabasha north of Crescent Road. The fair is to have 2 Ferris Wheels, one merry-go –around; one merry mix up, four sideshows and one cook house. The show has seventy employees for which council charges a license fee of $25.00.
Those who use vacant lots for garden purposes must pay 50 cents per year.
Dogs are to be tied up between 8 AM and 8 PM. All dogs must be on a
lease while on the streets.
1935 – Council asks the CNR for the right to use the midway of the CNR Yard
for the travel of Doctor’s vehicles and Fire Equipment to emergencies in South
Transcona.
New License Fees for cows
1 cow - $1.00
2 cows - $2.00
3 cows - $5.00
Over 3 cows - $10.00
Salaries:
Chief Constable - $155.00 per month
Deputy Chief - $120.00 per month
License and Building Inspector - $120.00 per month
Experienced Constable – $115.00 per month
New Constable - $80.00 per month
New Constable after 2 years - $100.00 per month
Auxiliary Fireman - $30.00 per month
The Vimy Block is to be demolished by the town.
A score box is to be placed in the ballpark. Imperial Tobacco Company is
given the exclusive privileges on the grounds in conjunction with advertising for tobacco, cigars and cigarettes.
Transcona population is 5300 and there are 750 sewer connections.
The North American Lumber and Supply Company is ordered to close
down its wood yard at the northwest corner of Bond and Victoria.
1936 – The estimated expenditures for Transcona for 1936 are $219,088.00.
Transcona is to celebrate its silver anniversary in June 1936.
Transcona’s Silver Jubilee Celebrations are take place June 22-27 1936.
Events scheduled include a parade, sports events, and a series of one-act plays put on by the dramatic societies. The Salvation Army Band is to put on a Band Concert during the afternoon along with the Junior Band of the Salvation Army.
Special Lights are to be installed on Regent for the Jubilee Celebrations.
A booklet is being printed for the Silver Jubilee Celebrations.
The Moonlight Train to Grand Beach is to stop 2 nights a week atTranscona, Thursday and Friday nights are the nights chosen.
Two arches are being built for the Silver Jubilee Celebration, one at the westend of town and one at the east end of the Park.
Volunteer Firemen are now to be paid 75 cents per hour.
Eleven boys are arrested for loitering after they refuse to go home after
being told to do so by a police constable. As they are being led away a crowd of young people challenges the police and try to prevent their arrest. Stones are thrown at the police, store windows are broken and some looting occurs.
1937 – The Town of Transcona goes on record in opposing Daylight Saving Time but agrees to go on it to avoid confusion with neighboring communities. Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday May 16 1937 at 12 Midnight and lasts until Midnight September 26
Council approves of St. George Anglican Church’s plans to hold a winter ice carnival known as the Transcona Winter Ice Carnival.
A Public Health Nurse is appointed for the town.
1938 – The Transcona Theatre is to install panic locks and to make occasional announcements advising the proper way to reach the exits in case of fire.
Transcona votes in favour of raising the provincial minimum wage to 40 cents per hour.
A sanitary toilet is purchased for the South Transcona Fire Hall.
A large petition of 1300 residents ask the Provincial Government to set up
a liquor store in Transcona.
Approval is granted to build a roadhouse or cabaret on the south side of
Regent on the west side of the Grand Beach Tracks. They are given a 25 year lease, exclusive operating franchise to operate all days including Sundays and holidays.
The province turns down a liquor store for Transcona because it is not
economically feasible.
The South Transcona Fire Hall is sold to the Transcona Curling Club for the
purpose of erecting a curling rink on the north side.
The bridge from Wayoata to Pandora is reported to be a complete wreck
with parts of it missing taken by persons unknown.
Transcona is awarded the Birks-Dingwall Shield for 1938 for the best maintained
roads by the Manitoba Good Roads Association.
1939 – The T. Eaton Company is to close their store in Transcona. The main
reason is that it is not suitable for the handling of food.
1940 – There are complaints from area residents of excessive noise coming from
the Maple Leaf Club’s ice rink caused by music being played by a gramophone.
The Winnipeg Electric Company is to have 40 seat passenger buses operating
on Saturdays instead of 25 seat buses.
A resident asks council to stop children from making any noise at hockey
games at the Pirate’s Skating Rink.
Council is told that the sidewalk along the Palma Hotel at Bond and Pandora is sinking.
Safeway announces plans to build a grocery store in Transcona.
A reward of $25.00 is offered to anyone giving information leading to the
conviction of persons entering the gravel permit without permission and stealing gravel.
Concrete Sidewalks are to be built on
1. East side of Bond from Harvard to Rosseau
2. South side of Yale from Bond to Winona
3. South side of Harvard from Oxford to Bond
4. South side of Yale from Roanoke to Leola
5. South side of Regent from Kanata to Wabasha
Residents ask that Transcona men be hired for the Cordite Plant under
construction.
Power lines are being constructed on the east side of Redonda and on
the south side of Kildare between Redonda and Ravenhurst to supply power
to the Cordite Plant east of Transcona.
Telephones are to be installed in the homes in of the 3 constables at
town expense.
The British and Canadian government invested 20 million dollars in the construction of “The Cordite Plant” in 1940. Completed in 1941 with its own hospital, staff quarters, and electric generators, this facility employed over 2,460 people to manufacture cordite, a highly explosive material made with Nitro Glycerin.
The Canadian Bank of Commerce occupied the corner, at 200 Regent Avenue West as early as 1915. When CBC left Transcona in 1940, the building was purchased by the Bank of Toronto
1941 – Moore’s Taxi Company takes out a license to operate in Transcona. Its
office will be located at the Imperial Oil Station at Regent and Oxford.
An illegal bar and bawdyhouse at the corner of Kildare and Redonda is
shut down after “immoral activities” are found to be occurring there. The woman
conducting the “activities” is a Miss Bowering from East Kildonan known to police there. Men from the CNR Shops and the newly opened Cordite Plant are found to be frequenting the farmhouse on a regular basis even during Sunday Church time.
The Palma Hotel is to be equipped with a fire escape.
Two films are to be shown in Transcona with 20% of the gross receipts
going to the Lord Mayor of London’s Fund for air raid victims. The two films
are “Hitler the Beast of Berlin” AND “The Warning”.
The Winnipeg Electric Company tells council that their bus servicebetween
Winnipeg and Transcona will end as of May 1 1941. They tell council that the
service has been losing money for years. The White Ribbon Bus Company is
to pick up the extra load; the cost for adults is 10 cents one way.
Cattle owners on Nairn (Regent) are told not to allow their cattle on the
right-of-way.
Oxford (Day) from Regent to Pandora, Pandora to Superior and Dugald are
to be gravelled and oiled to handle the great increase in traffic from the Cordite Plant.
A car driving down the sidewalk in front of Central School hits a child.
1942 – Council wants Regent Ave extended eastward to the Cordite Plant in
Springfield but the Federal Government doesn’t want Regent extended.
All cattle in Transcona are to be tested for TB.
The Police Office is broken into, equipment and $430.50 is taken.
Concrete sidewalks are to be built at a cost of 90 cents per linear foot on the
East side of Winona between Yale and Ravelston
South side of Ravelston between Oxford and the lane
North side of Regent between Winona and Madeline
North side of Pandora between Wabasha and Leola
North side of Pandora between Winona and Madeline
South side of Regent between Roanoke and Leola
North side of Yale between Oxford and Kanata
West side of Madeline between Ravelston and Rosseau
Cemetery plots in the Transcona Cemetery cost $40.00
The Transcona flag is to be lowered to half-mast on the news ofdeaths
among Transcona residents in the armed forces.
1943 – Victory Gardens are to be established in Transcona.
An Air Cadet Squadron is to be formed at Central School.
Twenty-five new street signs are to be placed on Leola, Oxford, Bond
andRegent. The signs are to be placed in cement and cost $3.25 each.
New ditches are to be dug to drain South Transcona.
1944 – Council reserves a lot for the new Transcona United Church Building.
Transcona’s population is now 5,231.
The rain pipe is to be removed from between the theatre and the Safeway
Store as the water pours onto the sidewalk.
The Canadian Legion tells council that the Decoration Day Parade will be
held on June 18 1944. The parade is to start from the Legion, then east to Kanata, north to Ravelston, west on Ravelston to Madeline then south to Regent and the Cenotaph.
The owner of a miniature bowling alley with 4 lanes asks for a reduction in
his license fee.
Council asks the CNR to stop the practice of blowing their shop train whistle
at the shop gate, as it is very annoying to residents.
A town constable is suspended but not fired after he is drunk and is
involved in a fight at the Legion Hall. He is off duty at the time but the on duty police constable had to be called to break up the fight. The drunken officer is taken to the Police Office to sober up and is warned he could be fired for the incident. Seeing a town councillor at the Police Station he throws the councillor to a desk and says “ I will kill you, you little bastard”.
A Victory Day Celebration Committee is formed to arrange for a day of celebration when the war ends.
The Zephyr Club, the recreational club of the CNR Car Department is denied the right to hold a Bingo because Bingo is gambling and all gambling is illegal.
1945 – Serious flooding occurs in the western and southern part of Transcona.
A tag day is held in support of Mosquito Control.
The previously suspended police constable is fired after he again is drunk
and gets into a fight with a group of men at the Palma Café. He is again off
duty when he gets into a fight. He has a black eye, his face is swollen and he has boot marks on his face. He tells the arriving officer that “the bohunks were trying to kick the shit out of him but they can’t do it”.
There is a considerable dog nuisance within town as many dogs are running at
large and barking at night.
North American Lumber and Supply tells council that coal is being stolen
from their yard and then the coal is being sold to residents at half their price undermining their business by forcing them to compete with their own stolen coal.
Gasoline Service Stations must now close at 7 PM, and they can not open
before 5 AM. Monday through Saturday. All stations must remain closed on
Sundays.
The “Cordite Plant” or the Defense Industries Limited as it was officially called was shut down March 7, 1945. The city of Transcona wanted to convert the plant for “civilian use” such as a dairy plant. The government wanted no trace of the site and took down all 230 buildings using some of the lumber to build 72 houses for returning vets.
1946 – Lots are turned over for the construction of 25 additional houses for
returned servicemen.
Transcona is told that they will receive an automatic telephone system
early in 1947. Council is told that if the 5-cent toll were removed for Transcona-
Winnipeg calls the monthly rate would have to rise to $3.00 per month.
The town budget for 1946 is $126,388.42 not including the school
districts.
Council is told that there were 11 fires in Transcona in April 1946. This is
an unusually high number.
Council is told that much vandalism has taken place in the Park. Shingles
have been torn off the Bandstand Roof, the back rail has been broken and 2
of the park benches have been wrecked.
1947 – The employees of the White Ribbon Bus Company go on strike cutting
off bus service to Transcona. An increase of 10 cents per hour to the workers ends the strike. Bus fares are raised to pay for the increase, the fare is now 15 cents one way or 25 cents return. Workmen weekly bus tickets cost 10 cents a ride. Children’s bus tickets cost 7.5 cents each but now the children’s ticket is only good for children 14 and younger instead of 16 and younger.
A resident complains that a $2.00 per year increase in his property taxes is
far too high.
A minute silence is observed for the victim’s of the train wreck at Dugald
Manitoba. The flag is flown at half-mast on September 9 1947.
Transcona considers setting up a Parks Board.
The speed limit on Regent from Panet Road to the built up area is 50 mph.
The price of plots in the Transcona Cemetery is 60 cents per square foot. The verage adult grave requires 32 square feet so $19.20 is the standard price.
1948 – The Ukrainian Catholic Church announces its plans to build a new
$30,000.00 to $40,000.00 hall.
Sale price of wartime housing
4-room houses - $3600.00
5–room houses - $4600.00
A down payment of 10% is required and the remaining payments are to be made over 25 years
The Royal George Hotel is to be remodeled.
The Pirates Skating Club is to erect a permanent building on their property.
Transcona telephone users are to receive 5 free phone calls per month and
free hospital calls.
Sidewalks to be built include
Melrose Avenue East between Wabasha and Roanoke
Ravelston Ave East between Park Circle and Roanoke
Park Circle between Ravelston and Yale
Six benches in the Park are set alight.
The City of Winnipeg considers paving Nairn Ave to the Transcona
boundary.
There are complaints of rats living in the Regent Ave Sewer.
The owners of the dry cleaning plant on Regent Ave West are given 30 days
to complete their building.
The Bandstand at the Park is to be repaired again after being vandalized
once again.
The CNR appeals council’s decision to include them in the taxassessment
area making them obligated to pay property taxes.
The Maple Leaf Club is officially organized.
The inaugural meeting of the Transcona Parks Board is held.
The People’s Bakery in Transcona is declared to be unsanitary and is
ordered closed by the Health Inspector.
1949 - E.J. Casey’s Shows is given permission to operate a fair in Transcona for
3 days in May 1949.
Robert Drugstores is commended for placing a 30-gallon drum in front of its
store on Regent for garbage.
One-hour parking limits are placed on Regent between Winona and Oxford
and on the east side of Bond between Pandora and Victoria. Two-hour parking limits are placed on "Devil Strip" on Regent West between Oxford and Winona.
The CNR is to pay $100,000.00 in property taxes over 4 years, $25,000.00
per year.
A grocery store is to be built at Madeline and Harvard.
A movie theatre is to be built at the southeast corner of Victoria and Oxford
South Transcona School is ordered to be closed until the brick veneers
repaired, it is bulging out 10 inches.
Transcona Bolwing Alley is charged for being open on Sundays, the Lord's
Days Alliance doesn't want the Recreation Center open on Sunday's either.
1950 – Transcona’s population is now estimated to be 7000.
The Transcona Taxi Company begins operations with one car, permission
for a second care is asked of the Municipal and Public Utility Board.
The East End Athletic Association asks for council’s permission to
sponsor the EJ Casey Shows.
There are complaints that a resident of 423 Pandora East is throwing slop
and human waste into the backlane.
Transcona’s budget reaches an all time high of $253,304.52.
A Police Constable is suspended for damaging the cruiser car on Whittier
Avenue East when he got stuck. He then damaged the Health Department Truck when he tried pulling out the cruiser car. He is also accused of associated with gamblers and giving information to gamblers that a police raid was coming.
Council purchases a 6 ton truck for $3164.00.
There are complaints that a resident of 423 Pandora E is throwing slop and human waste into the backlane.
A 1948 used 2 ton truck is purchased for $1000.00.
The Poundkeeper is given one month’s notice as he is seen by council as being too old to carry out his duties.
A Police Constable is suspended for damaging the cruiser car on Whittier Avenue East when he got stuck. He then damaged the Health Department Truck when he tried pulling out the cruiser car. He is also accused of associating with gamblers and giving information to gamblers that a police raid was coming.
The suspended police constable is fired after he is found to have taken
money to alert Transcona gamblers of police actions in advance.
Transcona is not threatened by floodwaters in the 1950 flood but plays a large support role for the flooded areas. A special Transcona Flood Emergency
Organization is formed. Transcona loans 3 trucks, other equipment and men to St.
Boniface. Extra food supplies are ordered by Canada Safeway and stored in boxcars in the CNR Yards. Transcona residents supply food, cigarettes, hip waders and thermoses to the flooded areas. Over 300 Transcona residents report to St. Boniface for building dikes. Transcona offers shelter to 568 flood refuges, 336 adults, 232 children; preference is given to CNR employees working in the Transcona Shops. Evacuees are billeted in private homes and in the Castle Hall over the Red and White Store on Regent. Friends and family members take in 317 individuals. St. Michael’s Parish Hall at Oxford and Regent becomes a location to feed the refuges.
A new police constable is hired at $185.00 per month.
A child dies in a fire at 421 Melrose Avenue East. Firemen find the 2 closest fire hydrants out of order and discover low water pressure in other hydrants. An investigation finds that the child was dead before the firemen arrived but council orders all fire hydrants in Transcona to be checked and repaired if found to be faulty.
A ladies restroom is to be constructed in the basement of the Tax Office on Pandora.
A theatre is to be built on Regent Avenue West.
1951 – Castle Hall reported to be in an unsafe condition, dancing in the hall is now forbidden as only meetings can be held there now.
A constable is hired at $185.00 per month.
The speed limit for trucks on Dugald Road is 25 mph; the speed limit for cars is 30 mph.Population - 6700.Carl A. Venn is manager of The Bank of Toronto, 200 Regent Avenue West, Transcona, Manitoba from January 2, 1951 to November 23, 1953
A concert is to be held in the Park every Wednesday night during August 1951. Council makes sure an uniformed police officer is there all 5 nights to keep order.
Fare changes for the White Ribbon Bus Company.
Adult weekly ticket 14 rides for $1.50
Adult single fare – 25 cents
Adult return fare – 35 cents
Children single fare – 10 cents
Children 3 tickets for – 25 cents
1952 – Salaries
Heavy duty Patrol Operator - $1.26 per hour
ater Utility man - $1.20 per hour
Public Work employee - $1.15 per hour
Temporary Labourer - $1.00 per hour
Garbage man - $1.20 per hour
Garbage man’s helper - $1.00 per hour
The police are asked to protect people at the Apollo Theatre when it becomes overcrowded.
New uniforms are purchased for the Police Department
Tunics and Trousers - $67.95 each
Boots - $15.95 per pair
Shirts - $3.00 each
Ties – 60 cents each
Caps - $5.50 each
Pea jackets - $34.00 eachThe Winnipeg Electric Company is to erect electrical poles on McMeans and Winona for a new housing project.The White Ribbon Bus Lines passenger shelter at King (Plessis) andRegent is to be repaired after damages caused by vandals.A grass fire is reported at the Transcona Cemetery.Residents complain that someone has taken the wooden planks torn up from the Edward Avenue sidewalk that were reserved for a resident on welfare.Juveniles caught riding on the sidewalks have their bicycles impounded for2 weeks.The Pirate Skating and Community Club is given permission to enlarge its skating rink to 90 feet by 194 feet.Transcona Speed Skating Club’s clubroom on Victoria Avenue west of Madeline is partially destroyed by fire.Transcona Scouts and Cubs are given permission to erect a clubhouse on Pandora Avenue West.A public appeal is made to build a baseball stadium on Kildare Avenue.The garbageman’s helper salary is raised to $1.15 per hour.
1953 – A drive-in theatre is to be built on Regent Avenue West.The speed limit on Regent Avenue west of King is to be increased to 40mph.Residents are told that they will vote on March 10 1953 on whether Griffin Steel Foundries should be given a flat assessment for tax purposes from 1954 to1963 in order for them to set up a plant in Transcona.Council is to purchase a new cruiser car for $2396.71 minus the trade in of the 1951 vehicle; after the trade in the cost is only $750.00.Leon’s Meats is to move from 137 Regent Avenue West to 301 Regent Avenue West.All town owned 27-foot lots are offered to adjacent property owners for $1.00 except for corner lots.A new sidewalk snowplow is purchased for $4400.00 minus a $1600.00 trade in of the old snowplow.J.G. Bilodeau is appointed the Chief of Police, Fire Chief, Health Inspector, Building Inspector, License Inspector and Relief Officer at $315.00 per month.Council is told that town employees are taking coffee breaks, which they are not entitled to.The Drive-In Theatre is to pay a license fee of $100.00 plus $1.00 for each car they receiver per year.The sidewalks are now under construction to serve Westview School.
The official opening of Westview School takes place on November 6 1953.. See more information here
1954 – Transcona is told it is next in line for a liquor store.
Princess Auto is given permission to operate a business dismantling old
wrecked cars on land east of Panet Road.
Winnipeg tells Transcona that it will not take in any patients unless it
guarantees a daily rate of $6.50 per day.The stadium site on Kildare Avenue East is formerly turned over to the Parks Board
Transcona’s population is now 7200.The Air Raid Siren accidentally sounds due to a short circuit.A Drive-In Ice Cream stand is approved for Regent Avenue.A 4-suite apartment block is to be built on the south side of Regent between Bond and Winona.The cenotaph is to be moved at a cost of $400.00.The first five mailboxes are placed on the street corners in town.A fire is set in one of the mailboxes.Manitoba Telephone System is asked to install a phone booth at Regent and Winona.Midway Auto Wrecking Company is given permission to establish a wrecking yard south of the CNR Tracks and east of Highway 59.
1955 - New signs were placed at Dugald and King Street, Regent and Hwy 59 (Panet Road), and Dugald and Superior (close to the Cemetery) celebrating Transcona‟s population as “8,000 happy people.”
A lumberyard is to be established on the east side of Birds Hill Road(Highway 59).
The CNR and Transcona are to share fire equipment during emergencysituations. Fire equipment can travel either way through the Shop Gates without stopping.
A resident complains that the Chief of Police and 3 plain-clothesdetectives walked into his home without knocking and without a search warrant.
A snack bar is to be erected at the northwest corner of King (Plessis) and Dugald.
The Fire Hall and Public Works Garage on Victoria at Yale is to be sold for$30,000.00 to Ensign Stores to erect a Shop Easy Grocery Store.A service station is to be constructed at the corner of Regent and Plessis.
Council turns down the request of Winnipeg to participate in the Disraeli Bridge project because it feels it is of no benefit to Transcona.
1956 – A resident asks for $150.00 to repair the damage caused by the
apprehension of a criminal by the Police Department.
One of the volunteer firemen will be called to pick up the other firemen and take them to the Fire Hall or to the scene of the fire.
Council is told unofficially, that as the population is now near 10,000, door to door mail delivery will likely be instituted within the year.
D & S Carburetor and Ignition Laboratory is to construct a building atthe northeast corner of Pandora and Madeline.A waterline is to be constructed on Kildare Avenue West between Oxford and Winona.
Farmer’s Service Station is ordered to stop washing cars on its property.
Police Uniform costs21 shirts - $3.50 each14 black ties – 80 cents each3 muskrat hats - $18.00 each14 black leather lined gloves - $2.65 each7-2 piece blue serge uniforms - $42.50 each5 full length winter coats - $42.50 each7 pair summer tropical trousers - $15.00 per pair.7 pair leather lined police boots - $11.85 per pair7 gabardine clothe topcoats - $36.50 eachMaple Leaf Community Club is given permission to build a wading pool.
A cashier in the Tax Office is to be hired for $175.00 per month.
The Royal Bank is to build a bank and store on the south side of Regent between Bond and Oxford.A meeting is held to discuss building a library in Transcona.
All members of the Police Department will be required to attend the City of Winnipeg Police Training School.
1957 – A store at 301 Regent Avenue West is fined for selling groceries on
Sunday.
Council is told that there are 15 retarded children attending school in School District # 39. Council decides to spend $1200.00 to send these children to school in the next school year to the Kinsmen “Retard” School in Winnipeg. The school district feels it should only be teaching “normal” children not “mental defectives”.
A mechanic is hired at $1.45 per hour.A resident receives a bounty of $15.00 for killing 3 coyotes in Transcona.
Residents are told to install mailboxes because 90% of homes must have them before door to door mail delivery can begin.Appliance stores are allowed to remain open one night a week until 9:00PM.Council approves plans for an addition to Westview School.The Knights of Columbus are to build a new hall on the south side of Rosseau.New store classificationsBuilding and Lumber Supplies:North American Lumber and Supply Company Ltd Dominion Lumber and Fuel Company South Side Lumber and Building SuppliesButcher Shop:Transcona Quick FreezeDepartment Stores:Transcona Merchant Ltd J. Blostein & SonClothing: Berkal Tailors Hrynkow Dress ShopJ ack’s Fashion Shop Walker’s Men’s Wear Dressmaking Shop: Nell’s Variety ShopDry Goods: Max KatzDrug Stores:Robert’s Drug Store Ltd Still’s Drug Store Electrical Shop: C. R. NotleyHardware: J. G. Cochran Regent Hardware Jewelry Stores: Regent Gift Shop A. Muruca Shoe Store: N. Homeniuk Shoe Repair: Dan’s Shoe Repair A. GrandeThe Kinsmen Club make a proposal to build a swimming pool.Krahn Homes is to build homes on the south side of Kildare and the north sideof Whittier from Leola to Wayoata.
Fluoride is to be added to the water supply.
Residents are told to install mailboxes because 90% of homes must have them before door to door mail delivery can begin.A resident of Melrose Avenue east of Leola complains that people are stopping their car in front of her residence and drinking liquor.A public library is to be built after it receives the approval of the voters.
1958 – The official opening of the Transcona Library is June 7 1955.
The Kinsmen Swimming Pool is to be erected east of the stadium on Kildare Avenue East. The Transcona Broadcasting Company applies for a license to operate a radio station in Transcona.
The Kiwanis Club of Transcona was granted its Charter. The Transcona Library Budget for 1958 is $8800.00.A $1,000,000.00 shopping centre is to be built on land bought from Model Homes.School District # 39 asks that land be set aside for a school (MargaretUnderhill).There are complaints about the vast amount of black smoke coming from the CNR Chimney.Central School is to be renovated for $40,000.00Large street paving is to take place in Transcona the cost is $401,551.91.The rates charged to local residents, as local improvement charges are $8.25 per foot for a 24-foot wide pavement and $10.71 per foot for a 30-foot wide pavement. The payments can be made over 10 years, the charge for a 24 foot wide pavement is $1.10 per foot per year, the charge for a 30 foot wide pavement is $1.43 per foot per year.The Kinsmen Swimming Pool is to be erected east of the stadium on KildareAvenue East.A bicycle repair shop is approved for the rear of 221 Regent Avenue East.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is given permission to build a new churchA Drive-In Restaurant is under construction on King Street north ofTranscona Motors.The owner of Regent Hardware at 129 Regent Avenue East complains about the parking problems in front of his store.All streets south of Kildare between Bond and Hoka are to be paved.
1959 – An A & W Drive-In Restaurant is to be built near the intersection of Regent and Birds Hill Road (Panet).Jack & Esther’s Restaurant is given permission to hold dances on Saturday nights from 8 PM to Midnight.
Transcona Curling Club is to construct a new building at 204 Oxford.
The construction of the Regent Park Shopping Centre is to begun soon.Water is shut off at the Victoria Cleaners because of hazardousconditions in the plant.Street name changesAshland to RennieCampbell to FullerFourth to MicklinHoward to ReidLorette to ShannonMaple to PeakeMulvey to GoodyearParker to McGibbonQueen to RobsonRoyal to MorozSecond to TaggardStafford to LarcheStuart to MaxwellThird to PitreWatt to KernaghanWestgate to BaxterRegent Avenue South Side to WebsterCouncil is told by the Metropolitan Planning Commission that Shannon, McGibbon and Maxwell can not be used as streets names because these names already exist in Greater Winnipeg.A 4-suite apartment block is to be built at Melrose and Hoka.
High School students are now part of the new Transcona-Springfield School Division # 12. The Division levies $95,813.00 on the ratepayers of Transcona.Permission is granted to erect a motor hotel at the southeast corner of Regent and Birds Hill Road (Panet).The owners of the Drive-In Theatre (Starlight) are asked to provide to provide officers for traffic control.The dwelling at 224 Regent Ave West is to be used as a medical office.
A triple combination fire truck consisting of a pumping engine, ladder and tank is purchased for $19,920.00.The Transcona Public Library makes a proposal to build a library building on Rosseau east of Oxford.Severe flooding occurs in South Transcona.
Regent Park School is now open.
1960 - The Kiwanis Club of Transcona undertook a special project of great magnitude: to acquire the historic CNR locomotive "No. 2747" as a permanent exhibit for present and future citizens of Transcona. The club surveyed an area in the west end of Transcona along Kildare Avenue, King Street (since renamed as Plessis Road), and the CNR Beach Track. To compliment the historic "No. 2747" exhibit, development plans for the park included a wading pool, climbing tree, slide, swings, monkey bars, teeter-totter, merry go-round, railroad tie pyramid, culvert tunnels, a wishing well, picnic tables, trees, green space, and a parking lot for 18 cars. "What made the "No. 2747 so special and why did the Kiwanis Club want it?" Well, the "No. 2747" as it was known, was the first steam locomotive ever built in western Canada for any railroad and perhaps of even greater significance (at least to locals) it was completely built in Transcona at the CNR Shops by Transcona people. In fact, the famed "No. 2747" was the first of 38 steam locomotives produced in the Transcona Shops between 1926 and 1938.
A lot has changed too: the Town / City of Transcona no longer exist and neither does the Kiwanis Club of Transcona for that matter. And while the City of Winnipeg no longer owns the locomotive (the Winnipeg Railway Museum owns it now) the City still maintains the park for the use of all residents and tourists to enjoy. Recently, there have been some discussions regarding the question what to do with the "CN 2747"? Yes, it is in a deteriorating condition and it does require restoration and will need protection. While the past does not predict the future, taking a look back to the year 1960 helps answer the question of how and why we got the CNR Locomotive No. 2747 in the first place. Hopefully, having this understanding will help concerned citizens in our community answer the next very important question "what about it‟s future?"
Service stations are given the power to set their own hours of operation.
Residents are requested to disconnect their eavetroughs from the sanitary
sewers to prevent sewer backup.
A reward of $25.00 is offered leading to the arrest of anyone damaging or
defacing street signs.
The Transcona Kinsmen Club is to operate and maintain the swimming
pool under construction.
J. G. Bilodeau is promoted to the new position of Fire and Safety
Commissioner. J. Teres is appointed as the new Police and Fire Chief.
A resident complains that Bingo being played 7 days a week is destroying
fundraising for sports. He asks council to outlaw all Bingo games. If council is not
willing to do this he suggests that craps games should be played on Regent Avenue in aid of the Stadium Fund.
Robert’s Drug Store is to be expanded.
Regent Park Shopping Centre under construction is to have 22
businesses.
Transcona resident Bernie Wolfe is elected a Metro Councillor, he
represents Transcona, Elmwood and the southern portion of East Kildonan.
1961 - Transcona had 13,000 citizens and was granted its City Charter. Transcona celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1961.
Kiwanis Park was created as the Transcona Jubilee project of 1961, thanks to the special efforts of all Kiwanis members including Thomas F. Copeland, the Mayor of Transcona. The Canadian National Railway donated the No. 2747 Locomotive to the City of Transcona a symbol of appreciation for the support from the community.
The new Canada Safeway Store in the Regent Park Shopping Centre
asks council for permission to remain open until 9 PM during its opening week.
Transcona asks the Manitoba Legislature to pass a bill making the
Town of Transcona the City of Transcona.
Transcona is to replace 120 old manhole covers at a cost of $2000.00.
Metro Transit is asked to take over the White Ribbon Bus Line.
Council is presented with a plaque by the Manitoba Safety Division for
Transcona having no fatal accidents in 1960.
Pony rides are to be offered for a period of 6 months in the area of Regent
close to the Starlight Drive-In.
Transcona is now a city, councillors are now called aldermen.
The old Oxford Heights Community Club Building is being torn down. The
club is given new land and a new community club building is to be erected.
A resident tells council he is taking legal action against Transcona for
contracting a bad case of poison ivy from the boulevard in front of his house.
Council is outraged with a sign on the property of the Titan Trucking
Terminal at 1180 Nairn Avenue on the Winnipeg side of the Winnipeg-Transcona
boundary. The sign says this is the East-West Berlin Fence, Buy Canada Saving Bonds. Transcona lies to the east of the fence sign and is assumed to be East Berlin by some. Council finds it insulting to be considered as “Communist East Berlin”. Council feels this will lead to a reduction in the sale of Canadian Saving Bonds by Transcona residents.
A civil defense warning siren is being erected on the east side of
McFadden at Dugald Road.
East End Community Club is to construct a new clubhouse.
1962 - Four hundred Elm trees are purchased at a cost of $1.25 each.
The Garden Apartments are built in Kern Park over the opposition of
Council.
Transcona-Springfield School Division asks for council’s approval to build a
new collegiate at Redonda and Kildare.
Pro-Putt Miniature Golf Course is to open just north of the A & W Drive-In near Regent and Panet Road.
Council is told that the start of the floodway construction will begin
shortly.
Regent Avenue West is now a 4-lane highway. The official opening
ceremonies take place October 22 1962 at 8 PM at King and Plessis.
1963 - The price of plots in the Transcona Cemetery increases to $1.50 per
square foot from 80 cents per square foot. The average grave requires 32 square feet.
The mayor now makes $200.00 per month.
The Cordite Ditch is to be closed and filled in within the boundaries of Transcona.
Transcona asks Metro Council to rename Oxford Street, Day Street instead of Midway.
Gasoline is purchased for city vehicles at 18.5 cents per gallon. Diesel is
purchased at 19.9 cents per gallon.
A new service station is to be constructed at the southwest corner of
Regent and Plessis.
Satellite skating rinks are to be constructed on the Radisson School
Grounds and at a location in the West End.
A resident complains about the $20.00 license fee for female dogs.
1966 - The slogan “The Park City” was officially adopted through a motion passed by Mayor Harry Fuller and Alderman C.J. Perry, Paul E. Martin, William Dzyndra, and M. Sharpe. The motion stated, “that the words „Park City‟ would be included on all letterhead”. A few months later, as part of a campaign to further promote Transcona‟s park-like image, the Transcona Post Office provided the City administration with a postage tape bearing the official slogan “The Park City”.
1968 - The official opening of the Transcona Historical Museum took place. About one hundred guests were on hand to attend the opening ceremonies. In 1970, expansion of library services, together with the growth of the museum necessitated relocation to a larger area. The decision was made to set aside space in the Roland Mitchener Arena at 1131 Wabasha Street to house museum collections. After months of tremendous effort by dedicated community members, The Transcona Historical Museum re-opened on Wednesday, March 22, 1972 in the basement of the newly constructed recreation centre. By 1979, the Museum was again in search of a new home – one that provided greater accessibility and space for museum collections and exhibits. At this same time, the old Transcona Municipal Office at 141 Regent Avenue West, which was originally built in 1925 by the former Bank of Toronto, was designated a Class III Historic Building by the City of Winnipeg. Little time was wasted in assigning this heritage building as Transcona Historical Museum‟s new and final residence. After a second major move, the Museum officially opened its doors on Sunday, June 25, 1983 at its current location.
1970 - Redonda Street Park was renamed Crocus Park, Manitoba‟s provincial flower, as part of Manitoba Centennial Celebrations. Crocus Park is situated on a former municipal landfill site. Between 1911 and 1920, the Town of Transcona built a garbage incinerator on the site at a cost of $25,000. While the incinerator was never fired, teenagers dared each other to climb the old ladder inside the smokestack.
1972 - The City of Transcona existed until January 1, 1972 when it was amalgamated with the City of Winnipeg.Today, Transcona is a large urban community in the City of Winnipeg with a population of approximately 40,000 people.
1973 - L’Arche became part of the community of Transcona since 1973 with its first home located on Rosseau Avenue. L’Arche now has six homes, two independent living suites and a local office.
1980 - Kildonan Place Mall opens September 24, with over 90 stores. we’re still going strong today with over 100 shops and services, and are a vital part of the Transcona retail hub.
2000 - The Transcona Historical Museum dedicated a Book of Honour naming all known sons and daughters of Transcona who enlisted and served in World War II. It is on permanent display in the Transcona Historical Museum.
If anyone has any other information please contact the website and we will gladly put more tidbits up on this page.
1908 - Things began to develop for the empty stretch of prairie, the future home of the town. The Grand Trunk Pacific Railroad chose this area to build its railway shops. For this venture, the company purchased 800 acres of land and named the area Transcona, ‘Trans’ as in Transcontinental, and ‘cona’ from Lord Strathcona who had hammered in the last spike for the CPR. The excavation for the foundation of the shops began in June, 1909, with the actual construction starting in 1910. Mr. Peter Watt, who would later be Transcona’s second mayor, did a census; he counted eight men, three women and 15 dogs. But things were already taking off. By the time that Transcona was incorporated as a town in 1912, the population was 1,600.
1910 - The Queen’s Court Hotel was built in 1909 and boasted the first beer parlor in town which was called the Bucket of Blood Saloon!
The Transcona Funeral Chapel began business in 1911, and Davis and Kavanaugh’s butcher shop opened its doors at the southeast corner of Regent and Day (Oxford then).
Seventy-six heroes from Transcona were killed in action fighting in the trenches in Europe during World War I. They paid the ultimate price in service to King and Country. Following the declaration of peace and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, the world, saddened by heavy losses and shaken by the destruction, prepared to welcome home the returned soldiers. In Transcona, citizens celebrated a civic holiday, which included a parade from the downtown area to the town park.
1911 - The Transcona Theatre later became the well-known Apollo Theatre. This movie house was a Regent Avenue landmark from 1912 until 1960. Mr. Triller operated the theatre. Many times the show was lined up down Regent and around the corner along Day Street. Many people remember “Country Store Night” on Saturday evenings, when bags of groceries were given away to the lucky winners of ticket draws.
1912 - Municipal Offices and the Fire Hall opened as did Central School with an enrolment of 150 children.
The first hydro power was brought in from Pointe du Bois.
The first mayor of the fledgling town was elected; he was C.J.E. Maxwell, the general superintendent of construction of the shops.
On May 22, 1912, Police Magistrate R.F. Webster swore in the first town councilors who “were handed the keys to the new town. This event took place in Campbell’s Hall which was the second floor of what later would become the Fruit Home (and is now a Cash Store).
The first Transcona election was held on Monday, May 20th, 1912. Two polling booths were situated across the town, one in the North end at a new store on the corner of Regent and Oxford (currently Day Street) and the other in the South Transcona in the barbershop opposite the Springfield Hotel. Six town councillors were elected as follows: Peter Watt, J.W.Gunn, C.Fieldhouse, Alex Campbell, Ovide Broduer, and Matt Hall.
The Transcona Nationals Football Club was established in 1912. Rumour has it that the team was sponsored by the Canadian National Railways, hence the name Nationals. The early history of the football club is largely unknown. In 1941, the Transcona Football Club won the Intermediate League Championship against the St. Vital Bulldogs with a score of 9-0. For unknown reasons the Transcona Nationals Football Club fielded no teams from 1951 to 1957, although there were a few informal attempts in 1956 and 1957. In 1958, the Transcona Nationals were officially restarted with a Midget team
1913 - CNR Transcona Shops opened. They had been built at a cost of $6 million and would employ 5,000 men. Canada Creosoting Co. Ltd. which began operations in 1911 to provide creosote for railway ties.
Confidence Rebekah Lodge No. 40 was instituted on March 24, 1913.
1914 - Sewage system was installed.
The Transcona Cemetery was surveyed and approved October 7, 1914. By the end of the first year, 22 burials had been made in the new cemetery.
There were 90 phones in town, and the exchange was in an apartment block close to Central School.
1915 to 1918 - Transcona Shops produced munitions for the war; apparently part of the machine shop was converted to a shell shop.
“Transcona News”; the first paper, “Transcona Times,” was published.
Mr. Maranda established the first ‘transit business.’ He drove people to and from Winnipeg in a vehicle that carried ten.
Several churches were built in the early years. The Yale Methodist congregation held its first service in May 1910. Close on its heels were the people of Knox Presbyterian; their church on Harvard Avenue East opened in October 1910.
The first mass of Notre Dame de l’Assomption parish was celebrated in the
home of Paul Jette on August 21, 1910. The Anglicans of Transcona held their first
service on December 7, 1911. St. George’s thrilled Transcona on Christmas Eve, 1911, with the tolling of its bells which were the first in Transcona.
The Canadian Bank of Commerce occupied the corner, at 200 Regent Avenue West from 1915 till CBC left Transcona in 1940, the building was purchased by the Bank of Toronto. Amalgamation with the Dominion Bank took place in 1955, and in 1962, the old building was enlarged and remodelled. This is the only bank which has been continuously servicing Transcona.
1920-1921 - The town experienced severe economic hardship during the 1920s and went bankrupt in 1921. The Mayor and Council were required to resign. The Province administered the Town of Transcona until 1927 when a Town Council was elected.
1929 - Through the winter of 1929, dynamite was used to excavate the foundation for the new Post Office, which was ready for service in early 1930. Mail had been handled in a small office on Bond Street for almost eighteen years before that, so townsfolk were happy to see the expansion. It was almost three decades more before letter carrier service was introduced (in 1958) and people no longer made the daily trip for mail (and visits). Manitoba Telephone System erected their own building in 1929.
1930 - During the Depression the community faced chronic unemployment, railway layoffs, and many economic hardships. To provide employment to able-bodied men, Regent Avenue was paved as a “relief” project. The new cement highway was paved from Transcona to Winnipeg at a cost of $135,000
The Municipal Commissioner’s Levy for Transcona is $5,974.02
for 1930 but Council only agrees to pay $4,000.00.
Residents of South Transcona ask for a sidewalk in front of Fire Hall #2 located on Ashland south of Dugald Road. Ten - 2.5-gallon fire extinguishers are to be bought for use in South Transcona, 2 for the school, 3 for the east end and 5 for the west end. The fire extinguishers cost $13.75 each
A relief operator is to be hired for the Water Works Pumping Station. The job pays 40 cents per hour for the 12-hour shifts.
Teams attending fires are to be paid $5.00 for the first hour and $2.00 for the second hour.
A stop sign is to be placed on the west side of Bond and Pandora.
Council agrees to pay $27.50 for a one train trip to Calgary for an ex resident of Calgary and $5.50 for a one way train trip to Ninette Manitoba for a resident to seek treatment at the sanitarium there.
Fifty residents sign a petition against Council’s decision to allow a store to be built at Ravelston and Madeline.
A bus waiting room is established at the northwest corner of Regent and
Oxford (Day).
The Wanders Football Club has its playing field at Kildare East of Oxford (Day) reserved for that use by council.
The South Transcona water extension project is dropped due to the
declining financial situation of the town.
The Dominion Malting Company reports that its business is very slack and it can not hire any men to relieve the growing unemployment problem.
There are complaints that there are cattle running at large in the west end of
Transcona especially around Ravelston West.
School Block drive slowly signs are placed on Leola in front of the Roman
Catholic School.
A lease is signed between the town and the Transcona Golf Club for the lease of land on Dugald Road for a golf course.
Concrete sidewalks are to be built on the north side of Melrose between
Oxford and Kanata and on Oxford between Melrose and Regent.
Six hundred yards of gravel are to be spread on Nairn (Regent).
The Radio Oil and Gasoline Company announces plans for a gas station on
the southeast corner of Melrose and Bond.
All owners of rigs, wagons and trucks used in the collection of laundry must now pay a license fee.
A female stenographer’s salary is raised to $65.00 per month from $60.00.
The chief constable terminates the services of one of the police constables for misconduct.
The Transcona Pipe Band wins the Canadian Championship.
The roof of the Municipal Hall is to be repaired at a cost of $135.00. The
repairs to the roof of the Water Pumping Station cost $192.50.
A new constable is hired at $100.00 per month, there were 46 applicants for
the job.
Concrete sidewalks are advertised for
West side of Bond between Victoria and Rosseau- 744 feet
North side of Ravelston between Bond and Winona – 522 feet
East side of Leola between Victoria and Rosseau – 744 feet
North side of Victoria between Roanoke and Leola- 495 feet
The water rate charged by the Greater Winnipeg Water District rises to 4 cents
per 1000 gallons.
“A reliable man is to be hired for the fire hall”. He is to be in the fire hall from
6 PM to 6 AM. and he is to be paid $35.00 per month.
Progress is being made on the plans to build a hard surface road from Transcona to Winnipeg.
Transcona’s share of the unemployed relief fund is $90,000.00. Transcona share
is 20% or $18,000.00. The decision is made to use the money to pave Nairn (Regent), from Oxford to a point 2.25 miles west.
An acting town foreman is hired at 65 cents per day for 9 hours per day.
The paving of Regent Avenue is to cost $90,000.00, the federal and provincial governments will pay $36,000.00 each, Transcona $18,000.00. The sewer is to
be extended 300 feet further west on Regent before the pavement is put down.
1931 – Council asks the CNR for an additional passenger train to leave Winnipeg for Transcona at 10:15 PM daily except Sundays.
Council is told that the City of Winnipeg is sending a petition to the Federal Government asking that the day after Christmas be made a public holiday.
Price of lots for sale by the town
Lots west of Hoka except for Regent Avenue West - $40.00
Lots on Regent west of Hoka - $50.00
Lots on Regent from Winona to King with sewer and water - $150.00
Lots on Regent from Winona to King with either sewer or water - $100.00
Lots on King St. with sewer and water - $100.00
Lots on King St. with sewer only - $75.00
Lots on Pandora to north side of Ravelston between Hoka and King except for the
frontage on Regent and King - $50.00
Lots on the south side of Rosseau to north side of Whittier from Hoka to King -
$40.00
The contractor for the Bond St. sidewalk is given 24 hours to remove the large pile of manure from the sidewalk.
Rates of pay for men working on the construction of the pavement on Regent Avenue
Form-setter Foreman - $1.00 per hour
Form – setter helper – 45 cents per hour
Engineer in charge of 3 or more drum machines - $1.00 per hour
Engineer in charge of 2 or more drum machines - $1.00 per hour
Engineer in charge of a single drum machine – 95 cents per hour
Fireman First Class – 75 cents per hour
Fireman Second Class – 65 cents per hour
Concrete Finisher – 70 cents per hour
Carpenter - $1.10 per hour
Waterboy – 25 cents per hour
Labourers – 40 cents per hour
2-Horse Teams – 30 cents per hour
2-Horse Teams with Teamsters – 70 cents per hour
Truck and Driver 1.5 tons - $1.25 per hour
Truck and Driver above 1.5 tons - $1.50 per hour
There are complaints about the number of single men employed by the
sidewalk contractors, married men feel they should be hired first.
The low bid on the Regent Avenue paving come under budget, the winning
bid for the 20-foot wide paving comes to $67,994.30.
The registered unemployed in Transcona number 385 individuals, made up of
110 married men, 215 single men, 60 single women
A stop sign is to be placed at Winona and Regent and 2 stop signs are to
be placed at Bond and Regent.
Residents complain that a radio at 179 Yale Avenue East is a nuisance to the neighborhood because it is being played loudly at all times of the day and night.
The stop sign at Bond and Pandora is removed and relocated to the south
side of Regent and Madeline.
The erection of billboards is prohibited in certain parts of Transcona.
A housekeeper hired for a man whose wife has died is paid $30.00 per
month to keep up the house and look after 5 children.
An additional gas pump is to be installed at Holland Service Station at
30 Regent Avenue West.
All unemployed married men have now been given work at least once on
a rotating basis. Seventy single men on relief will be given work soon. Over 300
unemployed men have been registered; to receive relief every unemployed will have to work on work chosen by council. All single men on pavement construction will be paid a lower rate than married men, at a rate of 37.5 cents per hour regardless of the work involved.
The war memorial is planned for the east side of Oxford at Regent.
Four cases of scarlet fever are reported in Transcona.
The CNR Small Bore Rifle Revolver Association is given permission to operate a small shooting range.
Pandora, Oxford, Gunn Road, Regent and Superior Road are designated as highways. Being classified as highways means that all vehicles travelling on these roads must have lights.
Council is told that Transcona’s population is around 5700.
Transcona Taxi is given a license to operate throughout Transcona.
Pricing of some goods were as follows:
Apples were 25¢ for 7lbs.
Oranges were 23¢ for a dozen.
Butter cost 35¢ per lb.
A 7lbs bag of Red Rose Flour would cost at 35¢.
A 4lbs bag of sugar would run at 25¢ a bag.
A ½ lb of side bacon was 14¢.
A can of Campbell‟s Tomato Soup would cost 10¢.
Three packages of Kellogg‟s Cornflakes were only 25¢.
A Hip or Rump Roast Beef was sold at 10¢ per lb.
Pork Spare Ribs would be priced at 5¢ per lb.
Ten rolls of toilet rolls could be purchased for 25¢.
Toothpaste could be purchased for 25¢ each.
Buckley Cough Syrup was priced at 40¢ and 75¢.
Bayer‟s Aspirin sold for 19¢.
Men‟s Dress Oxford ranged in the price range of $3.99.
A Ladies‟ Flat Crepe Dress would cost $2.95
Ladies Step-In Pumps sold for $2.29.
A man‟s haircut at the Capitol Barbershop would cost 25¢.
An Adult admission to the Apollo Theatre cost 25¢.
A Child admission to the Apollo Theatre would cost 15¢.
Renting an apartment in the Queens Court Suite would start at $8.00/month.
To purchase a four room cottage (without the land) would cost $479.00
A Chesterfield Suit including a couch and an ottoman chair would cost $69.50.
A Moffat Electric Range with four burner would run around $109.50.
An All Felt twin mattress would start at $5.95
The asking price of a Used 1926 Chevrolet Sedan was $275.
The asking price of a Used 1929 Plymouth was $575.
An Oil and Car Greased would start at $1.80.
A one-year subscription, which included 52 issues, would cost $1.50
1932 - Transcona Taxi is given a license to operate throughout Transcona.
There are complaints about cows and horses being kept on Melrose Avenue East between Oxford and Kanata.
A Transcona Football Association is formed.
A new unused 1930 Chevrolet dump truck is purchased for $979.00.
The Chief Constable is to investigate all persons registered as unemployed.
The Transcona Unemployed Association is given the use of the park 2
Sundays per month during the summer months to raise funds for the unemployed.
The area directly east of the War Monument on Regent is be plowed up for
garden use.
One man on relief benefits is cut off from all benefits after he argues with a
foreman on a relief work project.
Grasshopper bait is to be laid out in ward 4 (South Transcona) because of
the large grasshopper problem.
A housekeeper looking after a family without a mother makes $15.00 per
month plus room and board.
A water trough for watering cattle is to be installed west of Hoka on
Whittier. The owners are to pay 50 cents per quarter for the water.
An owner of a herd of cattle is to be prosecuted for allowing his cattle to run
at large and graze on the west end of Dugald Road spoiling the ditches.
Four carpenters doing relief work in the Transcona Cemetery have all their
personally owned tools stolen. In all 29 tools are taken worth $139.78. After a debate when one councillor suggests that the carpenters should buy their own new tools or be replaced with carpenters who still have their own tools; council agrees to replace the stolen tools.
Skating rinks approved
Maple Leaf Hockey Club – south side of Whittier between Madeline and Winona
North End Club- north side of Thompson between Bond and Oxford Ajax Young Men’s Club – east side of Bond between Rosseau and Harvard
Ukrainian Farmer Labour Temple Association – north side of Regent between Wabasha and Roanoke.
A private bridge over the Dugald Ditch is stolen.
One ton of scrap iron pipes is purchased from the CNR for $5.60.
1933 - The town will pay local doctors $10.00 to attend women having babies
but only if they have them in their own homes, not in the hospital.
Transcona Bus Lines is given the contract to operate the Transcona Bus
Service.
Large snowdrifts, a snowplow, block Nairn and Regent and operator is
hired for $50.00 to clear the road.
Transcona School District # 39 asks council to provide scribblers and
pencils for children of unemployed parents. Council says this is a school board
responsibility but suggests they ask the Department of Education for money.
Residents are told it is their responsibility to cut weeds growing in thecenter of the street fronting their property.
A man living on relief in South Transcona says he can not work because his
wooden leg is in poor condition. He is told to get someone to go into the bush and cut him a new one.
CNR cuts the wages of their employees across the board.
The Morrow Block and the house next to it on Regent are to be torn
down because they are deemed to be unsafe. A rising number of buildings in Transcona are reported to be in a poor state of repair.
The Transcona Golf Club is given a 7-year lease on the property on Dugald Road, the rent is $25.00 per month.
Transcona impounds eight calves for running at large; the charge is $15.00. The farmer complains that the charges are too high as the 8 calves are only worth
a dollar apiece.
Transcona takes over 182 pieces of property for unpaid taxes.
1934 - The town asks the CNR to use seniority for the basis for hiring
mechanics. CNR has been hiring newly trained apprentices rather than rehiring laid off mechanics that have 10-15 years of service.
Five hundred feet of fire hose are purchased at $1.05 per foot.
The Transcona Branch of the Canadian Legion asks that people on relief
be allowed to earn $20.00 rather than $10.00 per month before relief benefits are reduced.
The Transcona Curling Club asks council to grant it a site for its curling
club and to exempt it from taxes.
Dogs must be kept under control and they are not allowed to run at large
between sunset and sunrise and from 9AM to 4 PM.
The Transcona Branch of the Canadian Legion proposes to build a curling
club along Oxford and Melrose
A bicycle is purchased for the Police Department.
A caretaker is hired for the Transcona Cemetery for 4 months at $10.00 per
month.
Crescent Show Ltd are given permission to hold a one-week fair on property
on the east side of Wabasha north of Crescent Road. The fair is to have 2 Ferris Wheels, one merry-go –around; one merry mix up, four sideshows and one cook house. The show has seventy employees for which council charges a license fee of $25.00.
Those who use vacant lots for garden purposes must pay 50 cents per year.
Dogs are to be tied up between 8 AM and 8 PM. All dogs must be on a
lease while on the streets.
1935 – Council asks the CNR for the right to use the midway of the CNR Yard
for the travel of Doctor’s vehicles and Fire Equipment to emergencies in South
Transcona.
New License Fees for cows
1 cow - $1.00
2 cows - $2.00
3 cows - $5.00
Over 3 cows - $10.00
Salaries:
Chief Constable - $155.00 per month
Deputy Chief - $120.00 per month
License and Building Inspector - $120.00 per month
Experienced Constable – $115.00 per month
New Constable - $80.00 per month
New Constable after 2 years - $100.00 per month
Auxiliary Fireman - $30.00 per month
The Vimy Block is to be demolished by the town.
A score box is to be placed in the ballpark. Imperial Tobacco Company is
given the exclusive privileges on the grounds in conjunction with advertising for tobacco, cigars and cigarettes.
Transcona population is 5300 and there are 750 sewer connections.
The North American Lumber and Supply Company is ordered to close
down its wood yard at the northwest corner of Bond and Victoria.
1936 – The estimated expenditures for Transcona for 1936 are $219,088.00.
Transcona is to celebrate its silver anniversary in June 1936.
Transcona’s Silver Jubilee Celebrations are take place June 22-27 1936.
Events scheduled include a parade, sports events, and a series of one-act plays put on by the dramatic societies. The Salvation Army Band is to put on a Band Concert during the afternoon along with the Junior Band of the Salvation Army.
Special Lights are to be installed on Regent for the Jubilee Celebrations.
A booklet is being printed for the Silver Jubilee Celebrations.
The Moonlight Train to Grand Beach is to stop 2 nights a week atTranscona, Thursday and Friday nights are the nights chosen.
Two arches are being built for the Silver Jubilee Celebration, one at the westend of town and one at the east end of the Park.
Volunteer Firemen are now to be paid 75 cents per hour.
Eleven boys are arrested for loitering after they refuse to go home after
being told to do so by a police constable. As they are being led away a crowd of young people challenges the police and try to prevent their arrest. Stones are thrown at the police, store windows are broken and some looting occurs.
1937 – The Town of Transcona goes on record in opposing Daylight Saving Time but agrees to go on it to avoid confusion with neighboring communities. Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday May 16 1937 at 12 Midnight and lasts until Midnight September 26
Council approves of St. George Anglican Church’s plans to hold a winter ice carnival known as the Transcona Winter Ice Carnival.
A Public Health Nurse is appointed for the town.
1938 – The Transcona Theatre is to install panic locks and to make occasional announcements advising the proper way to reach the exits in case of fire.
Transcona votes in favour of raising the provincial minimum wage to 40 cents per hour.
A sanitary toilet is purchased for the South Transcona Fire Hall.
A large petition of 1300 residents ask the Provincial Government to set up
a liquor store in Transcona.
Approval is granted to build a roadhouse or cabaret on the south side of
Regent on the west side of the Grand Beach Tracks. They are given a 25 year lease, exclusive operating franchise to operate all days including Sundays and holidays.
The province turns down a liquor store for Transcona because it is not
economically feasible.
The South Transcona Fire Hall is sold to the Transcona Curling Club for the
purpose of erecting a curling rink on the north side.
The bridge from Wayoata to Pandora is reported to be a complete wreck
with parts of it missing taken by persons unknown.
Transcona is awarded the Birks-Dingwall Shield for 1938 for the best maintained
roads by the Manitoba Good Roads Association.
1939 – The T. Eaton Company is to close their store in Transcona. The main
reason is that it is not suitable for the handling of food.
1940 – There are complaints from area residents of excessive noise coming from
the Maple Leaf Club’s ice rink caused by music being played by a gramophone.
The Winnipeg Electric Company is to have 40 seat passenger buses operating
on Saturdays instead of 25 seat buses.
A resident asks council to stop children from making any noise at hockey
games at the Pirate’s Skating Rink.
Council is told that the sidewalk along the Palma Hotel at Bond and Pandora is sinking.
Safeway announces plans to build a grocery store in Transcona.
A reward of $25.00 is offered to anyone giving information leading to the
conviction of persons entering the gravel permit without permission and stealing gravel.
Concrete Sidewalks are to be built on
1. East side of Bond from Harvard to Rosseau
2. South side of Yale from Bond to Winona
3. South side of Harvard from Oxford to Bond
4. South side of Yale from Roanoke to Leola
5. South side of Regent from Kanata to Wabasha
Residents ask that Transcona men be hired for the Cordite Plant under
construction.
Power lines are being constructed on the east side of Redonda and on
the south side of Kildare between Redonda and Ravenhurst to supply power
to the Cordite Plant east of Transcona.
Telephones are to be installed in the homes in of the 3 constables at
town expense.
The British and Canadian government invested 20 million dollars in the construction of “The Cordite Plant” in 1940. Completed in 1941 with its own hospital, staff quarters, and electric generators, this facility employed over 2,460 people to manufacture cordite, a highly explosive material made with Nitro Glycerin.
The Canadian Bank of Commerce occupied the corner, at 200 Regent Avenue West as early as 1915. When CBC left Transcona in 1940, the building was purchased by the Bank of Toronto
1941 – Moore’s Taxi Company takes out a license to operate in Transcona. Its
office will be located at the Imperial Oil Station at Regent and Oxford.
An illegal bar and bawdyhouse at the corner of Kildare and Redonda is
shut down after “immoral activities” are found to be occurring there. The woman
conducting the “activities” is a Miss Bowering from East Kildonan known to police there. Men from the CNR Shops and the newly opened Cordite Plant are found to be frequenting the farmhouse on a regular basis even during Sunday Church time.
The Palma Hotel is to be equipped with a fire escape.
Two films are to be shown in Transcona with 20% of the gross receipts
going to the Lord Mayor of London’s Fund for air raid victims. The two films
are “Hitler the Beast of Berlin” AND “The Warning”.
The Winnipeg Electric Company tells council that their bus servicebetween
Winnipeg and Transcona will end as of May 1 1941. They tell council that the
service has been losing money for years. The White Ribbon Bus Company is
to pick up the extra load; the cost for adults is 10 cents one way.
Cattle owners on Nairn (Regent) are told not to allow their cattle on the
right-of-way.
Oxford (Day) from Regent to Pandora, Pandora to Superior and Dugald are
to be gravelled and oiled to handle the great increase in traffic from the Cordite Plant.
A car driving down the sidewalk in front of Central School hits a child.
1942 – Council wants Regent Ave extended eastward to the Cordite Plant in
Springfield but the Federal Government doesn’t want Regent extended.
All cattle in Transcona are to be tested for TB.
The Police Office is broken into, equipment and $430.50 is taken.
Concrete sidewalks are to be built at a cost of 90 cents per linear foot on the
East side of Winona between Yale and Ravelston
South side of Ravelston between Oxford and the lane
North side of Regent between Winona and Madeline
North side of Pandora between Wabasha and Leola
North side of Pandora between Winona and Madeline
South side of Regent between Roanoke and Leola
North side of Yale between Oxford and Kanata
West side of Madeline between Ravelston and Rosseau
Cemetery plots in the Transcona Cemetery cost $40.00
The Transcona flag is to be lowered to half-mast on the news ofdeaths
among Transcona residents in the armed forces.
1943 – Victory Gardens are to be established in Transcona.
An Air Cadet Squadron is to be formed at Central School.
Twenty-five new street signs are to be placed on Leola, Oxford, Bond
andRegent. The signs are to be placed in cement and cost $3.25 each.
New ditches are to be dug to drain South Transcona.
1944 – Council reserves a lot for the new Transcona United Church Building.
Transcona’s population is now 5,231.
The rain pipe is to be removed from between the theatre and the Safeway
Store as the water pours onto the sidewalk.
The Canadian Legion tells council that the Decoration Day Parade will be
held on June 18 1944. The parade is to start from the Legion, then east to Kanata, north to Ravelston, west on Ravelston to Madeline then south to Regent and the Cenotaph.
The owner of a miniature bowling alley with 4 lanes asks for a reduction in
his license fee.
Council asks the CNR to stop the practice of blowing their shop train whistle
at the shop gate, as it is very annoying to residents.
A town constable is suspended but not fired after he is drunk and is
involved in a fight at the Legion Hall. He is off duty at the time but the on duty police constable had to be called to break up the fight. The drunken officer is taken to the Police Office to sober up and is warned he could be fired for the incident. Seeing a town councillor at the Police Station he throws the councillor to a desk and says “ I will kill you, you little bastard”.
A Victory Day Celebration Committee is formed to arrange for a day of celebration when the war ends.
The Zephyr Club, the recreational club of the CNR Car Department is denied the right to hold a Bingo because Bingo is gambling and all gambling is illegal.
1945 – Serious flooding occurs in the western and southern part of Transcona.
A tag day is held in support of Mosquito Control.
The previously suspended police constable is fired after he again is drunk
and gets into a fight with a group of men at the Palma Café. He is again off
duty when he gets into a fight. He has a black eye, his face is swollen and he has boot marks on his face. He tells the arriving officer that “the bohunks were trying to kick the shit out of him but they can’t do it”.
There is a considerable dog nuisance within town as many dogs are running at
large and barking at night.
North American Lumber and Supply tells council that coal is being stolen
from their yard and then the coal is being sold to residents at half their price undermining their business by forcing them to compete with their own stolen coal.
Gasoline Service Stations must now close at 7 PM, and they can not open
before 5 AM. Monday through Saturday. All stations must remain closed on
Sundays.
The “Cordite Plant” or the Defense Industries Limited as it was officially called was shut down March 7, 1945. The city of Transcona wanted to convert the plant for “civilian use” such as a dairy plant. The government wanted no trace of the site and took down all 230 buildings using some of the lumber to build 72 houses for returning vets.
1946 – Lots are turned over for the construction of 25 additional houses for
returned servicemen.
Transcona is told that they will receive an automatic telephone system
early in 1947. Council is told that if the 5-cent toll were removed for Transcona-
Winnipeg calls the monthly rate would have to rise to $3.00 per month.
The town budget for 1946 is $126,388.42 not including the school
districts.
Council is told that there were 11 fires in Transcona in April 1946. This is
an unusually high number.
Council is told that much vandalism has taken place in the Park. Shingles
have been torn off the Bandstand Roof, the back rail has been broken and 2
of the park benches have been wrecked.
1947 – The employees of the White Ribbon Bus Company go on strike cutting
off bus service to Transcona. An increase of 10 cents per hour to the workers ends the strike. Bus fares are raised to pay for the increase, the fare is now 15 cents one way or 25 cents return. Workmen weekly bus tickets cost 10 cents a ride. Children’s bus tickets cost 7.5 cents each but now the children’s ticket is only good for children 14 and younger instead of 16 and younger.
A resident complains that a $2.00 per year increase in his property taxes is
far too high.
A minute silence is observed for the victim’s of the train wreck at Dugald
Manitoba. The flag is flown at half-mast on September 9 1947.
Transcona considers setting up a Parks Board.
The speed limit on Regent from Panet Road to the built up area is 50 mph.
The price of plots in the Transcona Cemetery is 60 cents per square foot. The verage adult grave requires 32 square feet so $19.20 is the standard price.
1948 – The Ukrainian Catholic Church announces its plans to build a new
$30,000.00 to $40,000.00 hall.
Sale price of wartime housing
4-room houses - $3600.00
5–room houses - $4600.00
A down payment of 10% is required and the remaining payments are to be made over 25 years
The Royal George Hotel is to be remodeled.
The Pirates Skating Club is to erect a permanent building on their property.
Transcona telephone users are to receive 5 free phone calls per month and
free hospital calls.
Sidewalks to be built include
Melrose Avenue East between Wabasha and Roanoke
Ravelston Ave East between Park Circle and Roanoke
Park Circle between Ravelston and Yale
Six benches in the Park are set alight.
The City of Winnipeg considers paving Nairn Ave to the Transcona
boundary.
There are complaints of rats living in the Regent Ave Sewer.
The owners of the dry cleaning plant on Regent Ave West are given 30 days
to complete their building.
The Bandstand at the Park is to be repaired again after being vandalized
once again.
The CNR appeals council’s decision to include them in the taxassessment
area making them obligated to pay property taxes.
The Maple Leaf Club is officially organized.
The inaugural meeting of the Transcona Parks Board is held.
The People’s Bakery in Transcona is declared to be unsanitary and is
ordered closed by the Health Inspector.
1949 - E.J. Casey’s Shows is given permission to operate a fair in Transcona for
3 days in May 1949.
Robert Drugstores is commended for placing a 30-gallon drum in front of its
store on Regent for garbage.
One-hour parking limits are placed on Regent between Winona and Oxford
and on the east side of Bond between Pandora and Victoria. Two-hour parking limits are placed on "Devil Strip" on Regent West between Oxford and Winona.
The CNR is to pay $100,000.00 in property taxes over 4 years, $25,000.00
per year.
A grocery store is to be built at Madeline and Harvard.
A movie theatre is to be built at the southeast corner of Victoria and Oxford
South Transcona School is ordered to be closed until the brick veneers
repaired, it is bulging out 10 inches.
Transcona Bolwing Alley is charged for being open on Sundays, the Lord's
Days Alliance doesn't want the Recreation Center open on Sunday's either.
1950 – Transcona’s population is now estimated to be 7000.
The Transcona Taxi Company begins operations with one car, permission
for a second care is asked of the Municipal and Public Utility Board.
The East End Athletic Association asks for council’s permission to
sponsor the EJ Casey Shows.
There are complaints that a resident of 423 Pandora East is throwing slop
and human waste into the backlane.
Transcona’s budget reaches an all time high of $253,304.52.
A Police Constable is suspended for damaging the cruiser car on Whittier
Avenue East when he got stuck. He then damaged the Health Department Truck when he tried pulling out the cruiser car. He is also accused of associated with gamblers and giving information to gamblers that a police raid was coming.
Council purchases a 6 ton truck for $3164.00.
There are complaints that a resident of 423 Pandora E is throwing slop and human waste into the backlane.
A 1948 used 2 ton truck is purchased for $1000.00.
The Poundkeeper is given one month’s notice as he is seen by council as being too old to carry out his duties.
A Police Constable is suspended for damaging the cruiser car on Whittier Avenue East when he got stuck. He then damaged the Health Department Truck when he tried pulling out the cruiser car. He is also accused of associating with gamblers and giving information to gamblers that a police raid was coming.
The suspended police constable is fired after he is found to have taken
money to alert Transcona gamblers of police actions in advance.
Transcona is not threatened by floodwaters in the 1950 flood but plays a large support role for the flooded areas. A special Transcona Flood Emergency
Organization is formed. Transcona loans 3 trucks, other equipment and men to St.
Boniface. Extra food supplies are ordered by Canada Safeway and stored in boxcars in the CNR Yards. Transcona residents supply food, cigarettes, hip waders and thermoses to the flooded areas. Over 300 Transcona residents report to St. Boniface for building dikes. Transcona offers shelter to 568 flood refuges, 336 adults, 232 children; preference is given to CNR employees working in the Transcona Shops. Evacuees are billeted in private homes and in the Castle Hall over the Red and White Store on Regent. Friends and family members take in 317 individuals. St. Michael’s Parish Hall at Oxford and Regent becomes a location to feed the refuges.
A new police constable is hired at $185.00 per month.
A child dies in a fire at 421 Melrose Avenue East. Firemen find the 2 closest fire hydrants out of order and discover low water pressure in other hydrants. An investigation finds that the child was dead before the firemen arrived but council orders all fire hydrants in Transcona to be checked and repaired if found to be faulty.
A ladies restroom is to be constructed in the basement of the Tax Office on Pandora.
A theatre is to be built on Regent Avenue West.
1951 – Castle Hall reported to be in an unsafe condition, dancing in the hall is now forbidden as only meetings can be held there now.
A constable is hired at $185.00 per month.
The speed limit for trucks on Dugald Road is 25 mph; the speed limit for cars is 30 mph.Population - 6700.Carl A. Venn is manager of The Bank of Toronto, 200 Regent Avenue West, Transcona, Manitoba from January 2, 1951 to November 23, 1953
A concert is to be held in the Park every Wednesday night during August 1951. Council makes sure an uniformed police officer is there all 5 nights to keep order.
Fare changes for the White Ribbon Bus Company.
Adult weekly ticket 14 rides for $1.50
Adult single fare – 25 cents
Adult return fare – 35 cents
Children single fare – 10 cents
Children 3 tickets for – 25 cents
1952 – Salaries
Heavy duty Patrol Operator - $1.26 per hour
ater Utility man - $1.20 per hour
Public Work employee - $1.15 per hour
Temporary Labourer - $1.00 per hour
Garbage man - $1.20 per hour
Garbage man’s helper - $1.00 per hour
The police are asked to protect people at the Apollo Theatre when it becomes overcrowded.
New uniforms are purchased for the Police Department
Tunics and Trousers - $67.95 each
Boots - $15.95 per pair
Shirts - $3.00 each
Ties – 60 cents each
Caps - $5.50 each
Pea jackets - $34.00 eachThe Winnipeg Electric Company is to erect electrical poles on McMeans and Winona for a new housing project.The White Ribbon Bus Lines passenger shelter at King (Plessis) andRegent is to be repaired after damages caused by vandals.A grass fire is reported at the Transcona Cemetery.Residents complain that someone has taken the wooden planks torn up from the Edward Avenue sidewalk that were reserved for a resident on welfare.Juveniles caught riding on the sidewalks have their bicycles impounded for2 weeks.The Pirate Skating and Community Club is given permission to enlarge its skating rink to 90 feet by 194 feet.Transcona Speed Skating Club’s clubroom on Victoria Avenue west of Madeline is partially destroyed by fire.Transcona Scouts and Cubs are given permission to erect a clubhouse on Pandora Avenue West.A public appeal is made to build a baseball stadium on Kildare Avenue.The garbageman’s helper salary is raised to $1.15 per hour.
1953 – A drive-in theatre is to be built on Regent Avenue West.The speed limit on Regent Avenue west of King is to be increased to 40mph.Residents are told that they will vote on March 10 1953 on whether Griffin Steel Foundries should be given a flat assessment for tax purposes from 1954 to1963 in order for them to set up a plant in Transcona.Council is to purchase a new cruiser car for $2396.71 minus the trade in of the 1951 vehicle; after the trade in the cost is only $750.00.Leon’s Meats is to move from 137 Regent Avenue West to 301 Regent Avenue West.All town owned 27-foot lots are offered to adjacent property owners for $1.00 except for corner lots.A new sidewalk snowplow is purchased for $4400.00 minus a $1600.00 trade in of the old snowplow.J.G. Bilodeau is appointed the Chief of Police, Fire Chief, Health Inspector, Building Inspector, License Inspector and Relief Officer at $315.00 per month.Council is told that town employees are taking coffee breaks, which they are not entitled to.The Drive-In Theatre is to pay a license fee of $100.00 plus $1.00 for each car they receiver per year.The sidewalks are now under construction to serve Westview School.
The official opening of Westview School takes place on November 6 1953.. See more information here
1954 – Transcona is told it is next in line for a liquor store.
Princess Auto is given permission to operate a business dismantling old
wrecked cars on land east of Panet Road.
Winnipeg tells Transcona that it will not take in any patients unless it
guarantees a daily rate of $6.50 per day.The stadium site on Kildare Avenue East is formerly turned over to the Parks Board
Transcona’s population is now 7200.The Air Raid Siren accidentally sounds due to a short circuit.A Drive-In Ice Cream stand is approved for Regent Avenue.A 4-suite apartment block is to be built on the south side of Regent between Bond and Winona.The cenotaph is to be moved at a cost of $400.00.The first five mailboxes are placed on the street corners in town.A fire is set in one of the mailboxes.Manitoba Telephone System is asked to install a phone booth at Regent and Winona.Midway Auto Wrecking Company is given permission to establish a wrecking yard south of the CNR Tracks and east of Highway 59.
1955 - New signs were placed at Dugald and King Street, Regent and Hwy 59 (Panet Road), and Dugald and Superior (close to the Cemetery) celebrating Transcona‟s population as “8,000 happy people.”
A lumberyard is to be established on the east side of Birds Hill Road(Highway 59).
The CNR and Transcona are to share fire equipment during emergencysituations. Fire equipment can travel either way through the Shop Gates without stopping.
A resident complains that the Chief of Police and 3 plain-clothesdetectives walked into his home without knocking and without a search warrant.
A snack bar is to be erected at the northwest corner of King (Plessis) and Dugald.
The Fire Hall and Public Works Garage on Victoria at Yale is to be sold for$30,000.00 to Ensign Stores to erect a Shop Easy Grocery Store.A service station is to be constructed at the corner of Regent and Plessis.
Council turns down the request of Winnipeg to participate in the Disraeli Bridge project because it feels it is of no benefit to Transcona.
1956 – A resident asks for $150.00 to repair the damage caused by the
apprehension of a criminal by the Police Department.
One of the volunteer firemen will be called to pick up the other firemen and take them to the Fire Hall or to the scene of the fire.
Council is told unofficially, that as the population is now near 10,000, door to door mail delivery will likely be instituted within the year.
D & S Carburetor and Ignition Laboratory is to construct a building atthe northeast corner of Pandora and Madeline.A waterline is to be constructed on Kildare Avenue West between Oxford and Winona.
Farmer’s Service Station is ordered to stop washing cars on its property.
Police Uniform costs21 shirts - $3.50 each14 black ties – 80 cents each3 muskrat hats - $18.00 each14 black leather lined gloves - $2.65 each7-2 piece blue serge uniforms - $42.50 each5 full length winter coats - $42.50 each7 pair summer tropical trousers - $15.00 per pair.7 pair leather lined police boots - $11.85 per pair7 gabardine clothe topcoats - $36.50 eachMaple Leaf Community Club is given permission to build a wading pool.
A cashier in the Tax Office is to be hired for $175.00 per month.
The Royal Bank is to build a bank and store on the south side of Regent between Bond and Oxford.A meeting is held to discuss building a library in Transcona.
All members of the Police Department will be required to attend the City of Winnipeg Police Training School.
1957 – A store at 301 Regent Avenue West is fined for selling groceries on
Sunday.
Council is told that there are 15 retarded children attending school in School District # 39. Council decides to spend $1200.00 to send these children to school in the next school year to the Kinsmen “Retard” School in Winnipeg. The school district feels it should only be teaching “normal” children not “mental defectives”.
A mechanic is hired at $1.45 per hour.A resident receives a bounty of $15.00 for killing 3 coyotes in Transcona.
Residents are told to install mailboxes because 90% of homes must have them before door to door mail delivery can begin.Appliance stores are allowed to remain open one night a week until 9:00PM.Council approves plans for an addition to Westview School.The Knights of Columbus are to build a new hall on the south side of Rosseau.New store classificationsBuilding and Lumber Supplies:North American Lumber and Supply Company Ltd Dominion Lumber and Fuel Company South Side Lumber and Building SuppliesButcher Shop:Transcona Quick FreezeDepartment Stores:Transcona Merchant Ltd J. Blostein & SonClothing: Berkal Tailors Hrynkow Dress ShopJ ack’s Fashion Shop Walker’s Men’s Wear Dressmaking Shop: Nell’s Variety ShopDry Goods: Max KatzDrug Stores:Robert’s Drug Store Ltd Still’s Drug Store Electrical Shop: C. R. NotleyHardware: J. G. Cochran Regent Hardware Jewelry Stores: Regent Gift Shop A. Muruca Shoe Store: N. Homeniuk Shoe Repair: Dan’s Shoe Repair A. GrandeThe Kinsmen Club make a proposal to build a swimming pool.Krahn Homes is to build homes on the south side of Kildare and the north sideof Whittier from Leola to Wayoata.
Fluoride is to be added to the water supply.
Residents are told to install mailboxes because 90% of homes must have them before door to door mail delivery can begin.A resident of Melrose Avenue east of Leola complains that people are stopping their car in front of her residence and drinking liquor.A public library is to be built after it receives the approval of the voters.
1958 – The official opening of the Transcona Library is June 7 1955.
The Kinsmen Swimming Pool is to be erected east of the stadium on Kildare Avenue East. The Transcona Broadcasting Company applies for a license to operate a radio station in Transcona.
The Kiwanis Club of Transcona was granted its Charter. The Transcona Library Budget for 1958 is $8800.00.A $1,000,000.00 shopping centre is to be built on land bought from Model Homes.School District # 39 asks that land be set aside for a school (MargaretUnderhill).There are complaints about the vast amount of black smoke coming from the CNR Chimney.Central School is to be renovated for $40,000.00Large street paving is to take place in Transcona the cost is $401,551.91.The rates charged to local residents, as local improvement charges are $8.25 per foot for a 24-foot wide pavement and $10.71 per foot for a 30-foot wide pavement. The payments can be made over 10 years, the charge for a 24 foot wide pavement is $1.10 per foot per year, the charge for a 30 foot wide pavement is $1.43 per foot per year.The Kinsmen Swimming Pool is to be erected east of the stadium on KildareAvenue East.A bicycle repair shop is approved for the rear of 221 Regent Avenue East.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is given permission to build a new churchA Drive-In Restaurant is under construction on King Street north ofTranscona Motors.The owner of Regent Hardware at 129 Regent Avenue East complains about the parking problems in front of his store.All streets south of Kildare between Bond and Hoka are to be paved.
1959 – An A & W Drive-In Restaurant is to be built near the intersection of Regent and Birds Hill Road (Panet).Jack & Esther’s Restaurant is given permission to hold dances on Saturday nights from 8 PM to Midnight.
Transcona Curling Club is to construct a new building at 204 Oxford.
The construction of the Regent Park Shopping Centre is to begun soon.Water is shut off at the Victoria Cleaners because of hazardousconditions in the plant.Street name changesAshland to RennieCampbell to FullerFourth to MicklinHoward to ReidLorette to ShannonMaple to PeakeMulvey to GoodyearParker to McGibbonQueen to RobsonRoyal to MorozSecond to TaggardStafford to LarcheStuart to MaxwellThird to PitreWatt to KernaghanWestgate to BaxterRegent Avenue South Side to WebsterCouncil is told by the Metropolitan Planning Commission that Shannon, McGibbon and Maxwell can not be used as streets names because these names already exist in Greater Winnipeg.A 4-suite apartment block is to be built at Melrose and Hoka.
High School students are now part of the new Transcona-Springfield School Division # 12. The Division levies $95,813.00 on the ratepayers of Transcona.Permission is granted to erect a motor hotel at the southeast corner of Regent and Birds Hill Road (Panet).The owners of the Drive-In Theatre (Starlight) are asked to provide to provide officers for traffic control.The dwelling at 224 Regent Ave West is to be used as a medical office.
A triple combination fire truck consisting of a pumping engine, ladder and tank is purchased for $19,920.00.The Transcona Public Library makes a proposal to build a library building on Rosseau east of Oxford.Severe flooding occurs in South Transcona.
Regent Park School is now open.
1960 - The Kiwanis Club of Transcona undertook a special project of great magnitude: to acquire the historic CNR locomotive "No. 2747" as a permanent exhibit for present and future citizens of Transcona. The club surveyed an area in the west end of Transcona along Kildare Avenue, King Street (since renamed as Plessis Road), and the CNR Beach Track. To compliment the historic "No. 2747" exhibit, development plans for the park included a wading pool, climbing tree, slide, swings, monkey bars, teeter-totter, merry go-round, railroad tie pyramid, culvert tunnels, a wishing well, picnic tables, trees, green space, and a parking lot for 18 cars. "What made the "No. 2747 so special and why did the Kiwanis Club want it?" Well, the "No. 2747" as it was known, was the first steam locomotive ever built in western Canada for any railroad and perhaps of even greater significance (at least to locals) it was completely built in Transcona at the CNR Shops by Transcona people. In fact, the famed "No. 2747" was the first of 38 steam locomotives produced in the Transcona Shops between 1926 and 1938.
A lot has changed too: the Town / City of Transcona no longer exist and neither does the Kiwanis Club of Transcona for that matter. And while the City of Winnipeg no longer owns the locomotive (the Winnipeg Railway Museum owns it now) the City still maintains the park for the use of all residents and tourists to enjoy. Recently, there have been some discussions regarding the question what to do with the "CN 2747"? Yes, it is in a deteriorating condition and it does require restoration and will need protection. While the past does not predict the future, taking a look back to the year 1960 helps answer the question of how and why we got the CNR Locomotive No. 2747 in the first place. Hopefully, having this understanding will help concerned citizens in our community answer the next very important question "what about it‟s future?"
Service stations are given the power to set their own hours of operation.
Residents are requested to disconnect their eavetroughs from the sanitary
sewers to prevent sewer backup.
A reward of $25.00 is offered leading to the arrest of anyone damaging or
defacing street signs.
The Transcona Kinsmen Club is to operate and maintain the swimming
pool under construction.
J. G. Bilodeau is promoted to the new position of Fire and Safety
Commissioner. J. Teres is appointed as the new Police and Fire Chief.
A resident complains that Bingo being played 7 days a week is destroying
fundraising for sports. He asks council to outlaw all Bingo games. If council is not
willing to do this he suggests that craps games should be played on Regent Avenue in aid of the Stadium Fund.
Robert’s Drug Store is to be expanded.
Regent Park Shopping Centre under construction is to have 22
businesses.
Transcona resident Bernie Wolfe is elected a Metro Councillor, he
represents Transcona, Elmwood and the southern portion of East Kildonan.
1961 - Transcona had 13,000 citizens and was granted its City Charter. Transcona celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1961.
Kiwanis Park was created as the Transcona Jubilee project of 1961, thanks to the special efforts of all Kiwanis members including Thomas F. Copeland, the Mayor of Transcona. The Canadian National Railway donated the No. 2747 Locomotive to the City of Transcona a symbol of appreciation for the support from the community.
The new Canada Safeway Store in the Regent Park Shopping Centre
asks council for permission to remain open until 9 PM during its opening week.
Transcona asks the Manitoba Legislature to pass a bill making the
Town of Transcona the City of Transcona.
Transcona is to replace 120 old manhole covers at a cost of $2000.00.
Metro Transit is asked to take over the White Ribbon Bus Line.
Council is presented with a plaque by the Manitoba Safety Division for
Transcona having no fatal accidents in 1960.
Pony rides are to be offered for a period of 6 months in the area of Regent
close to the Starlight Drive-In.
Transcona is now a city, councillors are now called aldermen.
The old Oxford Heights Community Club Building is being torn down. The
club is given new land and a new community club building is to be erected.
A resident tells council he is taking legal action against Transcona for
contracting a bad case of poison ivy from the boulevard in front of his house.
Council is outraged with a sign on the property of the Titan Trucking
Terminal at 1180 Nairn Avenue on the Winnipeg side of the Winnipeg-Transcona
boundary. The sign says this is the East-West Berlin Fence, Buy Canada Saving Bonds. Transcona lies to the east of the fence sign and is assumed to be East Berlin by some. Council finds it insulting to be considered as “Communist East Berlin”. Council feels this will lead to a reduction in the sale of Canadian Saving Bonds by Transcona residents.
A civil defense warning siren is being erected on the east side of
McFadden at Dugald Road.
East End Community Club is to construct a new clubhouse.
1962 - Four hundred Elm trees are purchased at a cost of $1.25 each.
The Garden Apartments are built in Kern Park over the opposition of
Council.
Transcona-Springfield School Division asks for council’s approval to build a
new collegiate at Redonda and Kildare.
Pro-Putt Miniature Golf Course is to open just north of the A & W Drive-In near Regent and Panet Road.
Council is told that the start of the floodway construction will begin
shortly.
Regent Avenue West is now a 4-lane highway. The official opening
ceremonies take place October 22 1962 at 8 PM at King and Plessis.
1963 - The price of plots in the Transcona Cemetery increases to $1.50 per
square foot from 80 cents per square foot. The average grave requires 32 square feet.
The mayor now makes $200.00 per month.
The Cordite Ditch is to be closed and filled in within the boundaries of Transcona.
Transcona asks Metro Council to rename Oxford Street, Day Street instead of Midway.
Gasoline is purchased for city vehicles at 18.5 cents per gallon. Diesel is
purchased at 19.9 cents per gallon.
A new service station is to be constructed at the southwest corner of
Regent and Plessis.
Satellite skating rinks are to be constructed on the Radisson School
Grounds and at a location in the West End.
A resident complains about the $20.00 license fee for female dogs.
1966 - The slogan “The Park City” was officially adopted through a motion passed by Mayor Harry Fuller and Alderman C.J. Perry, Paul E. Martin, William Dzyndra, and M. Sharpe. The motion stated, “that the words „Park City‟ would be included on all letterhead”. A few months later, as part of a campaign to further promote Transcona‟s park-like image, the Transcona Post Office provided the City administration with a postage tape bearing the official slogan “The Park City”.
1968 - The official opening of the Transcona Historical Museum took place. About one hundred guests were on hand to attend the opening ceremonies. In 1970, expansion of library services, together with the growth of the museum necessitated relocation to a larger area. The decision was made to set aside space in the Roland Mitchener Arena at 1131 Wabasha Street to house museum collections. After months of tremendous effort by dedicated community members, The Transcona Historical Museum re-opened on Wednesday, March 22, 1972 in the basement of the newly constructed recreation centre. By 1979, the Museum was again in search of a new home – one that provided greater accessibility and space for museum collections and exhibits. At this same time, the old Transcona Municipal Office at 141 Regent Avenue West, which was originally built in 1925 by the former Bank of Toronto, was designated a Class III Historic Building by the City of Winnipeg. Little time was wasted in assigning this heritage building as Transcona Historical Museum‟s new and final residence. After a second major move, the Museum officially opened its doors on Sunday, June 25, 1983 at its current location.
1970 - Redonda Street Park was renamed Crocus Park, Manitoba‟s provincial flower, as part of Manitoba Centennial Celebrations. Crocus Park is situated on a former municipal landfill site. Between 1911 and 1920, the Town of Transcona built a garbage incinerator on the site at a cost of $25,000. While the incinerator was never fired, teenagers dared each other to climb the old ladder inside the smokestack.
1972 - The City of Transcona existed until January 1, 1972 when it was amalgamated with the City of Winnipeg.Today, Transcona is a large urban community in the City of Winnipeg with a population of approximately 40,000 people.
1973 - L’Arche became part of the community of Transcona since 1973 with its first home located on Rosseau Avenue. L’Arche now has six homes, two independent living suites and a local office.
1980 - Kildonan Place Mall opens September 24, with over 90 stores. we’re still going strong today with over 100 shops and services, and are a vital part of the Transcona retail hub.
2000 - The Transcona Historical Museum dedicated a Book of Honour naming all known sons and daughters of Transcona who enlisted and served in World War II. It is on permanent display in the Transcona Historical Museum.
If anyone has any other information please contact the website and we will gladly put more tidbits up on this page.
