by Fred Morris
23 April 2022, updated May 2026
In the 1907 Henderson Directory, Douglas Street running between Portage Avenue and Assiniboine Avenue is listed. In the 1909 Henderson Directory, the first residents listed were Peter Sinclair, Horace Weldon, Charles Parker, and Henry Cotter. In the 1913 Henderson, the street is referred to for the first time as Douglas Park Road. In 1941, St. James Council rejected a proposal to extend Douglas Park Road north by renaming Sackville Street. Research revealed conflicting views about the naming of the street. A 20 November 1941 Winnipeg Tribune story states that the street was named after William Douglas Lane, an HBC Trader (1819-1882). The 1974 Mosaic of Winnipeg Street Names states that the street was named after Thomas Douglas the Earl of Selkirk (1771-1820).
Horace Weldon operated a downtown grocery Store at 383 Portage Avenue, the current location of Portage Place. A very positive review of the store appeared in the 25 September 1915 Winnipeg Tribune. It is exactly where many people are hoping for a Portage Place grocery store. Daughter Kathleen Weldon taught various elementary grades at Linwood School during an education career that spanned six decades.
In 1935, Maurice Thompson came to Winnipeg to work for his father at Birt Saddlery. Maurice soon became President and owner. In the early 1980s, his daughter Susan Thompson took over the business. For almost half a century, Maurice and Eleanor hosted the Victoria Day Douglas Park Bonfire and Fireworks. Between 1992 and 1998, Susan was the first female Mayor of Winnipeg. She was Mayor during the 1997 Flood of the Century. One of the buildings at City Hall 510 Main Street is named in her honour.
Tom Killberry founded Killberry Industries. In 1961, he was the Chair of the St. James Chamber of Commerce. Killberry Industries eventually evolved into MacDon.
Well researched sometimes controversial newspaper stories dominate coffee shop conversations. For over a century, many of these stories have been written by journalists with a Douglas Park Road connection. Garnet “Colonel” Porter wrote for the Winnipeg Telegram and the Winnipeg Tribune. In 1926, Garnet became the President of the Winnipeg Press Club. He later became a Life Member. Gordon Sinclair Sr, Gordon Sinclair Jr, Dave Sinclair, and Tom Brodbeck have continued the journalism from Douglas Park Road journalism tradition.
Bill Hanks was the Publisher of the St. James Leader. In 1961, he was elected Mayor of St. James. Under his leadership, St. James Council found the political will to overcome financial obstacles and get the St. James Civic Centre built. Murray Sykes played in the first Civic Centre hockey game. Bill Hanks is remembered by the AW Walk Way in Bruce Park.
Robert and Grace Pollack were artists. One of Robert's many famous paintings was a Victoria Day Douglas Park bonfire. Kathleen Hillier hosted some of the St. James Anglican Mary Wright teas. She was Woman Volunteer of the Year. In 1947, Sargent Owen Parsons was posthumously awarded the RCAF operational wings in recognition of gallant services in the Second World War. In 1952, Phyliss Cooke won the Tudor Bowl at the Manitoba Music Festival. In the early 1950s, Geraldine Hanks was the President of the Canadian Weekly Newspapers Association. Sherry and Shawn Gibson were the Douglas Park Road twins.
The list of well-known people who lived part of their lives on Douglas Park Road seems endless. It includes school trustees Maurice Thompson, Gord McKinnon, Peter Carney, and Ed Hume. Harry Dunwoody, the clerk of the Manitoba Legislature between 1929 and 1950, lived on the street before moving to Woodhaven. David Filmon lived on the street as a young lawyer. City Councillor Scott Fielding lived on the street before moving to South Winnipeg. Don McKinnon served as a Principal and Vice Principal at several St. James schools.
In 2024, Tom Brodeck published a Winnipeg best seller book called Treaties, Lies, and Promises about Manitoba's history in the late 1800s.
Eleanor Thompson died shortly after her daughter was elected as Winnipeg's first Female Mayor. The memorial service was held on 21 December 1992 at St Bede's, 99 Turner. Allen Simms officiated. During Eleanor's final hours, Susan missed part of a City Council meeting. The Free Press criticized her for her absence at this meeting. On 8 January 1993, Maurice Switzer the Free Press Publisher unequivocally apologized for its unsympathetic criticism.
Page revised: 3 October 2026
