This two-storey brick building on Main Street in Winnipeg was constructed in 1894 for merchant George Craig, who used it as a rental property. Early occupants of the main floor included restaurants while the second floor had a small assembly hall and space that was used for offices or residences. In 1922, the second floor was occupied by the Order of Sleeping Car Porters No. 130, believed to be North America’s first Black labour union founded by John Ashley Robinson and others.
The building was vacant at the time of a 2022 site visit.
Storefront of Harrison Brothers drugstore in the Craig Block (1899)
Source: Western Canada Pictorial Index 21323, University of Winnipeg
Craig Block (May 2019)
Source: George Penner
Craig Block (January 2022)
Source: Gordon GoldsboroughSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.90695, W97.13356
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: George Craig (1842-1915)
Memorable Manitobans: John Ashley Robinson (c1883-1950)
Review: Karina Vernon (ed.), The Black Prairie Archives: An Anthology by Adele Perry
Prairie History, Number 5, Summer 2021
“Rayner & Co. - 795 Main Street, Winnipeg,” Manitoba Free Press, 17 December 1895, page 20.
Winnipeg fire insurance map, #212 May 1956, City of Winnipeg Archives.
Henderson’s Winnipeg and Brandon Directories, Henderson Directories Limited, Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries.
793-795 Main Street - Craig Block, Winnipeg Places, West End Dumplings by Christian Cassidy.
This page was prepared by George Penner, Jordan Makichuk, and Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 15 April 2024
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