Historic Sites of Manitoba: Elmwood Telephone Exchange Building (230 Martin Avenue West, Winnipeg)

This one-storey brick building at the southwest corner of Martin Avenue West and Brazier Street in Winnipeg, measuring 45 feet by 71 feet, was designed by local architect Alexander D. Melville for the Manitoba Telephone System. Announced in January 1928, the facility was tendered in early March, and constructed later that year by the firm of Hazelton and Walin at a cost of about $28,000.

It was used originally as a satellite branch of the St. John’s Telephone Exchange Building. It has since been converted to residential use.

Telephone Exchange Building in Elmwood (no date) Source: The Telephone Echo, Volume 8, Number 3, cover, September 1928. Elmwood Telephone Exchange Building (November 2016) Source: Nathan Kramer Elmwood Telephone Exchange Building (June 2021) Source: George Penner Elmwood Telephone Exchange Building (March 2023) Source: Jordan Makichuk Site Location (lat/long): N49.91517, W97.11020 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Memorable Manitobans: Alexander D. Melville (1873-1949)

Manitoba Business: Hazelton and Walin

MHS Centennial Business: Manitoba Government Telephones / Manitoba Telephone System / MTS Allstream / Bell MTS

Sources:

City of Winnipeg Building Permit 827/1928, City of Winnipeg Archives.

“Tenders,” Manitoba Free Press, 2 March 1928, page 13.

“City and district,” Manitoba Free Press, 21 March 1928, page 4.

“Phone System gets permit for new $28,000 Exchange,” Winnipeg Tribune, 17 April 1928, page 6.

We thank George Penner and Jordan Makichuk for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer.

Page revised: 29 October 2023

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