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Located along the east side of Kennedy Street in Winnipeg, this single-storey residence [329 Kennedy] was built around 1890 for Thomas W. Leggo. He married Sarah J. Willoughby at Winnipeg on 12 June 1882 and worked for Henry Shaver Wesbrook (1890). Leggo resided here until around 1897.
Next to occupy the dwelling was wholesale grocer Angus Polson (1853-1930). Polson was born in the Red River Colony on 21 April 1853, son of Angus Polson and Ann Henderson (?-?), and sibling of Samuel Polson. He married Margaret Ann “Maggie“ McKay (1860-1942) at Kildonan on 2 April 1884 and had three daughters: Jane “Jean” Polson (1885-1965), Catherine Polson (1887-?), and Annie Isabella Polson (1890-1921). In 1905, he commissioned a $5,500 expansion to his residence, adding a stone basement along with another 1.5 storeys. The residence then measured 29 by 36 feet with an 8 feet by 12 feet addition. Construction was undertaken by contractor George Andrews Mitchell and based on designs of architect Frederick A. Palmer. The expansion functionally converted the single residence into a duplex, address indexed as 327-329 Kennedy, with James H. Stevens as the first occupant of the adjoining 327 Kennedy. Around 1907, Polson retired to Saanich, British Columbia with his family. Both Polson parents died at Saanich, Angus on 9 May 1930 and Maggie on 4 June 1942.
Between 1905 and 1924, several families and lodgers occupied the two halves of the building. Opening around May 1925, it was converted into Kennedy Lodge, a rooming house accommodation that advertised room, board, and meals. It was operated by Charles Bagnall (1873-1953). Born at Kimberley, Nottinghamshire, England on 22 July 1873, Bagnall served during the Boer War with the 12th Company Imperial Yeomanry and with the South African Constabulary (three years), and was a member of the Cape Mounted Police as well as being Aide-de-Camp to Sir Samuel Benfield “Sam” Steele prior to immigrating to Canada in 1906. He first lived at Calgary where he married Anne Simpson (1874-1924) and had two sons: Charles Leslie Bagnall (1908-1993) and Frank Bagnall (1912-1964). At Winnipeg, he operated a boarding house at 317-319 Carlton (1911). Bagnall was a member of the Army Navy Airforce Veterans in Canada and the Greater Winnipeg Kennel Club. He died at his residence, 231 Young Street, on 27 December 1953 and was buried in the Elmwood Cemetery.
As of the 1926 census, 19 people resided here in addition to the Bagnalls. Bagnall operated the premises until around 1930 when Sigurd Anderson took over. Kennedy Lodge continued in business into the 1960s before closing. The building was later demolished.
Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.89349, W97.14902
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Frederick A. Palmer (1865-?)
Manitoba Business: Kelly Brothers / Manitoba Construction Company / Kelly Brothers and Mitchell / Thomas Kelly and Sons
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 722/1905, City of Winnipeg Archives.
1901& 1911 Canada censuses, Automated Genealogy.
1926 Canada census, Library and Archives Canada.
Birth [Jane Polson, Catherine Polson, Annie Isabella Polson, & Frank Bagnell], marriage [Thomas W. Leggo & Sarah J. Willoughby, Angus Polson & Margaret Ann McKay], and death registrations, Manitoba Vital Statistics.
Death [Annie Isabelle Polson, Angus Polson, Margaret Ann Polaon, Jean Polson] registrations, British Columbia Vital Statistics.
Charles E. Goad Company fonds, Insurance Plan of the City of Winnipeg - Volume 1 - 1906 - Sheet 43, Library and Archives Canada.
Charles E. Goad Company fonds, Insurance Plan of the City of Winnipeg - Volume 1 - 1914 - Sheet 43, Library and Archives Canada.
“H. S. Wesbrook,” Manitoba Daily Free Press, 20 December 1890, page 13.
“Situations wanted [The undersigned desires ...],” Manitoba Morning Free Press, 16 April 1894, page 7.
“Obituary [Mr. and Mrs. James H. Stevens mourn ...],” Winnipeg Tribune, 2 May 1907, page 5.
“Kennedy Lodge,” Manitoba Free Press, 25 May 1925, page 14.
“Kennedy Lodge,” Manitoba Free Press, 4 June 1925, page 20.
“Rev. S. Polson, early day missionary, dies,” Manitoba Free Press, 30 November 1926, page 5.
“Marjorie Browning Kelly and Frank Bagnall wed in mid-afternoon ceremony,” Winnipeg Tribune, 14 March 1942, page 11.
“Birthdays [Charles Bagnall],” Winnipeg Free Press, 22 July 1953, page 13.
“Charles Bagnall, Boer War veteran dies here at 80,” Winnipeg Tribune, 28 December 1953, page 24.
“Aide De Camp to Sir S. Steele, C. Bagnall dies,” Winnipeg Free Press, 28 December 1953, page 25.
Death notice [Charles Bagnall], Winnipeg Tribune, 30 December 1953, page 16.
“62 - Rooms, Furnished [Furn. Rms. Avail. Nr. Portage ...],” Winnipeg Free Press, 16 April 1962, page 33.
Obituary [Frank Bagnall], Winnipeg Free Press, 25 May 1964, page 22.
“Bagnall - Johnson,” Winnipeg Free Press, 24 September 1966, page 21.
Obituary [Charles L. Bagnall], Winnipeg Free Press, 6 October 1993, page B6.
Henderson’s Winnipeg and Brandon Directories, Henderson Directories Limited, Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries.
Preparation of this page was supported, in part, by the Gail Parvin Hammerquist Fund of the City of Winnipeg.
We thank Gordon Goldsborough for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer.
Page revised: 19 July 2024
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