Historic Sites of Manitoba: McMurray House (127 Rupertsland Boulevard, Winnipeg)

This 2½-storey wood frame and wood shingle siding, Dutch Colonial Revival-style house was on Rupertsland Boulevard at the foot of Jones Street in West Kildonan (now part of Winnipeg). Measuring 28 feet by 37 feet by 32.6 feet, it was designed by architect George William Northwood and built in 1909 by contractor William Wardell Cross at a cost of about $9,000, for owner Harriet Inkster McMurray (1846-1922). She was the daughter of John Inkster and widow of William McMurray.

The house featured a two-level verandah/balcony, Tuscan ornate columns, two storerooms, a laundry room, a kitchen, a den, a dining room, a drawing room, a pantry, a bathroom, and six bedrooms.

Following Harriet’s death in 1922, the house was inherited by her daughter Harriet Jane “Jean” McMurray (1874-1948), wife of financial agent Ernest Walter Moltke Mermagen. Following their deaths in 1947 and 1948, the house was inherited by their daughter Anne Elizabeth “Nancy” Mermagen (1908-1996), wife of Lieutenant-Colonel Clarence L. McGowan (1908-1982).

In 1994, Mrs. McGowan donated the house and land to the City of Winnipeg under the conditions that the land be used as a park. The following year, the house became a municipally-designated historic building. In 1996, late one night under the cover of darkness, a crew of City of Winnipeg workers entered the house and gutted it of its woodwork, fixtures, and all items of value. It was de-listed on 26 June 1997, and despite public opposition, the building was demolished on 6 August 1997. The property was redeveloped into McGowan Park, later renamed Seven Oaks Park.

McMurray House (October 1994)
Source: Historical Buildings & Resources Committee Collection, Planning, Property & Development, City of Winnipeg

McMurray House (October 1994)
Source: Historical Buildings & Resources Committee Collection, Planning, Property & Development, City of Winnipeg

McMurray House (October 1994)
Source: Historical Buildings & Resources Committee Collection, Planning, Property & Development, City of Winnipeg

McMurray House (October 1994)
Source: Historical Buildings & Resources Committee Collection, Planning, Property & Development, City of Winnipeg

McMurray House (October 1994)
Source: Historical Buildings & Resources Committee Collection, Planning, Property & Development, City of Winnipeg

Rear of the McMurray House (October 1994)
Source: Historical Buildings & Resources Committee Collection, Planning, Property & Development, City of Winnipeg

Rear of the McMurray House (October 1994)
Source: Historical Buildings & Resources Committee Collection, Planning, Property & Development, City of Winnipeg

McMurray House (October 1996)
Source: Historical Buildings & Resources Committee Collection, Planning, Property & Development, City of Winnipeg

Architectural plan for the south elevation of the McMurray House (1909)
Source: Records Control Branch, City of Winnipeg

Architectural plan for the north elevation of the McMurray House (1909)
Source: Records Control Branch, City of Winnipeg

Architectural plan for the east elevation of the McMurray House (1909)
Source: Records Control Branch, City of Winnipeg

Architectural plan for the west elevation of the McMurray House (1909)
Source: Records Control Branch, City of Winnipeg

Architectural plan for the first floor of the McMurray House (1909)
Source: Records Control Branch, City of Winnipeg

Architectural plan for the first floor of the McMurray House (1909)
Source: Records Control Branch, City of Winnipeg

Architectural plan for the attic of the McMurray House (1909)
Source: Records Control Branch, City of Winnipeg

Architectural plan for the basement of the McMurray House (1909)
Source: Records Control Branch, City of Winnipeg

Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.93084, W97.11830
denoted by symbol on the map above

Sources:

West Kildonan fire insurance map, #2 November 1961, City of Winnipeg Archives.

The Years Past, 1994-1996: Report of the City of Winnipeg Historical Buildings Committee, pages 61-62.

“Council Votes to Demolish Historic House” Winnipeg Free Press, 27 June 1997, page 6.

“Heritage Chairman Wants to Save House” Winnipeg Free Press, 10 July 1997, page 4.

“Province to Rescue Historic Dwelling” Winnipeg Free Press, 31 July 1997, page 8.

“Group Loses Fight to Save Historic Home” Winnipeg Free Press, 5 August 1997, page 3.

“Spirit to Save House Gone as Wrecking Ball Set to Swing” Winnipeg Free Press, 6 August 1997, page 4.

“Historic City Homestead Demolished” Winnipeg Free Press, 7 August 1997, page 7.

“Razing House a Calamity” Winnipeg Free Press, 12 August 1997, page 15.

Harriet Inkster & McGowan Park - Seven Oaks & Ross House Museum

Henderson’s Winnipeg and Brandon Directories, Henderson Directories Limited, Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries.

Property Details [127 Rupertsland Boulevard], Winnipeg Assessment and Taxation.

This page was prepared by Jordan Makichuk.

We thank Murray Peterson for providing additional information used here.

Page revised: 19 April 2026

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