A two-storey brick and concrete building on the west side of Mcphillips Street in Winnipeg, measuring 28 feet by 45 feet, was designed by the local architectural firm of Pratt and Ross and built in 1927, with plumbing subcontracted to James L. Toby, and the building itself built by the Canadian Engineering and Construction Company at a cost of $13,000. It was used by the Winnipeg Electric Company as a electrical terminal and substation.
Power from the Great Falls Generating Station was bought into Winnipeg and stepped down here from 110,000 volts before being distributed to the company’s substations around the city, including this one.
In January 1953, the Winnipeg Electric Company was sold to the Manitoba Hydro-Electric Board. This substation was taken over by the Winnipeg Hydro-Electric System.
The former Winnipeg Electric Company McPhillips Substation (December 2024)
Source: Jordan MakichukSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.92302, W97.17022
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Manitoba Business: Pratt and Ross
Manitoba Business: Canadian Engineering and Construction Company
Manitoba Business: Winnipeg Electric Railway Company / Winnipeg Electric Company
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Great Falls Generating Station (Winnipeg River, RM of Alexander)
“Transmission line right of way bought,” Manitoba Free Press, 14 May 1927, page 36.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 2395/1927, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Permits during last four days 115 total $237,850 - W.E.R. Sub-Station, $13,000, and Peretz Institute, $10,000, included,” Winnipeg Tribune, 9 July 1927, page 9.
“Fourth power unit placed in operation,” Manitoba Free Press, 1 November 1927, page 9.
“Power company expenditure $1,500,000 on transmission line into northwest Winnipeg,” Manitoba Free Press, 5 November 1927, page 29.
Winnipeg fire insurance map, #741 November 1958, City of Winnipeg Archives.
Assessment and Taxation Department, City of Winnipeg.
Henderson’s Winnipeg and Brandon Directories, Henderson Directories Limited, Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries.
This page was prepared by Jordan Makichuk and Nathan Kramer.
Page revised: 29 December 2024
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