Link to:
Photos & Coordinates | Sources
Located at the southwest corner of Lily Street and Henry Avenue in Winnipeg, site planning for this facility began in 1956, with construction underway from 1957 to 1959. The four-storey building was commissioned by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) as the Western Canada hub for its Communications department (known also as Canadian Pacific Communications), replacing downtown joint quarters (with Canadian National Railway) at the corner of Portage Avenuea and Main Street, as well as elsewhere near the Canadian Pacific Railway Station a block away.
The structure itself cost $1.75 million, with an additional $1.5 million in new equipment installed inside. From January through March 1960, staff transferred existing equipment from other buildings to this location, in preparation for its opening. On 4 April 1960, the newly centralized headquarters was opened officially with a ribbon-cutting ceremony performed by George H. Pescud, General Manager of Communications. The facility provided weather reporting, Royal Canadian Air Force and civilian airport maps, as well as air traffic control, radio transmissions, teletype for newspapers, radio and television, as well as telephone and telegraphic services for the company within the Prairie region. The final stages of service relocation to this premises took place around April 1961.
In late 1999, the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) purchased the building from the CPR, though the railway, as well as AT&T, did continue to use some office space. Renovations totalled around $400,000 and additional affiliate entities, included the Louis Riel Institute, Louis Riel Capital Corporation, Manitoba Metis Community Investments Incorporated, and Pemmican Publications, all occupied offices in the building.
Beside the building (about N49.90244 W97.13247) is a stone block that, from 1989 to 2003, was the base for the Winged Victory monument.
Manitoba Metis Federation Building (August 2017)
Source: Nathan Kramer
Manitoba Metis Federation Building (July 2017)
Source: Nathan Kramer
Aerial view of the Manitoba Metis Federation Building (March 2024)
Source: George Penner
Former monument base beside the Manitoba Metis Federation Building (March 2015)
Source: Nathan KramerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.90249, W97.13297
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Winged Victory Monument (2109 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg)
MHS Centennial Business: Canadian Pacific Railway Company
“CPR files plans for new building,” Winnipeg Free Press, 5 August 1956, page 3.
“Greater Winnipeg’s growth impressive,” Winnipeg Tribune, 7 May 1959, page P17.
“CP - CN : Canada’s great communications team [ad],” Winnipeg Free Press, 17 November 1959, page 4.
“Official opening Monday,” Winnipeg Tribune, 2 April 1960, page 35.
“Flick of a switch opens a new era,” Winnipeg Free Press, 4 April 1960, page 35.
“Communications centre moves to new building,” Winnipeg Tribune, 5 April 1960, page 3.
“CPR improves property and services in 1959,” Winnipeg Free Press, 26 April 1960, page 38.
“Office move is completed,” Winnipeg Free Press, 25 April 1961, page 26.
“Metis Federation proud of new home in old CP station,” Winnipeg Free Press, 3 December 1999, page A3.
“Our mistake,” Winnipeg Free Press, 5 December 1999, page A2.
“Our mistake,” Winnipeg Free Press, 9 December 1999, page A2.
We thank George Penner for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer and Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 9 March 2024
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