This one-storey brick building at the intersection of Horace Street and Traverse Avenue in the Norwood area of Winnipeg was designed by local architect John Hamilton Gordon Russell and built in 1919 to accommodate telephone exchange equipment for Manitoba Government Telephones (later known as Manitoba Telephone System).
In 1938, an addition measuring 34 feet by 43 feet, designed by Alexander D. Melville, along with alterations to the original building were carried out by contractor Gerard Alphonsus “Gerry” Baert at a cost of about $12,000. Another addition in 1952 was designed by corporate architect Robert Bryan Ross.
Norwood Telephone Exchange Building (September 2020)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Norwood Telephone Exchange Building (December 2020)
Source: George Penner
Norwood Telephone Exchange Building (December 2022)
Source: Jordan MakichukSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.88095, W97.11742
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: John Hamilton Gordon Russell (1863-1946)
Memorable Manitobans: Alexander D. Melville (1873-1949)
Manitoba Business: G. A. Baert Construction Company
Memorable Manitobans: Robert Bryan Ross (1908-1983)
MHS Centennial Business: Manitoba Government Telephones / Manitoba Telephone System / MTS Allstream / Bell MTS
“Tenders,” Winnipeg Tribune, 4 July 1919, page 13.
“The new St. Boniface telephone exchange,” Manitoba Free Press, 5 September 1919, page 14.
Henderson’s Winnipeg and Brandon Directories, Henderson Directories Limited, Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries.
“To enlarge Norwood telephone exchange,” Winnipeg Tribune, 9 April 1938, page 22.
“Tenders, Norwood Telephone Exchange, Winnipeg, Man.,” Winnipeg Tribune, 9 April 1938, page 34.
“Telephone Exchange contract is let,” Winnipeg Tribune, 14 May 1938, page 9.
“Permits lagging,” Winnipeg Free Press, 14 May 1938, page 24.
“Tenders Manitoba Telephone Systems,” Winnipeg Free Press, 17 October 1952, page 38.
St. Boniface fire insurance maps #1926 April 1959, City of Winnipeg Archives.
We thank George Penner for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough and Jordan Makichuk.
Page revised: 15 February 2025
Historic Sites of Manitoba
This is a collection of historic sites in Manitoba compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. The information is offered for historical interest only.
Browse lists of:
Museums/Archives | Buildings | Monuments | Cemeteries | Locations | OtherInclusion in this collection does not confer special status or protection. Official heritage designation may only come from municipal, provincial, or federal governments. Some sites are on private property and permission to visit must be secured from the owner.
Site information is provided by the Manitoba Historical Society as a free public service only for non-commercial purposes.
Send corrections and additions to this page
to the MHS Webmaster at webmaster@mhs.mb.ca.Help us keep history alive!
