Link to:
Photos & Coordinates | Sources
By June 1916, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows began searching in the greater Winnipeg area for property on which to built a home for elderly members and their spouses, as well as orphaned children of deceased members. These large grounds in the Rural Municipality of Charleswood were selected and a contest was held for the design plans. The winning entry was drawn up by Winnipeg architect John Hamilton Gordon Russell. It called for a structure measuring 120 feet by 66 feet, costing $30,000 to $40,000, with capacity for around 40 beds. Excavation was to begin by the fall of 1917. However, construction did not proceed and, over the following years, additional funds were raised to build a larger facility.
Construction on the present building began in 1922, with site preparation and excavation work underway by the spring. A cornerstone-laying ceremony officiated by Grand Secretary Benjamin Draper Deering was held on 15 July. It was to be the second IOOF Home in Canada (the first being located in Toronto) and one of 57 such Homes across North America. Once completed, it would measure 140 feet by 30 feet, with two south wings (each 24 feet by 30 feet), and a joint dining room and kitchen (measuring 33 feet by 56 feet). Accomodation was provided for 70 people with additional undeveloped capacity for orphans in the attic. The two-storey structure cost around $125,000 with another $25,000 in furnishings and equipment. In the basement, in addition to the steam heating plant, there were two large playrooms for orphans along with two corresponding rear (north side) entrances to the building labeled “Girls” and “Boys.” A school was later operated at the site.
The facility was opened officially on 13 March 1923 at a ceremony attended by some 850 people. It was dedicated by Lucian J. Eastin (IOOF Grand Sire of St. Joseph, Missouri) and Lieutenant-Governor James Albert Manning Aikins addressed the crowd.
In 1997, the facility was closed following withdrawal of government funding. The building was given a $2 million renovation, resulting in seven studio apartments and 25 single bedroom suites. In April 2001, it reopened as an assisted living facility known as Assiniboine Links. A private residential subdivision was later constructed between the building and the Assiniboine River.
The building became a municipally-designated heritage site in January 2023. It was sold in 2024 to Siloam Mission to provide “supportive housing ybuts fir seniors and people existing homelessness”.
Architect’s drawing of the Odd Fellows Home (1922)
Source: Manitoba Free Press, 15 July 1922, page 48.
Odd Fellows Home (1923)
Source: Winnipeg Tribune, 13 March 1923, page 2.
Odd Fellows Home (no date)
Source: Jack Hardman
Odd Fellows Home (May 2011)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Rear view of the Odd Fellows Home with Girls entrance (December 2020)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Rear view of the Odd Fellows Home with Boys entrance (December 2020)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Remaining fence post of the Odd Fellows Home grounds (December 2020)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Front view of the Odd Fellows Home (May 2020)
Source: George PennerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.86902, W97.26729
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Odd Fellows Hall (72 Princess Street, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Odd Fellows Temple (78 The Promenade, Winnipeg)
“Tenders wanted,” Manitoba Free Press, 7 June 1916, page 2.
“Fraternal notes,” Winnipeg Tribune, 1 July 1916, page 13.
“500 Odd Fellows at anniversary service,” Winnipeg Tribune, 30 April 1917, page 5.
“Tenders called for Odd Fellows Home,” Manitoba Free Press, 10 September 1917, page 8.
“Lodge News [Independent order of Odd Fellows],” Winnipeg Tribune, 19 January 1918, page 23.
“Tenders,” Winnipeg Tribune, 28 February 1921, page 2.
“News of bazaars,” Manitoba Free Press, 19 November 1921, page 9.
“Odd Fellows’ Grand Lodge installation,” Manitoba Free Press, 10 March 1922, page 7.
“Plans for a $100,000 Odd Fellows Home,” Manitoba Free Press, 5 April 1922, page 8.
“Proposed Odd Fellows’ Home for Charleswood,” Manitoba Free Press, 5 March 1921, page 18.
“Odd Fellows to hold parade,” Winnipeg Tribune, 29 April 1922, page 18.
“Public men to attend laying of cornerstone for Of Fellows’ Home,” Winnipeg Tribune, 22 June 1922, page 6.
“Odd Fellows’ Grand Lodge for corner stone laying,” Manitoba Free Press, 1 July 1922, page 3.
“Odd Fellows’ Home,” Manitoba Free Press, 4 July 1922, page 8.
“Lays cornerstone of Odd Fellows’ Home,” Winnipeg Tribune, 15 July 1922, page 3.
“Corner stone to be laid today,” Manitoba Free Press, 15 July 1922, page 48.
“Odd Fellow official lays cornerstone,” Winnipeg Tribune, 17 July 1922, page 2.
“Odd Fellows’ officers attend ceremony,” Winnipeg Tribune, 17 July 1922, page 2.
“Tenders re furnishing Odd Fellows’ Home,” Manitoba Free Press, 15 August 1922, page 17.
“Odd Fellows to open home in Charleswood,” Winnipeg Tribune, 9 March, 1923, page 6.
“Odd Fellows dedicate home at Charleswood,” Winnipeg Tribune, 13 March 1923, page 1.
“New Odd Fellows’ Home in suburb,” Winnipeg Tribune, 13 March 1923, page 2.
“Dedicates home at Charleswood to Odd Fellows,” Winnipeg Tribune, 13 March 1923, pages 1 & 2.
“Grand Lodge of Manitoba I.O.O.F. meets March 9 to 11,” Manitoba Free Press, 6 March 1925, page 6.
“Care home fights closing,” by Allison Bray, Winnipeg Free Press, 3 March 1997, page 4.
“Links to a bright future,” by Treena Khan, Winnipeg Free Press, 28 June 1998, page E3.
“Odd Fellows Home finds new life as Assiniboine Links,” by Liz Katynski, Winnipeg Free Press, 14 March 2001, Community Review West page 3.
“Assiniboine Links serves senior population,” by Lynne Harrison, Winnipeg Free Press, 17 February 2002, page E4.
“Century-old Odd Fellows Home in Charleswood up for heritage preservation,” CBC News, 8 December 2022.
“Manitoba government invests in supportive housing units for seniors,” Manitoba News Release, 10 May 2024.
We thank Jack Hardman for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough, Nathan Kramer, George Penner, and S. Goldsborough.
Page revised: 10 May 2024
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