Historic Sites of Manitoba: Manitoba Penitentiary / Stony Mountain Penitentiary (RM of Rockwood)

Initially located at Lower Fort Garry, a provincial penitentiary was established here, on a natural hill in the Rural Municipality of Rockwood, in 1877. The original structure was built by contractor James Barclay and, in 1885, its capacity was increased from 65 to 114 prisoners by contractor William Henry Rourke.

Wardens

Period

Warden

1877-1891

Samuel Lawrence Bedson (1842-1891)

1891-1921

John Graham

1921-1923

H. W. Cooper

1923-1935

William Meighen

1935-1936

George Waters MacLeod (1888-1936)

1936-1956

?

1956-1960

Charles Ernest DesRosiers (1913-1969)

1960-1964

Fred S. Harris

1964-1972

?

1972-1973

George F. Tegman

1973-1974

J. W. Thompson - Acting

1974-?

Raymond Desrochers

Photos & Coordinates

Postcard view of the Stony Mountain Penitentiary, circa 1909. The building at centre-right contained prison cells, the workshop were nearer the road, and the warden’s house was in the background.

Postcard view of the Stony Mountain Penitentiary, circa 1909. The building at centre-right contained prison cells, the workshop were nearer the road, and the warden’s house was in the background.
Source: Andrew Cunningham

Stony Mountain Penitentiary

Stony Mountain Penitentiary (December 2011)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough

Site Coordinates (lat/long): N50.08229, W97.22663
denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Memorable Manitobans: William Henry Rourke (1850-1918)

Sources:

“Off to the Klondyke,” Winnipeg Tribune, 30 October 1897, page 1.

“Ottawan named warden of 'pen',” Winnipeg Tribune, 10 October 1921, page 1.

“Col. Meighen is honored by friends at banquet,” Winnipeg Tribune, 23 March 1935, page 3.

“New warden at Stony Mountain Penitentiary has brilliant record,” Winnipeg Tribune, 4 April 1935, page 21.

“Col. McLeod, warden of Stony Mountain Penitentiary, dies,” Winnipeg Tribune, 22 July 1936, page 10.

“Mrs. James Stirton, who came west in ’75, marks 80th birthday,” Winnipeg Tribune, 15 January 1938, page 2.

“New Warden at Stony Mountain,” Winnipeg Free Press, 17 November 1960, page 7.

“Ex-prison warden here dies at 56 in B.C.,” Winnipeg Free Press, 28 May 1969, page 26.

“No. 1 challenge: change,” Winnipeg Free Press, 18 March 1972, page 3.

“Warden appointed,” Winnipeg Free Press, 17 January 1974, page 64.

We thank Andrew Cunningham for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 2 June 2024

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