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.
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
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 (December 2011)
Source: Gordon GoldsboroughSite Coordinates (lat/long): N50.08229, W97.22663
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: William Henry Rourke (1850-1918)
“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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