Historic Sites of Manitoba: Craig Block (795 Main Street, Winnipeg)

This two-storey brick building on Main Street in Winnipeg was constructed in 1894 for merchant George Craig, who used it as a rental property. Early occupants of the main floor included restaurants while the second floor had a small assembly hall and space that was used for offices or residences. In 1922, the second floor was occupied by the Order of Sleeping Car Porters, believed to be North America’s first Black labour union founded by John Ashley Robinson and others.

The building was occupied by a sporting goods store at the time of a 2019 site visit.

Craig Block

Craig Block (May 2019)
Source: George Penner

Craig Block

Craig Block (January 2022)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough

Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.90695, W97.13356
denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Memorable Manitobans: George Craig (1842-1915)

Memorable Manitobans: John Ashley Robinson (c1883-1950)

Review: Karina Vernon (ed.), The Black Prairie Archives: An Anthology by Adele Perry
Prairie History, Number 5, Summer 2021

Sources:

793-795 Main Street - Craig Block, Winnipeg Places, West End Dumplings by Christian Cassidy.

This page was prepared by George Penner and Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 27 October 2023

Historic Sites of Manitoba

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