Historic Sites of Manitoba: Slave Falls Generating Station (Winnipeg River, Whiteshell Provincial Park)

This hydroelectric generating station was built between 1929 and 1931 on the Winnipeg River, in what is now Whiteshell Provincial Park, as a joint venture between the firms of Stewart and Grant and John Gunn and Sons for the Winnipeg Hydro Electric System (later, Winnipeg Hydro and and today Manitoba Hydro). Built at a cost of $2,228,021, using structural steel provided by Dominion Bridge, the plant was opened by Winnipeg Mayor Ralph H. Webb on 1 September 1931. It provided electricity to the City of Winnipeg.

A small brick building was used by the Winnipeg Hydro Tramway that operated between Pointe du Bois and Slave Falls. The tramway has since been replaced by a road and the building is now used for storage.

Slave Falls Generating Station

Slave Falls Generating Station (1931)
Source: The Dotted Line, Vol. 6, No. 9, September 1931, page 1.

Aerial view of the Slave Falls Generating Station

Aerial view of the Slave Falls Generating Station (July 1998)
Source: George Penner

Interior of Slave Falls Generating Station

Interior of Slave Falls Generating Station (1931)
Source: The Dotted Line, Vol. 6, No. 10, October 1931, page 1.

Commemorative plaque inside the Slave Falls Generating Station

Commemorative plaque inside the Slave Falls Generating Station (April 2018)
Source: Fred Gunkel

Slave Falls Generating Station

Slave Falls Generating Station (October 2016)
Source: Manitoba Hydro

Powerhouse of the Slave Falls Generating Station

Powerhouse of the Slave Falls Generating Station (October 2016)
Source: Manitoba Hydro

Staff house at the Slave Falls Generating Station

Staff house at the Slave Falls Generating Station (October 2016)
Source: Manitoba Hydro

Tramway station near the Slave Falls Generating Station

Tramway station near the Slave Falls Generating Station (September 1990)
Source: George Penner

Tramway station near the Slave Falls Generating Station

Tramway station near the Slave Falls Generating Station (September 1990)
Source: George Penner

Site Location (lat/long): N50.22213, W95.56881
denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Manitoba Business: John Gunn and Sons

Manitoba Business: Dominion Bridge Company

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Pointe du Bois Generating Station (Pointe du Bois, Whiteshell Provincial Park)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Pointe du Bois Staff House (Pointe du Bois, Whiteshell Provincial Park)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Pointe du Bois Stone House (Pointe du Bois, Whiteshell Provincial Park)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Slave Falls Generating Station (Winnipeg River, Whiteshell Provincial Park)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Rover Avenue Electric Terminal (199 Annabella Street, Winnipeg)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Winnipeg Hydro Showroom (55 Princess Street, Winnipeg)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Winnipeg Hydro Substation No. 1 (54 King Street, Winnipeg)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Winnipeg Hydro Substation No. 2 (300 McPhillips Street, Winnipeg)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: May Street Substation / Winnipeg Hydro Substation No. 3 (541 Waterfront Drive, Winnipeg)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Winnipeg Hydro Substation No. 4 (811 St. Matthews Avenue, Winnipeg)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Winnipeg Hydro Substation No. 5 (Scotland Avenue, Winnipeg)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Winnipeg Hydro War Memorial (Winnipeg)

Sources:

“Joint tender of $2,228,021 wins approval,” Winnipeg Tribune, 6 June 1929, page 3.

“New Slave Falls Power House,” Winnipeg Tribune, 12 October 1929, page 28.

“To all Hydro employees,” The Dotted Line, August 1931, page 2. [Manitoba Legislative Library]

We thank Fred Gunkel and George Penner for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 5 September 2023

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 | Other

Inclusion 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.

Search Tips | Suggest an Historic Site | FAQ

Help us keep history alive!