History

Point Douglas History

The oldest settlement in Western Canada, Point Douglas takes its name from its founder. Thomas Douglas, The Earl of Selkirk, who came to the Red River Colony in 1817. It was the first agricultural colony in the West.

Fort Douglas, built by Miles Macdonnell, was located at the foot of what is now called George Avenue; it was built to support community life at the time, and included stables, a blacksmith shop and ice house, among others. The early colonists were befriended and assisted by Chief Peguis, a family name to most Manitobans. For those interested in the Second World War, the area was also the birthplace to Sir William Stephenson, who is better know by the code name he operated under in coordinating British and American spy intelligence during this time: "Intrepid".

For many name immigrants to Manitoba, their first prolonged exposure to this new country were the streets of Point Douglas. The neighborhood was the location of the Canadian Pacific passenger terminal on Higgins Avenue, and during the last decades of the 19th century, immigrants poured into the city. Some continued west, but many stayed and settled in Point Douglas to work on the railway. The neighborhood's importance was due to its proximity to the railway lines, and it became more and more industrialized over the years. Point Douglas became home to a variety of enterprises, from farm implement manufacturers and paint mixers to breweries and flour mills.

In the 1880's the neighbourhood was an affluent area, a northern suburb of a Winnipeg centered on the Upper Fort Garry trading post. By the turn of the century, however, the area became more industrialized, and the wealthiest residents, such as business leader James Ashdown - moved south to the newer neighborhoods such as Armstrong's Point and Crescentwood. As the 20th century continued, more and more workers took advantage of access to Winnipeg's new Electric Street Railway and moved to quieter areas elsewhere in the City. Left behind were often the newest immigrants to the City and the poorest paid workers of the local industries.

Today, Point Douglas is a neighborhood that has seen better economic times, but with its strong sense of community, numerous churches and missions, a booming elementary school - Norquay - and the dedication of business owners of the Mosaic Market on Main Street, it is an area that may be on the rebound.

Check out the attached video of the History of Norquay School. This video was created for the alumni and other special guests that attended our 125th anniversary in the fall of 2007. Click once on the picture below and it will start. Please check out the history of Norquay School through the link provided below. Created by the Norquay School Computer Club students for the 125th anniversary of Norquay School.

HISTORY OF NORQUAY SCHOOL VIDEO