@westendcassidy.bsky.social
Yes, I have a triptych of images in my blog post. Can;t get the developer to contact me back to answer a couple of questions.
November 24, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Yes, I have a triptych of images in my blog post. Can;t get the developer to contact me back to answer a couple of questions.
I was interviewed today about the missing pole-mounted Christmas lights that have been a fixture downtown since 1999.
Here's a post about the history of the downtown Christmas lights which began in 1929:
westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2014/12/winn...
(Images: Xmas lights in 2007, 1974, & 1929)
Here's a post about the history of the downtown Christmas lights which began in 1929:
westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2014/12/winn...
(Images: Xmas lights in 2007, 1974, & 1929)
November 24, 2025 at 10:06 PM
I was interviewed today about the missing pole-mounted Christmas lights that have been a fixture downtown since 1999.
Here's a post about the history of the downtown Christmas lights which began in 1929:
westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2014/12/winn...
(Images: Xmas lights in 2007, 1974, & 1929)
Here's a post about the history of the downtown Christmas lights which began in 1929:
westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2014/12/winn...
(Images: Xmas lights in 2007, 1974, & 1929)
Wrapping up a post about the former McLaughlin Carriage Works building on Princess Street. I discovered that the barely visible ghost sign is ca. 1942, when it became Western Canadian HQ for Beatty Bros. appliance manufacturers.
November 21, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Wrapping up a post about the former McLaughlin Carriage Works building on Princess Street. I discovered that the barely visible ghost sign is ca. 1942, when it became Western Canadian HQ for Beatty Bros. appliance manufacturers.
Good news that police caught the serial arsonist plaguing the downtown. Here's a look back at the deadly Radford-Wright fire & capture of Patrick Dobbs, believed to be Winnipeg's first convicted serial arsonist. Charged w/ 92, beleived to have set 200+ westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2012/03/radf...
November 21, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Good news that police caught the serial arsonist plaguing the downtown. Here's a look back at the deadly Radford-Wright fire & capture of Patrick Dobbs, believed to be Winnipeg's first convicted serial arsonist. Charged w/ 92, beleived to have set 200+ westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2012/03/radf...
Sadly, Olafson House at 539 William Ave. was torn down this week after its fourth fire in three months. It was one of my favourite houses in the city.
Here's a look back at its history and some of those who called it home over the past 130 years: winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2025/11/539-...
Here's a look back at its history and some of those who called it home over the past 130 years: winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2025/11/539-...
November 16, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Sadly, Olafson House at 539 William Ave. was torn down this week after its fourth fire in three months. It was one of my favourite houses in the city.
Here's a look back at its history and some of those who called it home over the past 130 years: winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2025/11/539-...
Here's a look back at its history and some of those who called it home over the past 130 years: winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2025/11/539-...
For Remembrance Day, the story of two Winnipeg airmen whose plane went missing during a reconnaissance flight over the Bay of Fundy during the Second World War. R. I. P.
westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-...
westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-...
November 10, 2025 at 9:39 AM
For Remembrance Day, the story of two Winnipeg airmen whose plane went missing during a reconnaissance flight over the Bay of Fundy during the Second World War. R. I. P.
westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-...
westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-...
My latest Free Press community Review article is about the history and future of the original city clock. It adorned city hall from 1903 to 1961 and its works were reestablished in Portage Place from 1985 to 2025.
Here's the link: www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communit...
Here's the link: www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communit...
November 6, 2025 at 11:59 PM
My latest Free Press community Review article is about the history and future of the original city clock. It adorned city hall from 1903 to 1961 and its works were reestablished in Portage Place from 1985 to 2025.
Here's the link: www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communit...
Here's the link: www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communit...
I went to see the “Frankemall” today. A strange sight. The old city clock and its workings can be seen. It was installed in May 1903, 8 years after the ‘gingerbread’ city hall opened, and served until 1961. Years ago, I wrote this history: winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2010/11/down...
October 19, 2025 at 7:15 PM
I went to see the “Frankemall” today. A strange sight. The old city clock and its workings can be seen. It was installed in May 1903, 8 years after the ‘gingerbread’ city hall opened, and served until 1961. Years ago, I wrote this history: winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2010/11/down...
My latest column is about the rare double hanging at Headingley Jail on October 2, 1918 of two men convicted for the murder of Winnipeg Police Constable Bernard Snowden during a botched robbery:
www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communit...
www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communit...
October 3, 2025 at 4:35 AM
My latest column is about the rare double hanging at Headingley Jail on October 2, 1918 of two men convicted for the murder of Winnipeg Police Constable Bernard Snowden during a botched robbery:
www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communit...
www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communit...
Howell Court, 661 Broadway, is slated for demo to make way for a mixed-use block w/ 21 housing units. Over the past 122 yrs, it has been a private residence, medical clinic, & apartment block. Here's a look back at its history before it is gone: winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2025/09/661-...
September 29, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Howell Court, 661 Broadway, is slated for demo to make way for a mixed-use block w/ 21 housing units. Over the past 122 yrs, it has been a private residence, medical clinic, & apartment block. Here's a look back at its history before it is gone: winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2025/09/661-...
Another West End house and street history, this time McGee Street! winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2025/09/351-...
September 8, 2025 at 6:04 AM
Another West End house and street history, this time McGee Street! winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2025/09/351-...
Back to School, 1925 style! From the Winnipeg Tribune of Sep 1, 1925. The boys are off to Carlton School (1881-1929) on Carlton St. where True North Square is today, that operated from 1881 to 1929. The ad is from Eaton's, Aug 26, 1925.
September 1, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Back to School, 1925 style! From the Winnipeg Tribune of Sep 1, 1925. The boys are off to Carlton School (1881-1929) on Carlton St. where True North Square is today, that operated from 1881 to 1929. The ad is from Eaton's, Aug 26, 1925.
One of the city-owned lots being proposed for possible housing development is 546 Sherburn St.. This was the driveway into Carson's Hygienic Dairy built in 1912 and demo'd in 1988. For more about the building, see my #Winnipeg Places post: winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2021/11/546-...
August 23, 2025 at 6:25 AM
One of the city-owned lots being proposed for possible housing development is 546 Sherburn St.. This was the driveway into Carson's Hygienic Dairy built in 1912 and demo'd in 1988. For more about the building, see my #Winnipeg Places post: winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2021/11/546-...
Join me tonight at 6:30 for Trees Winnipeg's first Park Walk of the summer. For something different, we're visiting multiple sites in West Broadway! Meet outside Broadway Neighbourhood Centre, 185 Young Street at 6:30. The walk should last 75 minutes.
August 7, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Join me tonight at 6:30 for Trees Winnipeg's first Park Walk of the summer. For something different, we're visiting multiple sites in West Broadway! Meet outside Broadway Neighbourhood Centre, 185 Young Street at 6:30. The walk should last 75 minutes.
I'm slowly pecking way on a blog post about Loftur Jorundson who built a lot of houses and a couple of apts in the West End circa 1900 - 1913.
His largest was likely the Quo Vadis Apts, now demolished. It was on Qu'Appelle Street next to Knox Church. Here's a now and then.
His largest was likely the Quo Vadis Apts, now demolished. It was on Qu'Appelle Street next to Knox Church. Here's a now and then.
August 1, 2025 at 8:09 AM
I'm slowly pecking way on a blog post about Loftur Jorundson who built a lot of houses and a couple of apts in the West End circa 1900 - 1913.
His largest was likely the Quo Vadis Apts, now demolished. It was on Qu'Appelle Street next to Knox Church. Here's a now and then.
His largest was likely the Quo Vadis Apts, now demolished. It was on Qu'Appelle Street next to Knox Church. Here's a now and then.
1/2 The former Wesley Church has been at William Ave and Juno since 1898. I noticed last year that it was boarded and hoped that the outcome wouldn't be demolition. Another big, old inner-city church bites the dust.
On the bright side, Living Gospel Church received funding...
On the bright side, Living Gospel Church received funding...
July 26, 2025 at 11:46 AM
1/2 The former Wesley Church has been at William Ave and Juno since 1898. I noticed last year that it was boarded and hoped that the outcome wouldn't be demolition. Another big, old inner-city church bites the dust.
On the bright side, Living Gospel Church received funding...
On the bright side, Living Gospel Church received funding...
That era when inner city folk couldn't keep track of their cows. The reward might still be good, so keep your eyes open. (August 7, 1890, Winnipeg Tribune)
July 19, 2025 at 8:03 AM
That era when inner city folk couldn't keep track of their cows. The reward might still be good, so keep your eyes open. (August 7, 1890, Winnipeg Tribune)
I still haven't found a period photo of the Coliseum / Alhambra Dance Hall on Fort Street. Someone sent me a copy of the historic building report created just before its demolition in 1989.
For more about The Coliseum and 225 Fort Street: winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2025/07/225-...
For more about The Coliseum and 225 Fort Street: winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2025/07/225-...
July 16, 2025 at 3:35 AM
I still haven't found a period photo of the Coliseum / Alhambra Dance Hall on Fort Street. Someone sent me a copy of the historic building report created just before its demolition in 1989.
For more about The Coliseum and 225 Fort Street: winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2025/07/225-...
For more about The Coliseum and 225 Fort Street: winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2025/07/225-...
1/2 My latest blog post is a two-fer!
At Winnipeg Places is the history of 225 Fort St., site of the city’s first year-round dance hall from 1912 to 1926 (the Coliseum, then Alhambra). It was then a taxi garage until its demo ca. 1989: winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2025/07/225-...
At Winnipeg Places is the history of 225 Fort St., site of the city’s first year-round dance hall from 1912 to 1926 (the Coliseum, then Alhambra). It was then a taxi garage until its demo ca. 1989: winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2025/07/225-...
July 13, 2025 at 6:55 PM
1/2 My latest blog post is a two-fer!
At Winnipeg Places is the history of 225 Fort St., site of the city’s first year-round dance hall from 1912 to 1926 (the Coliseum, then Alhambra). It was then a taxi garage until its demo ca. 1989: winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2025/07/225-...
At Winnipeg Places is the history of 225 Fort St., site of the city’s first year-round dance hall from 1912 to 1926 (the Coliseum, then Alhambra). It was then a taxi garage until its demo ca. 1989: winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2025/07/225-...
My latest Free Press Community Review column looks at the fromer Lizzie Street Playground off Logan Ave created 85 years ago by the Council of Women of Winnipeg. Recently, it received a new name and a major renovation.
www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communit...
www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communit...
July 3, 2025 at 3:47 PM
My latest Free Press Community Review column looks at the fromer Lizzie Street Playground off Logan Ave created 85 years ago by the Council of Women of Winnipeg. Recently, it received a new name and a major renovation.
www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communit...
www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communit...
My latest blog post is about the death of Peter Hutzel and other workers at Manitoba Gypsum Company formerly of Sargent Avenue: westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-...
July 1, 2025 at 1:17 PM
My latest blog post is about the death of Peter Hutzel and other workers at Manitoba Gypsum Company formerly of Sargent Avenue: westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-...
Why thank you, @cityofwinnipeg, I will enjoy a cool water bottle refill on my walk through the neighbourhood!
June 19, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Why thank you, @cityofwinnipeg, I will enjoy a cool water bottle refill on my walk through the neighbourhood!
In better Stonewall news, Sigs, which was damaged in a big fire last year, has reopened. Gone is the 60s yellow metal siding facade for new stone cladding. They managed to save saved the retro Coke sign!
May 12, 2025 at 3:38 AM
In better Stonewall news, Sigs, which was damaged in a big fire last year, has reopened. Gone is the 60s yellow metal siding facade for new stone cladding. They managed to save saved the retro Coke sign!
My Mom and I went to McLeod House Tearoom in Stonewall three or four times each summer for a bit of a drive and a nice lunch. We were sad to see on Saturday that it permanently closed at the end of September 2024. That's too bad. :(
May 12, 2025 at 3:24 AM
My Mom and I went to McLeod House Tearoom in Stonewall three or four times each summer for a bit of a drive and a nice lunch. We were sad to see on Saturday that it permanently closed at the end of September 2024. That's too bad. :(
My latest column looks at the Princess Opera House fire of May 1892 that destroyed 19 bldgs in what we now call the Exchange District around Chinatown.
Below is an etching by A E Hurssell from the front page of the Wpg Tribune on May 2, 1892. www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communit... #winnipeg
Below is an etching by A E Hurssell from the front page of the Wpg Tribune on May 2, 1892. www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communit... #winnipeg
May 9, 2025 at 5:58 AM
My latest column looks at the Princess Opera House fire of May 1892 that destroyed 19 bldgs in what we now call the Exchange District around Chinatown.
Below is an etching by A E Hurssell from the front page of the Wpg Tribune on May 2, 1892. www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communit... #winnipeg
Below is an etching by A E Hurssell from the front page of the Wpg Tribune on May 2, 1892. www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communit... #winnipeg