by Fred Morris
18 June 2023, revised April 2026
Magnus Pearson a tailor was a long-time resident of 350 Avard Street in the Golden Gate neighbourhood. On 18 December 1953, Mr. Pearson is quoted in a Winnipeg Free Press story in celebration of his 94th birthday
“think straight, deal straight, and talk straight”
In 1911, the Manitoba Free Press and the Winnipeg Tribune ran advertisement for the Golden Gate Park neighbourhood. The streets from east to west were Avard, Ragnar, and Ainslie Street. Avard and Ragnar no longer exist. Ainslie Street residents J. Hacker, John Fisher, and Sidney John Peerless are the first Ainslie street listed in the 1911 Henderson Directory. William Dure operated stores in both Hallock and Williams, Minnesota. In 1903, Mr. Dure established the Post Office in Williams. Between 1912 and 1917, Mr. Dure operated the Golden Gate Grocery Store and Post Office at 2523 Portage Avenue. During the middle 1920s, William Hughes and William Rowan, Sturgeon Creek United Church pastors, lived in the church's Ainslie street manse. Between 1930 and 1959, Alex LeDuke operated a restaurant, night club, and dance floor at 2523 Portage. A building at Aldine and Portage is named after Mr. Leduke. John Mayor was the proprietor of a Langside Street auto repair shop. Daniel Larsen the second generation of Larsen Memorial resided on Ainslie.
After returning from the First World War, Percy Rumer, despite war-related health issues became the President of the Great War Veterans Association which became the Winnipeg Legion. Percy became an advocate for the issues of veterans. His wife Carrie Rumer served as the President of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Great War Veterans Association.
In 1935, Don Birch of Ragnar Street scored 97.3% when he obtained his Master of Laws Degree from the Chicago Law School. In 1941, Catharine Rourke’s poem “The Stars” was featured on the Winnipeg Free Press Young Authors page.
In 1932, The Sturgeon Creek Community Club was founded. Between 1939 and 1957, the Henderson Directory listed 212 Ragnar Street as the Club’s address. The address has previously been listed as the home of Alix McPherson. The club hosted ice carnivals, horticultural fairs, New Years Eves Dances, and carpet bowling. During this era, Edward Knudson of Harcourt Street, and REVEREND TOM MARSHALL of St. Andrews Anglican were a couple of the Club Presidents. On 3 April 1937, a fundraising concert was held for the family of Charles and Lillian Parkes. The Parkes had lost their home and store at 2583 Portage due to a fire. The Community Club is now located at 210 Rita Street.
Esther Ward was an organist for the Sturgeons Creek United Church. Ainslie Street residents Daniel Casavant and Gary Madder joined DANA HONEY and Bryan Dolet to form a Winnipeg band called the Collectors.
In 1963, Shelley Anderson won a prize for her tap dancing on the CBWT Junior High Lite Show. Another CBC show Reach for the Top was a Quiz Show for High School students. Lincolin Lautermilch a teacher coached the St. James Collegiate team. In 1966, Tracy Dawn Essery the daughter of Robert Jr. and Alice Essery won the Baby Contest at the Red River Exhibition.
GORDON GLEGHORN had a long career in Radiology, including a stint as the Head of Radiology Department at the Misericordia Hospital. Raymond Chan was the Executive Chef at the Viscount for over two decades. Stephen Jarvis worked over 31 years as a St. James Assiniboia School custodian.
Around 1970, the Lady Ainslie Apartments at 479 Ainslie was constructed. This apartment block became home to two well-known St. James Hockey goaltenders. Ray Fogg was both a hockey and lacrosse goaltender. In 1945, Ray backstopped Assiniboine School to the Junior High School Hockey title. In 1968, Ken Kirton led the MJHL St. James Canadians to upset victories in three straight playoff series and the MJHL,s Turnbull Cup. The Canadians eventually lost to the Westfort Canadians.
In 2004, BINA and GORDON GLEGHORN celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. During the early days of St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, GLEN, ELEANOR, and their daughter DOROTHY resided on Ainslie. Another St. Stephen's family the LINQUISTS PAUL, PEGGY, BARBARA, KAREN, and GARY were Ainslie street residents.
In more recent times, the Thursday Night CHURCH OF ST. STEPHEN & ST. BEDE Supper Club has often dined at the Boston Pizza located where Duke’s Barbecue once stood.
NOTE: This story is part of the 70th anniversary of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church Celebration. Highlighted names have a connection to St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church.
Page revised: 25 June 2026
