by Fred Morris
updated August 2025
Albany is the only street between Inglewood and Winchester that still has houses south of Portage and north of Silver.
Bruce Park now stands on the land of the Bruce Family.
In 1933, the Bruce family donated their land to St. James on the condition that it remain a green space for all to enjoy. The Lilac Bushes at the Gates of Bruce Park were planted by James Bruce. James and Anne were married for 69 years. Peter and Catharine (nee Hallett) Bruce farmed the land. Also, Peter built many St. James and Charleswood houses. The Park includes the Cenotaph where Remembrance Day services are held, the A. W. Hanks Walkway, and a wading pool. The pool was partially financed by $500 donation in 1936 from John Guest. In 1992, the Friends of Bruce Park were formed to help maintain the park.
In 1951, a delegation of 300 citizens appeared before St. James in an unsuccessful attempt to stop a liquor license for the under-construction Assiniboine Hotel. The Hotel on the north west corner of Albany and Portage opened the following year. In 1961, a motel opened on the north east corner of Albany and Portage. In order to facilitate these projects including the parking lots, nine houses were demolished.
During the First World War, Henry Cull built the greenhouses around his Albany Street home. Henry grew flowers to sell at his flower shops. In a 1917 advertisement the listed prices included 35 cents for pansies and 50 cents for a geranium plant. After the Second World War, the greenhouses were owned by the Cholakis Family of Broadway Florists. Newspaper advertisements featuring Ernest Sr. and his five sons promoted sales at the greenhouses. Between 1951 and 1963, John Nicholas Cholakis, one of the sons, operated the greenhouses. John, Harriet and daughters Bertha and Angela family lived on site. In 1963, John Nicholas Cholakis bought Headingly's Nick's Inn. It is currently owned and operated by John's daughter Bertha. During the 1980s, the greenhouses were demolished and replaced by eight new homes.
In 1924, a grocery store was built at 268 Albany Street. Charles Hinchliffe, John Edwards, and Michael Russin owned the store and lived on site. After Russin's retirement, the store became a Mini Mart. In 1978, Harry and Jean Monk bought the building for their family business College Electric. In 2007, College Electric won a 50-year dealership award. College Electric recently relocated. The building is currently occupied by Next Gen Plumbing and Heating.
In 1957, Deer Lodge Junior High School opened. In 1960, an addition was built. Ron McIntosh was the first Principal of the school. When the school was constructed, five houses were demolished. In 1965, two more houses right on the south west corner of Ness and Albany surrounded on two sides by the school were demolished. In retrospect, I question whether the 1965 demolition of these homes was necessary. The School closed in 1982. In recent years, the building has been used as the Provincial Info Resource Centre and as a school for the 2011 Lake St. Martin evacuees. As of August 2025, the building is vacant.
In 1907 Lars Larson, a carpenter, became the first Albany Street resident to be listed in the Henderson Directory.
Gordon Audley won a bronze medal in the 1952 Oslo Olympics. Gordon was Canada's flag bearer in the opening ceremonies. In 1988, he was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame. Alex D. and Annabelle Welsh held executive positions with the Deer Lodge Curling Club. Annabelle was the President and a Life Member of the Deer Lodge Ladies Curling Club. Also, Anabelle was a Life Member of the Manitoba Ladies Curling Association. Their sons Jimmie and Alex W. who grew up on Albany Street won the 1947 Brier. The 1947 Jimmie Welsh Championship team is in the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame. Maurice Smith was the long-time Sports Editor of the Winnipeg Free Press. Maurice helped create the National School Boys Curling Championship and is a member of the CFL, and Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fames. Bob Spencer coached hockey at the Deer Lodge Community Club. In 1965 his Deer Lodge Bantam B team won the provincial championship. The team played and won the first St. James Civic Centre Hockey game. Walter Barg was a member of this great team.
The accomplishments of the young people of Albany street are frequently mentioned in the newspaper archives. In 1916 Margaret Taylor's writing entitled a scholar appeared in the Tribune Junior Club. In 1924, Alex Buchanan, Jean Buchanan, and Winfred Brynjolfsson won prizes in the Winnipeg Free Press colouring contest. The Margaret and Abe Barg is annually awarded to a graduating Sisler High student.
Margaret Barg lived to become a centenarian.
Alexander Edward MacGregor worked at Eatons as a clerk. Sadly, Alexander perished in the Second World War at the age of 25. Alexander is remembered on the Eatons War Memorial. Al Lennox was a member of the Second World War Devils Brigade. Mr. Lennox, an Eaton's piano salesman, sold Burton Cummings his first piano. Between 1948 and 1977, Jack Hallett worked both as a buyer for the Eatons Catalogue Department and a Store Supervisor. Bernice Hallett worked at Eaton's Downtown at the watch and jewelry repair counter.
On 31 October 1967, a sculpture of a deer created by Wayne Bruecker was unveiled in front of the east end of Deer Lodge School. School Principal John Pemberton, Vice Principal Len Goldsborough, and Student President Robyn Johnston are pictured in the Free Press at an unveiling ceremony. This centennial project was partially funded by the students. Sadly, the deer has been misplaced. Does anyone know where it is?
Page revised: 30 June 2026
