by Fred Morris
26 March 2024, updated September 2025
This story deals with Assinboine Avenue between Ferry Road and Parkside Drive.
Isabella Catharine Harris transferred the land for the construction of Assiniboine School. Dolphie Graham was one of Winnipeg's original 1873 residents. In 1894, Dolphie won the Canadian championship in horseshoeing. He fought in both the 1885 North West Rebellion and the First World War. After the First World War, he became a St. James resident.
Several politicians have lived on Assiniboine Avenue. William Carlyle who suddenly died in 1965 served as both a St. James School Trustee and a St. James Alderman. Between 1986 and 2014, Bruce Alexander was a St. James School Trustee. As the School Board Chair, Bruce presided over the difficult decision to close Silver Heights Collegiate. Jae Eadie was a Winnipeg City Councillor for 26 years between 1980 and 2006. In 2004, he served briefly as Acting Mayor after the resignation of Glen Murray.
In 1923, Tom and Beryl Chapman were the first couple to get married at the new St. James Anglican Church on College Street. Tom (1899-1985) was St. James's first solicitor and practiced law as part of the firm of Chapman and Chapman. In 1983, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
Bob Pyne was one of the founders and first Presidents of the Bourkevale Community Club. Bob was instrumental in purchasing an H Hut from the military. The H Hut, after a trip down Ferry Road, became the Bourkevale Club House. Ross Baxter, a Bourkvale Bantam forward, played in the first hockey game at the St. James Civic Centre.
Prior to his 1960 death, Lorne Timlick a resident of Assiniboine operated a Brooklands Restaurant. The restaurant leased space from Brooklands Hotel.
In 1994, Karen Burgoyne was awarded the YM YWCA Peace Medal for her peace activism.
Bill Helgason, a retired educator, leaves treats for dogs on a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree in front of his home. Dog owners often leave cards on the tree. In 2024, CBC did a feature on this Christmas Tradition.
On 10 February 1947, five-year-old Peter Graham fell through the ice of the Assiniboine River. Mabel Crerar and a man who has never been identified pulled him out. On 12 March 1954, three-year-old Roger Cook slipped through the ice. Elmer Nelson and Toby Tucker from West Kildonan rescued Roger and successfully applied resuscitation. On 25 July 2007, a pump was not reopened after regular maintenance. After a sudden torrential downpour, 64 homes were flooded with raw sewage. It took three years for the City to reach a settlement with the residents.
I have decided to compile a list of St. James who worked at Eatons. I noticed several names on this part of Assinboine. In the 1914 Henderson Directory, John Lamontagne was listed as an elevator conductor. Many long-term Eaton's employees are listed as Assiniboine Avenue residents. Thomas Cormie, John Baxter and Thomas Ewart all worked for Eatons for at least 40 years.
In 2023, Assinboine Avenue and the surrounding streets had their speed limits reduced to 30. Slow down and enjoy a great street.
Page revised: 19 July 2026
