To Winnipeg Beach by Car in 1921

by C. E. Parker

Manitoba Pageant, Autumn 1964, Volume 10, Number 1

This article was published originally in Manitoba Pageant by the Manitoba Historical Society on the above date. We make this online version available as a free, public service. As an historical document, the article may contain language and views that are no longer in common use and may be culturally sensitive in nature.

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In the early 1920s, the daring Sunday motorist had a choice of three routes to Winnipeg Beach. All of these routes are set out in the Automobile Road Guide for 1921 published under the auspices of the Winnipeg Automobile Club and Manitoba Motor League and edited by A. C. Emmett.

The introduction to this valuable guide to the motorist of those times says:

"The present issue of the road guide marks the ninth year of its publication. It has been necessary to practically rewrite all routes from year to year to take care of changes brought about by the settlement of the country and the consequent closing off of old trails which are gradually replaced by definitely laid out highways.

Every possible care is taken to present these routes for the benefit of the travelling public in as concise and comprehensive a manner as possible, and it will be noted that the number of miles travelled in any direction, after making a turn is indicated by compass direction, there-by making a double check on the routing information."

Photo: A drive in the country, 1916.
Source: Archives of Manitoba

Remember that in 1921, the C.P.R. ran no excursion trains to Winnipeg Beach. It was not until 1926 that the Imperial Privy Council ruled that Manitoba's Act allowing Sunday operation of trains was ruled to be valid. So, on Sunday, the motorist had his choice of three routes from Winnipeg to Winnipeg Beach.

No. 37

By Lilyfield and Stonewall

65.0 miles

No. 39

The Black and White route

57.6 miles

No. 41

By Selkirk

52.1 miles

The last route, after adjustments through the years, is the now familiar Highway No. 9. But in 1921, it looked like this:

Route No. 41
WINNIPEG TO WINNIPEG BEACH
By Selkirk

Miles

Direction

0.0

WINNIPEG. Leave corner Main and Portage

N 22.4

0.7

Under C.P.R. Subway.

4.1

Under C.P.R. tracks.

10.9

PARKDALE Bridge.

11.4

Turn to River Road on right. Keep north.

16.2

LOCKPORT. Road on right leads to St. Andrews Locks

18.2

Motor Country Club on right.

20.2

MAPLETON. Cross street car track.

21.8

SELKIRK. Post office on right.

22.1

Cross railroad.

22.2

Cross railroad.

22.4

Turn left. Follow main pole line

W 6.3

23.4

Cross C.P.R. and follow railroad.

28.7

Turn right and cross railroad

N 1.2

29.9

Turn left

W 0.9

30.6

Cross C.P.R.

30.8

Turn right. Clandeboye School

N 4.4

32.5

Bridge.

35.2

Cross bridge and turn right

E 0.5

35.4

Cross railroad.

35.6

ST. LOUIS (now Petersfield).

35.7

Turn right

S 0.3

36.0

Turn left

E 1.6

37.6

Turn left

N 5.4

37.7

White house on left.

43.0

Turn left

W 4.0

45.3

Cross C.P.R.

47.0

Turn left

S 0.2

47.2

MATLOCK.

48.2

Cross track and turn right

N 0.2

48.4

Turn left

W 1.1

48.9

WHYTEWOLD (Stone's store).

49.5

Turn right

N 2.4

50.5

Cross railroad.

51.9

Turn right at school and cross railroad

E 0.1

52.0

Turn left at Town Hall

N 0.1

52.1

WINNIPEG BEACH. Wood's Garage.

And for coming home at night, as it states in the Introduction: "All routes are written both inward and outward, thereby saving the trouble to the motorist of having to make their own reversals."

Page revised: 18 July 2009