Historic Sites of Manitoba: Glesby Stable / Western Horse Exchange Building / Western Buckwheat Milling Building (536 King Street, Winnipeg)

Formerly located on King Street in Winnipeg, a two-storey cream brick and Tyndall stone trimmed building, measuring 34 feet by 97 feet, was designed by local architect Max Zev Blankstein and built in 1911 by day labour at a cost of about $8,000 for owner Harry Glesby (1873-?). He was a coal and wood wholesaler and he used the building as a stable for up to 33 horses.

By early 1913, the building was owned by the Western Horse Exchange which bought and sold horses into the early 1920s. The building was later used as a milling facility by the Western Buckwheat Milling Company under proprietor Harry William Binsky (?-1953).

The building was demolished sometime after 1956 and the site is now part of the David Livingstone School grounds.

The former Glesby Stable

The former Glesby Stable (no date)
Source: Historical Buildings and Resources Committee Collection, Planning, Property & Development, City of Winnipeg

Rear of the former Glesby Stable

Rear of the former Glesby Stable (no date)
Source: Historical Buildings and Resources Committee Collection, Planning, Property & Development, City of Winnipeg

Architectural plan for the front elevation of the Glesby Stable

Architectural plan for the front elevation of the Glesby Stable (1911)
Source: Records Control Branch, City of Winnipeg

Architectural plan for the side elevation of the Glesby Stable

Architectural plan for the side elevation of the Glesby Stable (1911)
Source: Records Control Branch, City of Winnipeg

Architectural plan for the cross section of the Glesby Stable

Architectural plan for the cross section of the Glesby Stable (1911)
Source: Records Control Branch, City of Winnipeg

Architectural plan for the foundation of the Glesby Stable

Architectural plan for the foundation of the Glesby Stable (1911)
Source: Records Control Branch, City of Winnipeg

Architectural plan for the ground floor of the Glesby Stable

Architectural plan for the ground floor of the Glesby Stable (1911)
Source: Records Control Branch, City of Winnipeg

Architectural plan for the second floor of the Glesby Stable

Architectural plan for the second floor of the Glesby Stable (1911)
Source: Records Control Branch, City of Winnipeg

Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.91137, W97.13520
denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Memorable Manitobans: Max Zev Blankstein (1874-1931)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Glesby Stable / Aberdeen Garage (468 Aberdeen Avenue, Winnipeg)

Sources:

City of Winnipeg Building Permit 2922/1911, City of Winnipeg Archives.

1911 Canada census, Automated Genealogy.

“Coal dealer fined,” Winnipeg Tribune, 2 December 1911, page 2.

“Two carloads of horses,” Manitoba Free Press, 28 January 1913, page 21.

“For sale, horses,” Manitoba Free Press, 6 March 1918, page 13.

“One carload of good quality horses,” Manitoba Free Press, 4 July 1919, page 15.

“Horses, cattle, & vehicles,” Manitoba Free Press, 5 September 1919, page 16.

“The Western Horse Exchange, 536 King St.,” Manitoba Free Press, 15 March 1920, page 2.

“Health Committee hears bubonic plague warning,” Winnipeg Tribune, 21 February 1952, page 19.

“H. W. Binsky dies; ran milling firm,” Winnipeg Free Press, 23 June 1953, page 34.

Winnipeg fire insurance map, #273 May 1956, City of Winnipeg Archives.

Max Blankstein: Architect by Murray Peterson, Winnipeg Architecture Foundation, 2022.

We thank Murray Peterson for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Jordan Makichuk.

Page revised: 21 February 2026

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