Historic Sites of Manitoba: Pierre Gaultier de La Verendrye Plaque (Bonnycastle Park, Winnipeg)

A native of Trois-Rivieres, soldier, trader and explorer La Verendrye founded the first white settlements on the Canadian prairies. Between 1731 and 1743, he and his sons established several posts beyond Lake Superior which became the bases for French exploration of the West. Among these were Forts Saint Piere, Rouge, and La Reine, now Fort Frances, Winnipeg, and Portage la Prairie, respectively. Discouraged by lack of official support, he retired to Montreal in 1744. In his own words, his life had been devoted to “la gloire du Roy et le bien de la Colonie.” A commemorative plaque in Bonnycastle Park was erected by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

Pierre Gaultier de La Verendrye Plaque (2009) Source: City of Winnipeg Pierre Gaultier de La Verendrye Plaque (October 2024) Source: George Penner Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.88582, W97.13459 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: La Verendrye Monument (Legislative Building, Winnipeg)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Pierre Gaultier de La Verendrye Plaque (The Forks, Winnipeg)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: La Verendrye Park / Red River Settlement (Tache Avenue, Winnipeg)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Manitoba Plaques for Persons, Events and Sites of National Historic Significance

Sources:

Information for this page was provided by The City of Winnipeg’s Planning, Property and Development Department, which acknowledges the contribution of the Government of Manitoba through its Heritage Grants Program.

We thank George Penner for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 19 February 2025

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