Historic Sites of Manitoba: Norell House (82 Smithfield Avenue, Winnipeg)

This 1½-storey wood frame house on Smithfield Avenue in West Kildonan (now part of Winnipeg), measuring 27 feet by 44 feet, was designed by local architect Max Zev Blankstein. It was built in 1927 for owner/contractor Axel Martin Norell (1880-1958, father of Kenneth Conrad “Ken” Norell and father-in-law of William Gordon David Ritchie).

Norell House (December 2022) Source: Jordan Makichuk Norell House (November 2023) Source: Kenneth Ingram Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.92890, W97.11632 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Memorable Manitobans: Max Zev Blankstein (1874-1931)

Memorable Manitobans: Kenneth Conrad “Ken” Norell (?-2009)

Memorable Manitobans: William Gordon David Ritchie (1918-1998)

Sources:

Henderson’s Winnipeg and Brandon Directories, Henderson Directories Limited, Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries.

Obituary [Axel Martin Norell], Winnipeg Free Press, 6 August 1958, page 33.

Property Details, Winnipeg Assessment and Taxation.

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

Property Details [82 Smithfield Avenue], Winnipeg Assessment and Taxation.

We thank Kenneth Ingram for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Jordan Makichuk and Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 13 September 2025

Historic Sites of Manitoba This is a collection of historic sites in Manitoba compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. The information is offered for historical interest only. SEARCH the collection Browse lists of: Museums/Archives | Buildings | Monuments | Cemeteries | Locations | Other Inclusion in this collection does not confer special status or protection. Official heritage designation may only come from municipal, provincial, or federal governments. Some sites are on private property and permission to visit must be secured from the owner. Site information is provided by the Manitoba Historical Society as a free public service only for non-commercial purposes. Send corrections and additions to this page to the MHS Webmaster at webmaster@mhs.mb.ca. Search Tips | Suggest an Historic Site | FAQ Help us keep history alive!