Built in 1894 by Enoch Winkler, who had worked as a translator for the German-speaking Mennonite immigrants to Manitoba, this building in Gretna is a municipally designated historic site as of 1996.
In 1901, Winkler sold the house to Alexander C. Smith for the sum of $5,000 and members of the Smith family owned the house for nearly 80 years. The servant quarters on the north (back) side of the house were removed in the 1930s. Further renovation occurred between 1987 and 1989, when it was purchased by its present owners, Lester and Laurie Schellenberg. They have continued to restore the building by re-pointing the foundation and chimney, and rebuilding the front verandah.
Winkler House / Smith House (1901)
Source: Betty Smith
Winkler House / Smith House (May 2019)
Source: George Penner
Winkler House / Smith House (November 2019)
Source: Rose KuzinaSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.008121, W97.563791
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Enoch Winkler (1852-1928)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites
Winkler House, 590 Hespeler Avenue, Gretna, Manitoba Historic Resources Branch.
We thank Jeff Dyck, Betty Smith, George Penner, and Rose Kuzina for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 4 February 2022
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.
Browse lists of:
Museums/Archives | Buildings | Monuments | Cemeteries | Locations | OtherInclusion 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.Help us keep history alive!
