westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 26/09/2026A recent Main Street demolition uncovered a ghost sign that has been hidden for 114 years! Here's a look back at two generations of the Deane family and their businesses: westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2026/09/f-w-... 062
Reposted by @westendcassidy.bsky.socialtreeswinnipeg.bsky.social @treeswinnipeg.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Here's the list of trees we will have available at Friday's ReLeaf sale. you can download a version with working hyperlinks at tinyurl.com/FallReLeaf2026 045
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 07/09/2026The history of Manitoba Cartage's Logan Avenue "horse palace", at one time the city's largest and most technologically advanced stable: westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2023/04/mani... 020
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 07/09/2026As summer starts drawing to a close, here's a column I wrote back in 2019 about the forgotten resort called Sans Souci at Matlock, and the Calledes family who owned it: www.winnipegregionalrealestatenews.com/publications... 010
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 24/08/2026712 Langevin Street turns 80! It opened in 1946 as Anderson’s Red and White grocery, and was a food store until store until 2024. It’s now a second location for Prairie Velo bike shop. More about the history of the building: winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2026/08/712-... #Winnipeg 010
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 21/08/2026Visit Ross House Museum on Meade at Euclid before it closes for the season. Open 10am to 4pm, Wed to Sun. FREE admission! The house and family have a great backstory if you like local history. Visit the cairns in the park around the site. Stop at Metro Meat across the street for store-made kulbasa! 010
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 20/08/2026Wow. That 2,000 sf vacant house fire at 35 Argyle Street? I just took photos of it on the weekend to do a house history. City records say the building permit was issued in 1892. The first family to call it home was that of Charles McLaughlin, a jeweller, until 1899. That’s as far as I got. 020
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 19/08/2026Learn about the trees and history of Burnell Street tonight at 6:30 pm! 011
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 16/08/2026Renovations to Home Playground at Sargent and Home are now complete! New grass, playground equipment, and park furniture. It opened 79 years ago as Kiwanis Playground westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2026/07/the-... #Winnipeg 021
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 16/08/2026336 William Ave is a relative newcomer intermixed with former factories and warehouses that date back more than a century. It opened as Boulton Motors, a truck dealership, and is now Little Brown Jug brewery. More on its history: winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2026/08/336-... #winnipeg 020
Reposted by @westendcassidy.bsky.socialtreeswinnipeg.bsky.social @treeswinnipeg.bsky.social · 14/08/2026Uh, oh. Double "orange dot of death" trouble on this block of Powers Street across from St. John's High School. We planted three trees at the school in June and will plant four more this fall. 121
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 15/08/2026I did quick look into the history of the duplex and found a sad story about two young children who lost their father in the war and their mother to disease not long after. Here's a look back at the Wilson family who once called 503 Sherbrook home: westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2026/08/to-c... 042
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 15/08/2026Sad to see that 501-503 Sherbrook burned. It stood out as there are not many ca. 1907 duplexes around. In Feb 2025, it and the next house were inhabited, seemed in good condition, and were sold together. Not sure what happened, but both were soon vacant and boarded up. What a waste. 060
Reposted by @westendcassidy.bsky.socialtreeswinnipeg.bsky.social @treeswinnipeg.bsky.social · 10/08/2026Our next tree walk takes place in the West Broadway neighbourhood! See you at 6:15 our front of Broadway Neighbourhood Centre! Sponsored by: #TDParkPeople #TDReadyCommitment @TD @ParkPeopleCA @TDFEF 001
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 10/08/2026Ellice and Arlington's 96-year run of having at least one gas station operating at the intersection ended in Aug 2024. After 23 months, pumps are back and the tradition continues. A look back at the corner's gas station history: westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2026/02/elli... #winnipeg 011
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 09/08/2026CanadInns has put its three downtown buildings up for sale. The Met Entertainment Centre opened in Jan. 1920 as the Allen Theatre and is a National Historic Site due to it being one of Canada's first "movie palaces". More about its history: winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2009/07/281-... 050
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 07/08/20261/2 A counter-only Liquor Mart opened in the Save-On Foods on McPhillips. I know this about saving space, but could we one day return to more counter-service stores? For around 50 years, you filled out a form, brought it to the counter, and someone fetched it from the back... 220
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 07/08/2026I was on CBC Radio yesterday morning talking about a trio of old downtown buildings with uncertain futures as their tenants leave or are put up for sale. Here's the video: www.youtube.com/live/Lvi2hbK...youtube.comInformation Radio - August 6, 2026 | Winnipeg & Manitoba News, Weather & TrafficYouTube video by CBC News Manitoba 021
Reposted by @westendcassidy.bsky.socialtreeswinnipeg.bsky.social @treeswinnipeg.bsky.social · 03/08/2026Join us Wednesday, August 5 at 6:30 pm for our walk of Vimy Ridge Memorial Park! Meet at the community garden space on the south side. 001
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 03/08/2026The Herzig Building at 345 Donald will soon be empty when Giant Tiger closes. It was constructed by NY investors a century ago as the head office of a provincially-run bank. More about its history: winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2026/08/345-... #winnipegwinnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com345 Donald Street - Herzig Building / Manitoba Savings Office Building / Giant Tiger© 2026, Christian Cassidy Place: Herzig Building / Manitoba Savings Office Building / Giant Tiger store Address: 245 Donald Street, ( Ma... 280
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 01/08/2026The Keg has closed its Garry Street location after 51 years. Here's a look back at the building's history, which started out as a vehicle garage for the HBC. winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2026/07/115-... #winnipeg 171
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 27/07/2026Join me on Wednesday, July 29th, for a walk of historic St. John's Park! Hear about its history, find out about the types of trees planted there, and learn how you can identify trees on your own walks. #Winnipeg 010
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 27/07/2026I wrote about Winnipeg's long history with Daylight Saving Time at the link below. Currently on display at city hall, is a copy of the 1937 referendum ballot. (The vote was 24,771 for and 30,927 against. DST was not implemented.) westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2026/05/winn... #winnipeg 262
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 27/07/2026My latest blog post is about the history of Home Street Playground, formerly Kiwanis Playground No. 3, which has served the neighbourhood for 79 years. It is currently undergoing a major renovation and is expected to open at the end of July. winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2026/07/772-...winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com772 Sargent Avenue - Home Street Playground© 2026 Christian Cassidy. Place: Former Kiwanis Playground No. 3 / Home Street Playground Address: 772 Sargent Avenue at Home Street ( Map )... 001
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 14/07/2026Rest In Peace, Free Press Community Review. The last source of "hyper local" news in the city that let folks know what was going on in their community. 372
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 14/07/2026Home Playground at Sargent and Home is undergoing major renovations. It has served the community for 79 years and was originally known as "Kiwanis Playground No. 3". For more about the history of the post-war Kiwanis playgrounds around the city: westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2026/07/the-... 130
Reposted by @westendcassidy.bsky.socialtreeswinnipeg.bsky.social @treeswinnipeg.bsky.social · 08/07/2026Bad news on the city front. Please contact your councillor to let them know that you do NOT want them to support a $1.2m million cut to the city's tree planting budget. That is a devastating amount: www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews... 142
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 01/07/2026Happy Canada Day! Here's the story of the long and controversial road followed to change the name of the holiday from Dominion Day to Canada Day. First proposed in 1946, it didn't become official until 1983. westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2022/07/the-... 021
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 01/07/2026My latest Free Press Community Review column: Many Winnipeggers have soccer fever as they watch Canada at the World Cup. Locals experienced a similar euphoria a century ago thanks to the United Weston Football Club, which still exists today! Link: www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communit... 010
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 30/06/2026I visited Ecole River Heights School and was struck at the odd orientation of the building. Instead of facing a road or parking lot, as the others with this design do, it faces the side of a rec centre. How did this come about? I try to find out here: westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2026/06/the-...westenddumplings.blogspot.comThe strange orientation of Ecole River Heights SchoolI had a chance to visit Ecole River Heights School for the first time earlier this week. It's a nice little school, but I was struck by ... 110
Reposted by @westendcassidy.bsky.socialtreeswinnipeg.bsky.social @treeswinnipeg.bsky.social · 29/06/2026Here is the final lineup of our free summertime park and community tree and history walks! 011
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 30/06/2026I visited Ecole River Heights School and was struck at the odd orientation of the building. Instead of facing a road or parking lot, as the others with this design do, it faces the side of a rec centre. How did this come about? I try to find out here: westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2026/06/the-... 030
Reposted by @westendcassidy.bsky.socialtreeswinnipeg.bsky.social @treeswinnipeg.bsky.social · 08/06/2026Thanks to everyone who came out to visit or tree plant at our 25th annual Arbor Day Celebration at Bruce Park. In total,200 bare-root trees/shrubs planted along the creek and 12 x 10-gallon trees in the park. Around 600 pine plugs distributed for people to plant at home or the cottage. 061
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 03/06/2026My latest column in the Winnipeg Free Press Community Review, (online today and paper version tomorrow), is a look back at the history of Pantages / Playhouse Theatre: www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communit... 050
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 02/06/2026Part 4/4 of my history of Happyland. In WWI, it reinvents itself as a winter playground & baseball venue. The Fisher family’s unimaginable tragedy puts a damper on its development plans as the residential lots are finally sold off at bargain prices: westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2026/06/a-hi... 020
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 30/05/2026I was honoured to be one of four Manitobans to receive the Lieutenant Governor's Award for Historical Preservation and Promotion at Government House on Tuesday. Read the Manitoba Historical Society announcement: www.facebook.com/share/p/17bD... 2151
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 30/05/2026Part 3 of the history of Happyland. The park struggled even worse under the new owners, and it was eventually stripped of its amusements and buildings (with the help of some elephants). It appeared ready for redevelopment when world events intervened: westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2026/05/a-hi... 010
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 28/05/2026I visited St. James Collegiate today. On a pillar next to each of the front entrances, there is a quote... 000
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 26/05/2026Here's part 2 of my Happyland series. After going bankrupt in the summer of 1908, new ownership took over the park with mixed results: westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2026/05/a-hi...westenddumplings.blogspot.comA history of Happyland - Part II: New Ownership (1909)© 2026, Christian Cassidy Entrance to Happyland ( Martin Berman Postcard Collection ) On Saturday, I appeared in a CTV Winnipeg news story ... 031
Reposted by @westendcassidy.bsky.socialtreeswinnipeg.bsky.social @treeswinnipeg.bsky.social · 25/05/2026Join us at Bruce Park on Saturday, June 6, 2026, for our 25th annual Arbor Day Celebration! 012
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 25/05/2026Happyland held its grand opening on the weekend May 24 - 26, 1906. Here is part one of a three-part deep dive into the history of this "magnificent resort for fun and frolic" that struggled to survive for most of its existence. westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2026/05/a-hi... 263
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 21/05/2026Here's a deep dive into the history of Daylight Saving Time in #Winnipeg. It was a city initiative in 1916, voted on in three civic referenda, imposed twice by the feds during the Wars, and mandated province-wide by the Roblin gov't in 1963. For more: westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2026/05/winn... 120
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 18/05/2026Lost Queen Victoria Monuments 2 of 2: Jubilee Fountain stood in front of the old “gingerbread” city hall. A pond flanked by a bust of Victoria and “The Boy with the Boot” statue. They were reunited at Assiniboine Park over 50 years later. More: winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2026/05/assi... 040
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 18/05/2026Lost Queen Victoria Monuments 1 of 2: The Victoria Memorial, by UK artist Sir George Frampton, sat outside both of MB's legislative buildings. It was a “people's memorial” with funds raised through 1,000s of small donations. More: winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2026/05/mani... 010
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 17/05/2026It’s Victoria Day weeked! As this is the 125th anniversary of Victoria’s death, I thought I would update an old post about the history of Victoria Day in Manitoba and her connections to Canada: westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2010/05/its-... 010
Reposted by @westendcassidy.bsky.socialtreeswinnipeg.bsky.social @treeswinnipeg.bsky.social · 14/05/2026We still have some Silver Maple, Royal Crown Amur Maple, Manitoba Maple, European Mountain Ash, Delta Hackberry, and American Linden (Basswood) in stock! Could these be right for your yard? To read more about their characteristics, check them out at releaf.twreleaf.twReLeaf with Trees WinnipegEvery year, Trees Winnipeg offers a spring and fall ReLeaf Tree Planting Program available to private property owners (commercial, residential, etc.) in Winnipeg. 011
westendcassidy.bsky.social @westendcassidy.bsky.social · 14/05/20261946 was a bad year for pigeons in Winnipeg. They were everywhere. When the health committee looked into what to do about the matter, it discovered how the city had been controlling the pigeon population for the past decade. More: westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2026/05/behi...westenddumplings.blogspot.comBehind the Photo: The pigeon problem of 1946© 2026, Christian Cassidy Often I will see an old photo or advertisment and spend some time digging into its back story. Sometimes I fin... 111
Reposted by @westendcassidy.bsky.socialtreeswinnipeg.bsky.social @treeswinnipeg.bsky.social · 10/05/2026It's almost time for Spring ReLeaf! Trees go on sale Thu at 10 am at ReLeaf.tw Pickup is Sat. May 30, 10am - 2pm at Bronx Park Community Ctr on Henderson Hwy. For more info, see below or click here to download a pdf version with working hyperlinks: tinyurl.com/35wdjykf 022
