Transcona, Manitoba
Encyclopedia
Transcona is a suburb of Winnipeg
, Manitoba
, Canada
located about 10 kilometres (6 miles) east of the downtown area. Until 1972 it was a separate municipality, having been incorporated first as the Town of Transcona in 1912 and then as the City of Transcona in 1961. Today it is represented by the Transcona city ward, represented by a member of Winnipeg City Council
, and, with slightly different boundaries, the Transcona neighbourhood cluster.
It is primarily a working class
residential suburb with some light industry.
and National Transcontinental
Railways. Its name is derived from combining Transcontinental with Strathcona, the name of Donald Smith, Lord Strathcona, a former Manitoban who was instrumental in building Canada's first railway. Today the successor to these railways, Canadian National Railway
, is still a major employer in the community. CNR 2747 a Class N-5-c, 2-8-0 steam locomotive on display at the corner of Plessis Road and Kildare Ave. in the Kiwanis Park courtesy of the Winnipeg Railway Museum
. The locomotive is the first steam locomotive built totally in the west at CNR Transcona Shops in 1926.
1908 - Grand Trunk Pacific (GTP) decides on Transcona as location for railway shops and buys 800 acres (3.2 km²) of land. Name of Transcona adopted for future town.
1909 - Hanley Quinlan and Robertson start work on excavation for the foundation of the new shops.
1910 - On January 1 the first steel pillar is raised in the new shop building, and the Post Office opened.
1911 - On February 10 the first Board of Trade
is organized.
1912 - On April 6 the Town of Transcona receives its charter, and on November 12 Municipal offices and Fire Hall opened for Public Inspection. The first electric light and power installed from Point du Bois
. Central School officially opened but classes do not begin until 1913.
1913 - On January 18 Canadian National Railway
(CNR) shops opened, on April 10 Mayor Transcona presents Morley Donaldson, Vice-President of GTP, with golden key as memento of shop opening. CPR builds grain elevator and opens yards. In October, the grain elevator tilts due to failure of its foundations, becoming a textbook example of the importance of soil mechanics
. It is later restored.
1914 - Sewage system installed.
1915-1918 - CNR shops engaged in manufacture of munitions.
1918 - Shoal Lake
water connection for Town. Transcona athletic organization.
1919 - Biggest sports field in Transcona's history held.
1921 - Having run out of money, the town council dissolves and the town is run by administrators from the province until 1927.
1926 - First locomotive built in CNR shops.
1929 - New post office built
1930 - Transcona Horticultural Society organized
1933 - Effects of the Great Depression
hit Transcona. At the peak the town is paying the rent for 192 families.
1942 - HMCS Transcona is commissioned, a Bangor-class minesweeper named for the town. It participates in antisubmarine combat in the North Atlantic in December 1944.
1950 - The Red River floods. Some Winnipeg residents are temporarily sheltered in Transcona churches.
1961 - Becomes City of Transcona
1972 - Amalgamated with the City of Winnipeg along with 11 other communities.
and the Perimeter Highway located immediately to the east of the built-up area.
of the Conservative Party of Canada
and in the Manitoba Legislature by Daryl Reid
, of the New Democratic Party of Manitoba
.
The neighbourhood has several elementary schools: Bernie Wolfe Community School
, Ecole Centrale (Winnipeg)
, Ecole Margaret-Underhill
, Harold Hatcher Elementary School
, Joseph Teres School, Radisson School
, Wayoata Elementary School
, Westview Elementary School (Winnipeg), and middle schools: Arthur Day Middle School
, Bernie Wolfe Community School
, Ecole Regent Park School
, John W. Gunn Middle School, and three high schools; Transcona Collegiate Institute
(TCI), Murdoch MacKay Collegiate
, and the French-immersion Collège Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau
--the first public building named after the former Prime Minister.
In 1959, the Transcona-Springfield School Division was created. School Division No.12 was a joint amalgamation between the town of Transcona and the Municipality of Springfield. Although a School Board of nine officials overlooked the joint amalgamation, the administration of the Transcona School District No. 39 and Municipality of Springfield did not actually merge until 1967. In 2002, the Transcona-Springfield School Division and River East School Division united together and became the River East Transcona School Division.
, former MuchMusic
on-air personality Bradford How
, athletes Terry Fox
and Olympic
speed skater Susan Auch
.
In 2005, on the heels of CBC's well known "The Greatest Canadian" series, the Transcona Historical Museum decided to sponsor their own local version: "The Greatest Transconian". Exemplifying the attributes of extraordinary character, service, and dedication, citizen Paul Martin was given the distinct honour of becoming the Greatest Transconian. Mr. Martin is a World War II veteran with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, a long serving City Councillor, former Mayor of Transcona, member of the School Board, and was influential in creating the Transcona Historical Museum.
Three major community clubs and two indoor arenas can be found within the neighbourhood. Park City West, Oxford Heights, and East End Community Clubs organize a variety of recreational activities, while East End and Roland Michener
arenas host most on-ice activities.
From 1983 up until September 10, 2011, Transcona was represented by the Transcona Railers Hockey team in the MMJHL who play out of the Roland Michener Arena. They were disbanded because the team found it hard to draw players of the required skill levels and numbers.
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
, Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
located about 10 kilometres (6 miles) east of the downtown area. Until 1972 it was a separate municipality, having been incorporated first as the Town of Transcona in 1912 and then as the City of Transcona in 1961. Today it is represented by the Transcona city ward, represented by a member of Winnipeg City Council
Winnipeg City Council
The Winnipeg City Council is the governing body of the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.Members represent wards throughout the city, and are known as councillors.-2006-2010:Council elected in the 2006 election:-2010-2014:...
, and, with slightly different boundaries, the Transcona neighbourhood cluster.
It is primarily a working class
Working class
Working class is a term used in the social sciences and in ordinary conversation to describe those employed in lower tier jobs , often extending to those in unemployment or otherwise possessing below-average incomes...
residential suburb with some light industry.
History
Transcona was founded in 1909 as the site of the repair shops for the Grand Trunk PacificGrand Trunk Pacific Railway
The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway was a historical Canadian railway.A wholly owned subsidiary of the Grand Trunk Railway , the GTPR was constructed by GTR using loans provided by the Government of Canada. The company was formed in 1903 with a mandate to build west from Winnipeg, Manitoba to the...
and National Transcontinental
National Transcontinental Railway
The National Transcontinental Railway was a historic Canadian railway between Winnipeg and Moncton. Much of the line is now operated by the Canadian National Railway.-The Grand Trunk partnership:...
Railways. Its name is derived from combining Transcontinental with Strathcona, the name of Donald Smith, Lord Strathcona, a former Manitoban who was instrumental in building Canada's first railway. Today the successor to these railways, Canadian National Railway
Canadian National Railway
The Canadian National Railway Company is a Canadian Class I railway headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. CN's slogan is "North America's Railroad"....
, is still a major employer in the community. CNR 2747 a Class N-5-c, 2-8-0 steam locomotive on display at the corner of Plessis Road and Kildare Ave. in the Kiwanis Park courtesy of the Winnipeg Railway Museum
Winnipeg Railway Museum
The Winnipeg Railway Museum is a non-profit organization operated by volunteers from the Midwestern Rail Association. The museum is located on tracks 1 and 2 within Winnipeg's Via Rail operated Union Station in Manitoba, Canada.- Overview :...
. The locomotive is the first steam locomotive built totally in the west at CNR Transcona Shops in 1926.
Timeline
1907 - Canadian Pacific builds railway through district (CPR).1908 - Grand Trunk Pacific (GTP) decides on Transcona as location for railway shops and buys 800 acres (3.2 km²) of land. Name of Transcona adopted for future town.
1909 - Hanley Quinlan and Robertson start work on excavation for the foundation of the new shops.
1910 - On January 1 the first steel pillar is raised in the new shop building, and the Post Office opened.
1911 - On February 10 the first Board of Trade
Board of Trade
The Board of Trade is a committee of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom, originating as a committee of inquiry in the 17th century and evolving gradually into a government department with a diverse range of functions...
is organized.
1912 - On April 6 the Town of Transcona receives its charter, and on November 12 Municipal offices and Fire Hall opened for Public Inspection. The first electric light and power installed from Point du Bois
Manitoba Hydro
Manitoba Hydro is the electric power and natural gas utility in the province of Manitoba, Canada. Founded in 1961, it is a provincial Crown Corporation, governed by the Manitoba Hydro-Electric Board and the Manitoba Hydro Act. Today the company operates 15 interconnected generating stations. It has...
. Central School officially opened but classes do not begin until 1913.
1913 - On January 18 Canadian National Railway
Canadian National Railway
The Canadian National Railway Company is a Canadian Class I railway headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. CN's slogan is "North America's Railroad"....
(CNR) shops opened, on April 10 Mayor Transcona presents Morley Donaldson, Vice-President of GTP, with golden key as memento of shop opening. CPR builds grain elevator and opens yards. In October, the grain elevator tilts due to failure of its foundations, becoming a textbook example of the importance of soil mechanics
Soil mechanics
Soil mechanics is a branch of engineering mechanics that describes the behavior of soils. It differs from fluid mechanics and solid mechanics in the sense that soils consist of a heterogeneous mixture of fluids and particles but soil may also contain organic solids, liquids, and gasses and other...
. It is later restored.
1914 - Sewage system installed.
1915-1918 - CNR shops engaged in manufacture of munitions.
1918 - Shoal Lake
Shoal Lake
Shoal Lake is a lake in extreme west of Ontario, Canada, northwest of Lake of the Woods. Depending on the water level of Lake of the Woods, Shoal Lake runs both into and out of Lake of the Woods and, for many practical purposes, is part of that lake....
water connection for Town. Transcona athletic organization.
1919 - Biggest sports field in Transcona's history held.
1921 - Having run out of money, the town council dissolves and the town is run by administrators from the province until 1927.
1926 - First locomotive built in CNR shops.
1929 - New post office built
1930 - Transcona Horticultural Society organized
1933 - Effects of the Great Depression
Great Depression in Canada
Canada was hit hard by the Great Depression. Between 1929 and 1939, the gross national product dropped 40% . Unemployment reached 27% at the depth of the Depression in 1933...
hit Transcona. At the peak the town is paying the rent for 192 families.
1942 - HMCS Transcona is commissioned, a Bangor-class minesweeper named for the town. It participates in antisubmarine combat in the North Atlantic in December 1944.
1950 - The Red River floods. Some Winnipeg residents are temporarily sheltered in Transcona churches.
1961 - Becomes City of Transcona
1972 - Amalgamated with the City of Winnipeg along with 11 other communities.
Geography and population
Transcona is home to 32,078 residents as of the 2001 census (source Statistics Canada) and is continuing to expand. Though the majority of the area consists of houses built several decades ago, there are newer developments located in the east and northwest sections of the community including Canterbury Park, Lakeside Meadows and Mission Gardens. Transcona's future development is limited by the presence of the Red River FloodwayRed River Floodway
The Red River Floodway is an artificial flood control waterway in Western Canada, first used in 1969. It is a long channel which, during flood periods, takes part of the Red River's flow around the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba to the east and discharges it back into the Red River below the dam at...
and the Perimeter Highway located immediately to the east of the built-up area.
Education and government
It is represented in the Canadian House of Commons by Lawrence ToetLawrence Toet
Lawrence Toet is a Canadian politician. He was elected to the Canadian House of Commons for the federal Conservative Party of Canada in the 2011 election, representing the electoral district of Elmwood—Transcona.-Before politics:...
of the Conservative Party of Canada
Conservative Party of Canada
The Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
and in the Manitoba Legislature by Daryl Reid
Daryl Reid
Daryl Gary Reid is a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He has represented the electoral division of Transcona in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba since 1990, serving as a member of the New Democratic Party.-Early life and career:...
, of the New Democratic Party of Manitoba
New Democratic Party of Manitoba
The New Democratic Party of Manitoba is a social-democratic political party in Manitoba, Canada. It is the provincial wing of the federal New Democratic Party, and is a successor to the Manitoba Co-operative Commonwealth Federation...
.
The neighbourhood has several elementary schools: Bernie Wolfe Community School
Bernie Wolfe Community School
Bernie Wolfe Community School is a K-8 school that is part of River East Transcona School Division in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It was named for a former deputy mayor of Winnipeg, and long-time resident of Transcona, Bernie Wolfe...
, Ecole Centrale (Winnipeg)
École Centrale (Winnipeg)
École Centrale is part of River East Transcona School Division in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It was originally part of Transcona Central School.Transcona Central School was built in 1913, one year after the town of Transcona, Manitoba was officially incorporated...
, Ecole Margaret-Underhill
École Margaret-Underhill
École Margaret-Underhill, originally Margaret Underhill Elementary School, is part of Transcona-Springfield School Division #12 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It was built in 1965 and named after the first female teacher to become a principal in Transcona...
, Harold Hatcher Elementary School
Harold Hatcher Elementary School
Harold Hatcher Elementary School is part of River East Transcona School Division in Winnipeg, Manitoba.Construction of Harold Hatcher Elementary School began February 1974, but it was not until April 1975 that it was completed. The official opening was held on October 3, 1975...
, Joseph Teres School, Radisson School
Radisson School
Radisson School, originally Radisson Elementary School, is part of River East Transcona School Division in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It was built in 1957 and was originally an eight-room building. Radisson was named for famed fur trader Pierre-Esprit Radisson, the unanimous choice of the students...
, Wayoata Elementary School
Wayoata Elementary School
Wayoata Elementary School is part of River East Transcona School Division in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It and its “twin”, École Regent Park School, were officially opened in the same week in February 1960, although some classes had been in session in both schools since December 1959.In the beginning,...
, Westview Elementary School (Winnipeg), and middle schools: Arthur Day Middle School
Arthur Day Middle School
Arthur Day Middle School is part of River East Transcona School Division in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It was built in 1969 and named after Arthur Henry Day for the outstanding contribution he made to education in Manitoba...
, Bernie Wolfe Community School
Bernie Wolfe Community School
Bernie Wolfe Community School is a K-8 school that is part of River East Transcona School Division in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It was named for a former deputy mayor of Winnipeg, and long-time resident of Transcona, Bernie Wolfe...
, Ecole Regent Park School
École Regent Park School
École Regent Park, originally Regent Park Elementary School, was built in 1959 and is part of River East Transcona School Division in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The construction of the school was delayed because of a steel strike, so the registered pupils attended Westview School on staggered hours until...
, John W. Gunn Middle School, and three high schools; Transcona Collegiate Institute
Transcona Collegiate Institute
Transcona Collegiate Institute is a secondary education institution located in the Transcona suburb of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Transcona Collegiate offers a full academic program for grades nine through twelve....
(TCI), Murdoch MacKay Collegiate
Murdoch MacKay Collegiate
Murdoch MacKay Collegiate is a public, co-ed high school located in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is part of the River East Transcona School Division in Winnipeg, Manitoba.-History:...
, and the French-immersion Collège Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau
Collège Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau
Collège Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau is part of River East Transcona School Division in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It opened its doors in September 1990 with a population of 140 students and 14 teachers. By 2006, the school had grown to 330 students and a staff of 21 teachers. In 2006, Collège...
--the first public building named after the former Prime Minister.
In 1959, the Transcona-Springfield School Division was created. School Division No.12 was a joint amalgamation between the town of Transcona and the Municipality of Springfield. Although a School Board of nine officials overlooked the joint amalgamation, the administration of the Transcona School District No. 39 and Municipality of Springfield did not actually merge until 1967. In 2002, the Transcona-Springfield School Division and River East School Division united together and became the River East Transcona School Division.
People who grew up in Transcona
The neighbourhood has produced several minor celebrities, including sports commentator Rod BlackRod Black
Rod Black is a Canadian sports announcer for TSN and CTV Sports. He calls games for the CFL, occasionally for the The NHL on TSN, and used to call games for the Toronto Blue Jays, ending in 2009. He also calls Canadian golf tournaments for the PGA, on occasion bowling tournaments, curling, boxing ...
, former MuchMusic
MuchMusic
MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
on-air personality Bradford How
Bradford How
Bradford How was a MuchMusic VJ from 2000 to 2003. He won the 2000 MuchMusic VJ Search, and became one of the channel's most well-liked video jockeys. After stints hosting Electric Circus and Gonna Meet A Rockstar, among other shows, he left MuchMusic on October 30, 2003 to pursue other ambitions...
, athletes Terry Fox
Terry Fox
Terrance Stanley "Terry" Fox , was a Canadian humanitarian, athlete, and cancer research activist. In 1980, with one leg having been amputated, he embarked on a cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer research...
and Olympic
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
speed skater Susan Auch
Susan Auch
Susan Auch is a speed skater who competed in several Winter Olympics games, winning the bronze in the 3000 m. relay at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, and the silver in the 500 m. events at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway and the 1998 games at Nagano, Japan...
.
In 2005, on the heels of CBC's well known "The Greatest Canadian" series, the Transcona Historical Museum decided to sponsor their own local version: "The Greatest Transconian". Exemplifying the attributes of extraordinary character, service, and dedication, citizen Paul Martin was given the distinct honour of becoming the Greatest Transconian. Mr. Martin is a World War II veteran with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, a long serving City Councillor, former Mayor of Transcona, member of the School Board, and was influential in creating the Transcona Historical Museum.
Sport and recreation
Transcona is also the home of Football Manitoba sports team the Transcona Nationals which has age groups ranging from 7 all the way to 21.Three major community clubs and two indoor arenas can be found within the neighbourhood. Park City West, Oxford Heights, and East End Community Clubs organize a variety of recreational activities, while East End and Roland Michener
Roland Michener
Daniel Roland Michener , commonly known as Roland Michener, was a Canadian lawyer, politician, and diplomat who served as Governor General of Canada, the 20th since Canadian Confederation....
arenas host most on-ice activities.
From 1983 up until September 10, 2011, Transcona was represented by the Transcona Railers Hockey team in the MMJHL who play out of the Roland Michener Arena. They were disbanded because the team found it hard to draw players of the required skill levels and numbers.
| Team | Founded | League | Arena | Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transcona Railers | 1983 | MMJHL | Roland Michener Arena | 3 |
See also
- For the film production companyProduction companyA production company provides the physical basis for works in the realms of the performing arts, new media art, film, television, radio, and video.- Tasks and functions :...
Transcona Enterprises, see Judy GarlandJudy GarlandJudy Garland was an American actress and singer. Through a career that spanned 45 of her 47 years and for her renowned contralto voice, she attained international stardom as an actress in musical and dramatic roles, as a recording artist and on the concert stage... - Transcona (electoral district)Transcona (electoral district)Transcona is a provincial electoral division in the Canadian province of Manitoba. The riding was created by redistribution in 1968, and has formally existed since the 1969 provincial election....
- Transcona Historical MuseumTranscona Historical MuseumTranscona Historical Museum is a Museum in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada that maintains and promotes the history, stories and community spirit of Transcona. The Museum was founded in 1967 as Transcona’s Centennial Project celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada. Today, the...