Winnipeg Free Press > Media > Point of View > 150th anniversary of Portage and Main

  • A canvasback duck uses the water as a runway for takeoff.
  • Looking out over Dauphin Lake the thawing ice still floats on the lake, and the shore where the ice shove destroyed homes can be seen in the foreground. (Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press)
  • Manitoba Population: It is projected that Manitoba will have 1,385,300 residents as of July 1, 2020, an increase of 9.3% over Statistics Canada's estimate for 2012. Over the eight years, Manitoba's population is projected to increase by an average of 14,800 people annually, yielding an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. This compares to a 1.0% average annual growth rate over the previous eight year period, from 2004 to 2012. Over the 2013 to 2020 period, expected total net migration to Manitoba is 66,500 persons. This is made up of a net inflow of 88,000 international migrants, an outflow of 29,500 persons to other provinces, and 8,000 additional non-permanent residents. Natural increase is expected to add 53,000 persons to the population.
  • Some of these fish are left on Lake Manitoba after they've been caught. Randy Strawa sits in the background after processing some of the days catch. (Jessica Burtnick / Winnipeg Free Press)

Images from around the world chosen by the photo desk at the Winnipeg Free Press.

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  • June 1, 2012

    150th anniversary of Portage and Main

    150 years ago Saturday, a deal was signed for the first store to be built at what would eventually become one of Canada's most famous intersections. In honour of the anniversary of Portage Avenue and Main Street, we dug through our archives in search of historic images of the celebrated corner.

  • Looking north on Main Street from Portage Avenue, undated. The old city hall building can be seen in the distance.

    Looking north on Main Street from Portage Avenue, undated. The old city hall building can be seen in the distance.   (Winnipeg Free Press Archives) Photo Store

  • Portage Avenue and Main Street, seen during the 1919 General Strike.

    Portage Avenue and Main Street, seen during the 1919 General Strike.   (Winnipeg Free Press Archives) Photo Store

  • The view down Portage Avenue at Main Street, 1929.

    The view down Portage Avenue at Main Street, 1929.   (Winnipeg Free Press Archives) Photo Store

  • Main Street looking north from Portage Avenue, undated.

    Main Street looking north from Portage Avenue, undated.   (Winnipeg Free Press Archives) Photo Store

  • Birthday cake is served up at Portage and Main for Winnipeg's 75th anniversary celebrations in June, 1949.

    Birthday cake is served up at Portage and Main for Winnipeg's 75th anniversary celebrations in June, 1949.   (Winnipeg Free Press Archives) Photo Store

  • Portage Avenue and Main Street, looking west down Portage, in 1956.

    Portage Avenue and Main Street, looking west down Portage, in 1956.   (Winnipeg Free Press Archives) Photo Store

  • Portage Avenue and Main Street, November 13, 1958.

    Portage Avenue and Main Street, November 13, 1958.   (Winnipeg Free Press Archives) Photo Store

  • Portage Avenue and Main Street, seen on the July 24, 1959 Royal Visit of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh.

    Portage Avenue and Main Street, seen on the July 24, 1959 Royal Visit of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh.   (Winnipeg Free Press Archives) Photo Store

  • Construction begins in 1967 on the future site of the Richardson Building at Portage and Main.

    Construction begins in 1967 on the future site of the Richardson Building at Portage and Main.   (Winnipeg Free Press Archives) Photo Store

  • Construction starts on the Trizec Building (360 Main Street) and the Winnipeg Square underground mall at Portage and Main, February 22, 1977.

    Construction starts on the Trizec Building (360 Main Street) and the Winnipeg Square underground mall at Portage and Main, February 22, 1977.   (Winnipeg Free Press Archives) Photo Store

  • City crews begin street pavement reconstruction in the Portage Avenue and Main Street area, May 30, 1978. Work included putting in new pavement, replacing existing sidewalks with interlocking paving stone walks and upgrading street lighting on Main Street from Graham Avenue to Lombard Avenue and on Portage Avenue from Fort Street to about 150 feet east of Main.

    City crews begin street pavement reconstruction in the Portage Avenue and Main Street area, May 30, 1978. Work included putting in new pavement, replacing existing sidewalks with interlocking paving stone walks and upgrading street lighting on Main Street from Graham Avenue to Lombard Avenue and on Portage Avenue from Fort Street to about 150 feet east of Main.   (Wayne Glowacki / Winnipeg Free Press Archives) Photo Store

  • City crews begin street pavement reconstruction in the Portage Avenue and Main Street area, May 30, 1978. Work included putting in new pavement, replacing existing sidewalks with interlocking paving stone walks and upgrading street lighting on Main Street from Graham Avenue to Lombard Avenue and on Portage Avenue from Fort Street to about 150 feet east of Main.

    City crews begin street pavement reconstruction in the Portage Avenue and Main Street area, May 30, 1978. Work included putting in new pavement, replacing existing sidewalks with interlocking paving stone walks and upgrading street lighting on Main Street from Graham Avenue to Lombard Avenue and on Portage Avenue from Fort Street to about 150 feet east of Main.   (Wayne Glowacki / Winnipeg Free Press Archives) Photo Store

  • Champagne was the order of the day as Trizec Equities Limited marked the

    Champagne was the order of the day as Trizec Equities Limited marked the "topping off" of the initial phase of Winnipeg Square at Portage and Main, October 24, 1979. To celebrate, construction workers were treated to champagne by a company official, although the view from the top of 31 storeys might have been enough to make some heads swim. The ceremony marked the pouring of the last hopper of concrete on the city's then-tallest building.   (Gerry Cairns / Winnipeg Free Press Archives ) Photo Store

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