Celebrating all that Transcona is and was

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/07/2019 (2511 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Every once in a while I hear them. The crude comments and subtle remarks aimed at our little community. They evoke an anger that prompts a response, not necessarily at the time, but eventually in one way or another.  

I am not sure if everyone feels the same about where they came from but I feel most have some sense of pride or feel a lifelong connection to their roots.

So, let’s not forget which community won BOB FM’s Battle of the Neighbourhoods contest and trophy this spring. During the live radio celebration in Transcona Centennial Square, numerous local business owners came out to offer some of their products to the radio hosts who were overwhelmed by our little community and its uniqueness.  

The town of Transcona came into existence in the early 1900s, when the Grand Trunk Pacific and National Transcontinental Railways decided to work together to build a second railway line across Canada.

Transcona would become the heart of the two, joining the west and east coasts of Canada while providing a repair and maintenance shop.  

When you think of it that way, Transcona was an integral location which enabled the Canadian National Railway to become what it is today. Those who settled in Transcona were the work crews who began the construction of the shops.

As a result of this settlement, a board of trade was formed in 1911 and the town of Transcona was incorporated in 1912. It began with hard-working, blue-collar roots and has continued for over 111 years.  

Such a community is something to be proud of. It has grown from a vast prairie field to a bustling community with approximately 42,000 people residing in it. The population continues to grow every day and these days Transcona is a diverse and multicultural community. Surrounded by the R.M. of Springfield on three sides, we just missed out on being an island. 

No, wait — you could say we used to be an island. To the west, the original connection to the City of Winnipeg was a long dirt road stretching past cold prairie fields. Because of its dark and remote location, the Starlite Drive-In Theatre was situated along a stretch of Pandora Avenue West. There are many great memories for all those who were lucky enough to frequent it. 

There are some days when I think it would be nice if we could go back to being a remote little town full of people who knew their neighbours’ names and who would always offer a friendly hello. 

But that’s not possible, so all our volunteers, community groups and business members will keep striving to make this community a great one and to educate all those who are unfamiliar with this great place so they can feel the love like we do. 

There are some great reads on the history of Transcona, its population and the various wards and what they are actually called on the following websites: 
• www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/mb_history/13/transconatour.shtml
• www.transconamuseum.mb.ca/post/2017/11/16/communities-that-time-forgot-south-transcona
• winnipeg.ca/Clerks/WardsBoundaries/pdfs/wardmaps/PopulationMaps/Transcona-population.pdf

Louise Hedman is a community correspondent for Transcona. 

Louise Hedman
Transcona community correspondent

Louise Hedman is a community correspondent for Transcona.

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