Filling the Deer Lodge loop

St. James

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/08/2024 (666 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Deer Lodge Loop, located south of Portage Avenue at Sharp Boulevard, once allowed streetcars to turn around. When Winnipeg eliminated streetcars in 1955, quartet of apartment blocks was soon constructed. The Stanley Grove (2170 Portage Ave.) is first listed in the 1957 Henderson Directory. The Stanley Park (2160 Portage Ave.) and the Capri Apartments (2130 Portage Ave.) were listed in the 1958 Henderson, and the Thunderbird is first mentioned in the 1960 Henderson.

A large vacant lot between the Thunderbird and Capri remained for over 60 years. The Parkbridge Apartments, at 2140 Portage Ave., are currently under construction on this long-time vacant lot.

This column will remember a few of the residents of the Stanley Grove, Stanley Park, Thunderbird, and Capri Apartment blocks during their early years.

Al and Patricia Mackling were original residents of the Stanley Grove . Al was listed as a law student at the father-and-son firm of Joseph Alter Cherniack and Saul Cherniack . Al had a long political career as a St. James alderman, then MLA and cabinet minister under premiers Ed Schreyer and Howard Pawley. During his time as an alderman, Al played an important role in the construction of the St. James Civic Centre.

During the summer of 1956, Stanley Grove resident Toby Labovich joined fellow cab drivers Tony Siwicki Sr., Stanley Bachynski and Nick Labinski in investing in the Silver Heights Coffee Shop. After getting a liquor licence in 1957, the coffee shop became the Silver Heights Restaurant.

Mildred Maybee, an original resident of the Capri, was a nurse who also served as president of the Greater Winnipeg Auxiliary of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. After arriving in Winnipeg in 1959, Dr. Gunther Voss moved into the almost new Capri Apartments. Dr. Voss spent a decade as director of the Assiniboine Park Zoo.

I found a couple of radiologists in the Stanley Park Apartments. Gordon and Bina Cleghorn were original residents of the Stanley Park. Gordon had a long career in radiology and was head of the radiology department at Misericordia Hospital. In 1959, Dr. Edward (Ted) and Marlene Lansdown also lived in the building. During his 45-year career, Ted was head of the radiology departments at the St. Boniface and Toronto General Hospitals. In 1985, Ted was president of the Canadian Association of Radiologists.

Peter Jackson – “PJ the DJ” of CKY Radio — was one of the first residents of the Thunderbird. On Saturday Jan. 14, 1961, he was the host of the first episode of CJAY TV’s Teen Dance Party, which became must-see viewing for young Winnipeggers in the ’60s.

Welcome to the residents of the Parkbridge.