WP2160 WPG - [TENTS ON FIELD SOUTH OF MINTO ARMOURY]

POSTCARD

Date: Not evident. Not Posted.

Publisher / Photographer: Unidentified

Notation: This is a tented camp in the field just south of Minto Armouries (969 St Matthews Ave, Winnipeg). The field is currently a parking lot and athletic field. The Minto Armouries were opened in 1915 and, based on the Cyko stamp box on the reverse, this photo was taken prior to 1920. I am not certain, but I believe I read that during WWI troops camped outside the Armouries prior to going to Camp Hughes.

The feature of this card that most caught my attention, however, is the cylindrical tower on the skyline.

This large gas storage tank sometimes referred to as the "Gasometer" was constructed in 1910 (as reported on page 10 of the September 19, 1910 edition of the Free Press). Located in the Wolseley area, I have heard that the tank held a reserve of gas which was manufactured by the Winnipeg Electric Company. It was dismantled in 1959 (as reported on page 3 of the April 15, 1959 edition of the Free Press).

Over the years, I have read many reports and heard many opinions as to the exact location of the tank. Thanks to Christy C. at the Winnipeg Public Library, I now have a definitive photograph to refer to. (See below.) The tank itself seems to have stood on the south side of Palmerston Avenue, roughly between Lipton Street on the west and the Lipton/Ruby back lane on the east.



This image was found at: www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/organization/stmarysacademy.shtml and entitled “Aerial view St. Mary’s Academy and surrounding Crescentwood neighborhood, 1923” Source: Archives of Manitoba, FA23/1-72, C10, Box 15, 1960-2.

The gas tank appears in another postcard in my collection: WP2002 WPG - ASSINABOINE RIVER ICE GOING OUT