Lockport

Where is Lockport? Lockport is located on the Red River between Selkirk and Winnipeg. Aboriginal peoples lived here because there was a lot of fish in the river. Lockport

First Nations what did they live in? Aboriginal peoples lived in Lockport long before it even had a name. They included the Assiniboine, Cree, and Sioux Nations. what did they live in? They had two types of homes The first were teepee homes. They were cone shaped structures covered with animal hides and buffalo robes. The second were dome shaped homes using twigs, weaved grasses, and animal skins. Kenosewun Plaque Illustration

European Settlers In 1812 the first group of Scottish settlers came through Lockport on their way to Winnipeg. A group of English, Scottish, and Orcadian people eventually moved here, with their Native American families. They were called the Métis. These families cut trees along the riverbanks and dug limestone from the riverbed to build their houses.

Community Growth A small school and library was built in Margaret (Swain) & Donald Gunn’s home. They built fences and barns for their livestock, and a local blacksmith shop was built. The settlers cut hay in the marshes, and farmed grain and vegetables. Water and wind powered grist mills were also built to make flour.

Little Britain United Church Community Growth St. Andrew’s Church was the closest place of worship. It was built between 1845 – 1849. It was ministered by Rev. William Cockran and his wife Anne. By 1852 this area was called Little Britain. Little Britain United Church was built in 1874. Little Britain United Church

Traveling on Water Before paddleboats and steam ships, everyone traveled in canoes and York boats. These boats were small enough to move over or around the dangerous rapids south of Lockport. Eventually everyone was using bigger boats, but these boats couldn’t cross the rapids.

Lock and Dam Building the St. Andrews lock and dam took almost 10 years. They were officially declared open in July 1910 by Prime Minister Sir Wilfred Laurier. The new lock and dam controlled the water level on the Red River. It raised the water enough to let a boat go over the rapids. After the dam was built this area was called Lockport.

Lock and Dam As the crew excavated the waterbed in preparation for the foundation of the lock, they unearthed an amazing amount of mud. That earth was placed slightly south of the locks, which today makes up the small island that each year becomes a temporary haven for thousands of migrating geese. A spur line was built from the town of Selkirk to the work site, enabling the men to get machinery and material to the site. After the lock and dam was completed the spur line was removed.

Business Growth The Lockport Flour Mill Company started operations in 1917. A bus service started called Bushman & Boatman. Canada’s first woman bus driver drove here. Her name was Mabel Davis Richmond and she drove people around in her Ford Model T bus between Lockport and Winnipeg.

Business Growth Restaurants were built to help feed the hungry workers. In 1926 Mary Gunn sold a full steak dinner for 25 cents. Hotels with drinking parlors and room rentals were built for visitors. In 1929 Lockport became home to the famous Skinners Restaurant. treat called the hotdog. People came from miles around to try the mouth-watering tasty treat called a hotdog. It only cost 10-cents. Competition followed with the famous Half Moon hot dog and chip shop in 1940.

Lockport Today In 1958 the floodway was built. This was to help stop flooding in the city of Winnipeg. The floodway is 30 miles long and it pours back into the red river just north of Lockport. Today Lockport has many families, several restaurants, retail outlets, two churches, one school, a provincial park, and a museum with the Cree name Kenosewun, which means, “There are many fishes.”

- “preserving our community’s heritage one story at a time” - This presentation brought to you by the St. Clements Heritage Advisory Committee! - “preserving our community’s heritage one story at a time” - Presentation Created by Jared Laberge Information Compiled by Donna Sutherland The End