One Great History

Alfred Elton Van Vogt was a science fiction writer with an unusual background: he was born in Gretna, and began writing while living in Winnipeg. His eclectic collection of short stories and novels would go on to inspire writers like Philip K Dyck, Harlen Ellison, and directly or indirectly influence the plot of the film Alien. 

How many people does it take to topple a streetcar? Where can a man hide from a mud-hurling mob? And just who is “the Big Swede,” anyway? Answers (sort of) to all these questions and more in this episode about the time Winnipeg went absolutely nuts over a labour dispute.   Visit onegreathistory.com to see images from this episode and more!

Hé-ho! Strap on your snowshoes and tie on your sash, we're delving into the history of Festival du Voyageur.    Thanks to Colin Mackie from Festival Du Voyageur.

It's January, which means we are busy working on new episodes for you! So until we're ready to get on mic again, here are two classic Patreon bonus episodes for your ears! If you don't subscribe to our Patreon, this is a taste of what we do over there. If you do, then you maybe heard these back in 2022! https://www.onegreathistory.com/ https://www.patreon.com/OneGreatHistory

Once upon a time, Deer Lodge Hotel had a resident pet black bear that loved drinking soda. He was called, at various times, Joe Chamberlain, Whiterock Pete, and Chad's Bear and in 1905 became a regular character in the Winnipeg Tribune. In the fiction of the Tribune, the bear had an ambitious life - he ran for office, was once a witness in a trial, was the subject of a lengthy biography and was a friend to many local politicians. 

It's 1924, and Winnipeg is 50 years old! Local businesses and community groups from Winnipeg Hydro to Calhoun Hats make elaborate floats to celebrate Winnipeg's progress as a thriving, modern city - but who's been left out?

In 1974, a new phenomenon was happening in Winnipeg: Phantom-Mania. Released on Boxing Day, 1974, Phantom of the Paradise became an instant hit in Winnipeg. And only in Winnipeg. In this episode, Sabrina unpacks the initial lengthy run of Phantom of the Paradise in Winnipeg and it's enduring legacy here and beyond. A warm thank you to those who shared their experiences with the movie! It is beyond appreciated.

Thomas Spence saw a problem: Portage la Prairie, isolated, lawless. He offered a solution: himself, as President. Thus was born the Republic of Manitoba, a short-lived and ill-advised attempt at creating a regional government. Join us as we fill in the details of this colourful episode in Manitoba history with surprise appearances from Louis Riel, John Christian Schultz, and "Dutch George" Emmerling. Thank you to the NFB for allowing us to use the audio of their classic vignette!  

In this episode, a rare "Nick's Pick", Producer Nick dives into Winnipeg's comic book history! Did you know Canada's first superhero was invented by a Winnipeg cartoonist? Or that the Winnipeg Morality Police arrested people for selling Dick Tracy comics? Or that digital comic colouring as we know it today originated in Winnipeg? Oh, and also Spider-man went to the "Winnipeg Mall" one time... Come for the Captain Canuck critique, stay for Sabrina and Alex reading through the rules of the Comics Code Authority!

For over 40 years, the intersection of Portage and Main has been closed to pedestrians. The story of how this happened is one of desperation, bad planning, and even worse ideas on how our cities should be designed.

Rooster Town aka Pakan Town aka Grant Park Mall and High School. Find out the history of this area in this month's episode!

Is it Bay Days? Coincidentally! But, also, this episode is all about the past, present and future of the historic Portage Avenue Hudson's Bay department store.

In 1870, Louis Riel and those who fought alongside him insisted that the rights of their descendants be protected. Specifically, the Manitoba Act promised 1.4 million acres of land to the Métis. Decades later, less than 10% of that land had made its way into the hands of Métis families. What happened to the rest of it? In this episode we'll be talking about Métis scrip: perplexing government policies, deliberate fraud, and the men who got rich from the whole fiasco.

We're back! Did you miss us? We've compiled a collection of advice letters from the early 1940s about the pressing issues of the day: how do girls learn more about 'necking', are cigarettes a gateway drug to divorce, and should a woman leave traps for her husband to see if he's cheating?

A live podcast recorded on November 8, 2023 - aka Winnipeg's 150th birthday!

Is this the most star studded episode of One Great History ever? We've got Al Simmons, Carter Chen, Fred Penner, Gramma Shingoose, John K. Samson, Katharena Vermette, Michael Redhead Champagne, Ron Robinson, and Rosemary Barton!

Originally from Wikwemikong First Nation, Daphne Odjig came to Winnipeg in 1970 and opened Canada's first-ever indigenous-owned gallery. In this episode we discuss Daphne's art, the path that brought her to Winnipeg, and the impact of her life. Thank you to Franchesca Hebert-Spence for her input on this episode! Currently residing in Inuvik, the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Franchesca is Anishinaabe (member of Sagkeeng First Nation) from Winnipeg, Manitoba, her grandmother Marion Ida Spence was from Sagkeeng First Nation, on Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba. Hebert-Spence has worked as a cultural producer with a background in making, curating, research, and administration. She has described her curatorial practice as “snacks and chats,” the foundation of which stems from Ishkabatens Waasa Gaa Inaabateg, Brandon University Visual and Aboriginal Arts program. She is the Curator of Indigenous Ceramics at the Gardiner Museum in Toronto, and previously the Curatorial Assistant within the Indigenous Art Department at the National Gallery of Canada. She is a PhD candidate in Cultural Mediations (Visual Culture) at Carleton University, examining the presence of guest/host protocols within Indigenous methodological practices with a focus on visual art in Canada.

In 1976, a man got a parking ticket in Saint Boniface. The events that followed would challenge the foundations of Manitoba's laws, and the tolerance of Manitobans for their neighbours. In this episode we discuss Georges Forest and his quest for francophone rights. Thank you to Raymond Hébert and Roger Bilodeau for their input on this episode, and to Annie Langlois for her great archival finds!  

Stephen Juba was a mayor who loved a gimmick. And it paid off for him - despite a contentious reputation and attempts to oust him from the mayoral seat, he remained popular enough to serve nine consecutive terms over 20 years.

The 1950s were a busy time for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. They performed for the Royal Visit in 1951, launched several tours across Canada and the United States, were filmed by the National Film Board - and then, of course, there was the fire. Behind it all was the ballet's founders and managers, Gweneth Lloyd and Betty Hay-Farraly.

Thomas George Prince was always a man willing to leap into action. It's what made him save Ernest Pollard from drowning in the Red River in 1955, made him enlist in both the Second World War and Korean War, and travel to Ottawa in 1947 to advocate for Indigenous rights in Canada. This episode discusses residential schools, PTSD, military service, addiction and homeless. Please take care when listening. A huge thank you to Shauna Mulligan for sharing her knowledge and experiences in this episode! The Residential School Crisis Line:  1-866-925-4419 Veterans Association of Canada Assistance Service Support Line:  1-800-268-770 Consider donating to the Main Street Project, Resource Assistance for Youth or other community health organizations if you have the means.

In the 1930s, new ideologies flourished in the face of global economic crisis. Jacob Penner, a local communist activist, was elected to Winnipeg City Council in 1933 and remained in that position for many years, advocating for increased relief in the darkest years of the Great Depression. Despite his radical proclivities, Penner was respected by many of his less radical colleagues. In this episode we discuss municipal politics during the 1930s (we promise this is more interesting than it sounds) and Penner's complicated legacy. Listen to Sabrina's previous episode on the Battle at Market Square to learn more about the rise of fascism in Winnipeg during this period.

If you haven't heard of Lewis Benjamin Foote, you've almost certainly seen his work. That iconic photo from 1919 of a toppled streetcar? That was Lew. If you've seen old photos of North End slums or the construction of the Fort Garry Hotel, those were his too. For decades, Foote captured the public and private lives of Winnipeggers. In this episode, we talk about the less-than-roaring 20s seen through the eyes of L.B. Foote. If you want to follow along with the photos we looked at during this episode, flip through the album on onegreathistory dot wordpress dot com! All photos are from the Foote Fonds at the Manitoba Archives.

In the eighth episode of our One Great 150 series, we talk about John Robinson, a railcar porter and labour activist who founded one of the first black-led unions in North America. We discuss the exclusion of black workers from railway unions, the creation of the Order of Sleeping Car Porters, and how Robinson's union responded to the Winnipeg General Strike.   Project funded in part by the Winnipeg Foundation's Centennial Institute Grant, the Province of Manitoba's Heritage Grant, and the Winnipeg Free Press.

In 1917, Helen Armstrong burst onto the labour scene. A passionate and opinionated speaker, dedicated to the labour movement, she quickly became a voice for working women in Winnipeg in a time of rapid social change and growing labour movements.

En route to a military training camp at the start of the First World War, Winnipeg veterinarian Harry Colebourn purchased a baby black bear cub for $20 from a hunter on a train platform and named her Winnipeg. She quickly become the darling of the Canadian Veterinary Corps and the rest of the troops at Salisbury Plains, and when Colebourn left her at the London Zoo for safekeeping she became a favourite for zoo visitors. Including A.A. Milne and his young son, Christopher Robin.

In the fifth episode of our One Great 150 series, we talk about Margaret Scott, an early Winnipeg philanthropist and purveyor of the social gospel. We discuss just how gross Winnipeg was at the turn of the century, and whether organizations like the Margaret Scott Nursing Mission succeeded in making it less so. Thank you to Dr. Esyllt Jones for her help on this episode!   Visit onegreathistory.wordpress.com for more info

Buckle up folks, it's the big moment: Winnipeg is about to become a city. And rushing headfirst to the mayoral race is Francis Evans Cornish, local lawyer and known drunk. Surely everything will go well.

In episode three of our One Great 150 series, we cover the Red River Resistance by following the path of Elzéar Goulet, a mail carrier who became a leader in Louis Riel's Métis armed forces and, ultimately, was one of six men who decided the fate of Thomas Scott. Though Goulet was a player in many of the key moments of the resistance, the most lasting impact of his story may have been the tragedies that followed in the wake of his death. Thank you to Jean Teillet, author of The North-West is Our Mother, for her help in this episode. Her full interview can be found on our Patreon page.

The summer of 1850 saw the Red River Colony embroiled in scandal. Captain Christopher Foss was sueing several residents of Upper Fort Garry for defamation after they'd accused Sarah Ballenden (the Metis wife of the Chief Factor, and functionally the first lady of the fort) of having an affair. Social lines were drawn within the colony, highlighting the divides that been steadily growing over the past decade. Support the show on Patreon! For $5 a month you also get access to our bonus episodes, including post 150 episode discussions on sources and what we had to leave out. Thanks to the Winnipeg Free Press and the Manitoba Historical Society for their support! You can check out a brief write up of the episode in the Winnipeg Free Press. About One Great 150: The premise is simple: 15 people, 150 years. With 16 episodes leading up November 9th, 2023 - the 150th anniversary of the signing of Winnipeg's incorporation papers.  

Welcome to the first episode of One Great 150, folks! We're beyond excited to get this project going and to have you along for the ride. And to kick things off, we're starting with Chief Peguis!   The Red River Valley that Peguis arrived into was one already marked with the scars of the fur trade, and he quickly established himself as a skilled leader, hunter, and warrior in the area. Over his summers spent at his camp near Kildonan Park, Peguis would witness the comings and goings of countless new arrivals: Cuthbert Grant, returned home after many years away, the Selkirk Settlers, the Selkirk Settlers coming back, and Lord Selkirk - who Peguis would sign the Peguis-Selkirk of 1817 with.   A huge thank you to Niigan Sinclair and Allen Sutherland for speaking to us about Peguis! If you want to hear the interviews in full (and you should, they're great), you can check them out for free on our Patreon - available here. For $5 a month you also get access to our bonus episodes, including post 150 episode discussions on sources and what we had to leave out.   Thanks to the Winnipeg Free Press and the Manitoba Historical Society for their support! You can check out a brief write up of the episode in the Winnipeg Free Press.   About One Great 150:   The premise is simple: 15 people, 150 years. With 16 episodes leading up November 9th, 2023 - the 150th anniversary of the signing of Winnipeg's incorporation papers.  

Happy Hanukkah! This December, we explore some historic Hanukkah celebrations in Winnipeg, including a potato-grating contest and a questionable fruit salad. We are also joined by Belle Jarniewski from the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada, who tells us a little bit about the history of the holiday and its significance for Winnipeg's Jewish community.

Alex and Sabrina look back at the history of Winnipeg's paper of record and some of the journalists who helped make it what it is today. They also convince Nick to do a skit!

Alex tells Sabrina and Nick all about Manipogo, Manitoba's very own sea monster! Future doctor Kimber joins us to explain how this cannot exist.

We've got a special guest today, folks! Musician and author Melanie Gall joins us to talk about movie star Deanna Durbin. In the 1930s and '40s, one movie star above all had captured Winnipeggers hearts: Deanna Durbin. Born Edna Mae Durbin at Winnipeg's Grace Hospital, Durbin skyrocketed to fame in the late 1930s with a stint on Eddie Cantor's radio program Texico Town and the film Three Smart Girls. She'd go on to save Universal Studios from bankruptcy and become the highest paid woman in America - before abruptly retiring to France.

It's time for another beach episode - this time, to the other side of Lake Winnipeg! Explore the history of Grand Beach from the first ill-fated tourist excursion to the 'grand old days' as a Canadian Northern Railway Resort.

So, there's this guy. You used to see him around town, but he keeps moving away. His name is Burton Cummings. They named a theatre after him, and a community centre, and probably a few other things. He owns Salisbury House, got into a fight at a North End 7-Eleven, and even wrote a song or two that got played on the radio. He used to play these songs for royalty and presidents, and sometimes for kids at rec centers. Some of these songs he wrote by himself, and some he wrote with Randy Bachman, and they played in a band called The Guess Who, until they didn't, and then the rhythm section took the name when no one was looking. So yeah, this guy moved to Moose Jaw and yelled at a dance instructor until she moved away. Now he writes poetry. Oh, and one time he bought 50 canoes and blamed it on an accounting error.  This month on One Great History, Producer Nick tells Alex and Sabrina all about Burton Cummings. Special thanks to Martine from the Morris and District Centennial Museum for chatting with us for the Collecting Conversations segment!

Join Sabrina, Alex and Nick on a journey through the development of Winnipeg's 2SLGBTQ+ across the 1970s - from the early days of the Mardi Gras and the Marlborough all the way to the creation of Giovanni's Room (better known to some as Gio's). Thanks to Danielle with the Brandon General Museum & Archives for joining us for Collecting Conversations! Visit brandongeneralmuseum dot ca for more information.

When homesteaders were coming to Canada by the tens of thousands in the late 19th century, William Beal was one of a small number of black pioneers who staked his claim in Manitoba. Though by all accounts he was never much of a farmer, Beal made his mark as a booklover and autodidact in the community at Swan River Valley. In this episode, we explore the life of William Beal as well as the history of black immigration to Canada, and the tactics used by white Canadians and the Laurier government to prevent African-Americans from crossing the border.

On the evening of July 2nd, 1873, a visiting Scottish lord, Lord Gordon Gordon, was kidnapped from James McKay's Silver Heights home and rushed towards the American border. The events that followed would spiral into a full-scale international incident involving both the Canadian and American governments and the discovery that Lord Gordon Gordon was not who he seemed. A huge thank you to Jon Benson with The WRENCH for joining us for Collecting Conversations! Visit thewrench.ca/archive-project/ to learn more about The WRENCH's efforts to build a cycling archive.

Once a year, in ye olde days of the late 90s, children across Manitoba would dress their teachers as cattle, wear their best milk moustaches to school, and go to bed dreaming of winning a giant, inflatable cow. In this episode, Alex interrogates the historical origins of this somewhat unusual childhood tradition known as Milk Spirit Week. Listen to find out: Were six spilled cans of milk coincidence or conspiracy? How did pants settle a milk delivery strike? And just why do North Americans drink so much milk, anyway? All that and more in this ultra-niche milk episode!

It's February, which means it's time for another deep dive into advice columns of years past! For Valentine's Day 2022, we're focusing on Virginia Vane Says (briefly called The Women's Forum) - a column that ran in the Winnipeg Tribune from 1933-1944. Pressing issues include: how do I stop my husband from wearing a hat I hate, should I tell my mother I secretly married a soldier, and how do I convince my first love to leave her husband for me (and do I kidnap her)?

On this episode we take a leisurely stroll through the history of Assiniboine Park and the Zoo. Alex tells us about decades of underfunding, a crooked gardener, a completely unsurprising fire, and the German animal-lover who made our zoo what it is today.

Alex, Sabrina and Nick dust off their sleigh bells, pointe shoes, and bottles of (non-alcoholic) champagne to talk about more festive Winnipeg stories. Sabrina talks about the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's The Nutcracker and it's lengthy legacy, while Alex takes us on a pub crawl through New Years party's past.

Winnipeg's Gingerbread City Hall was, for many years, a distinctive local landmark. It was demolished in 1962 amidst safety concerns and a larger push to modernize Winnipeg. Sabrina's not here to talk about that, though. Instead, we're talking about the construction of the Gingerbread City Hall and the many, many scandals that plagued it throughout the 1880s.

In May of 1967, amateur geologist Stefan Michalak was looking for quartz in the Whiteshell when he saw something bizarre. Was it an alien spacecraft? An experimental rocket ship? A hoax? In this episode, Alex interviews UFOlogist Chris Rutkowski and we talk through the UFO sighting known as the Falcon Lake Incident as well as its aftermath and a few theories. Plus: a special guest who may or may not be Alex's dad.   Support us on Patreon and receive exclusive bonus content! patreon.com/OneGreatHistory

After almost a year out of the studio, Sabrina, Alex and Nick are back to recording in person! To kick us off, Sabrina recaps the unusual and unpredictable story of Harlequin Romance - a publishing house founded in Winnipeg that is now one of the largest romance publishers in the world. Their start, as it turns out, was not nearly as romantic.  Also of note - One Great History will now be released MONTHLY!

In an attempt to be topical, Sabrina goes through the storied history of polio in Manitoba - from the early epidemic era, through bizarre treatment ideas and wonky science, to one of Canada's largest vaccination initiatives. We promise, we didn't want this episode to feel quite as relevant as it does.   Content Warning: This episode was recorded over a month ago, before the discovery of the bodies of 215 children at the former Kamloops Residential School. We are all heartbroken by the discovery, and unfortunately this episode contains a similar incident on a smaller scale. It is discussed from 54:46-57:03 so you can expect it or skip it if you aren't in a space for it.

What even is an archive? Do we even really need them? Sabrina and Alex tackle these questions and talk to archivist Tom Nesmith and filmmakers Jesse Green and Vanda Fleury-Green about the importance of the City of Winnipeg archives and the less-than-ideal situation they're in.

In 1914, Nellie McClung and a delegation of her fellow suffragettes went to the provincial legislature to be heard on the topic of women voting. While they presented their best arguments in favour of suffrage, McClung found herself half-hoping that Premier Roblin would not be swayed. If he somehow changed his mind, after all, it would make her biting impression of him the very next night somewhat awkward. In this episode we talk about the Manitoba suffrage movement's most famous piece of campaigning: the mock parliament presented at the Walker Theatre, a role-reversal in which women debated whether men ought to vote. We also talk about the problematic politics of Nellie McClung. (Spoiler: Alex has VERY mixed feelings.)

Sabrina and Alex explore an uglier side of Winnipeg's history in this episode, namely, the rise of fascism and Nazism in Winnipeg in the 1930s. We discuss the rise and fall of the various parties (yes, there were more than one) and the countless ways Winnipeggers fought back against them, including a large riot called the Battle At Market Square. Warning: this episode does contain discussion of antisemitism.