The North Gate
The three photographs show the front gate in a span of approximately 15 years (circa 1870's to 1887). The large photograph shows this front gate in all its majesty. The wooden walls are clearly visible as is the Governor's residence in the background. Unfortunately, the two inserts show how quickly the fort fell into disrepair after being sold. Even when the fort was abandoned, it still drew people to its gate as evidenced by the two people sitting on the fence seen in the top insert photograph.
It should be noted that the only reason
that this gate remains today is through the efforts of a local women's
group that formed Winnipeg's first historical society whose sole purpose
was to preserve this gate.
This aerial map shows how Portage Avenue
straightened in an attempt to influence the flow of traffic away from the
fort. Note: for clarity only, the fort (rectangle shape) is displayed approximately
in its orginal size and position as it appeared 120 years ago.
|
hen
the Hudson's Bay Company decided to forego the expense of stone for the
walls of the north extension, it was seen by some as a slight to the integrity
and position that the fort represented to the area. One such individual
who felt this way was Chief Trader Alexander Hunter Murray who had established
the Company's most northernly post (Alaska). On a visit to Upper Fort Garry
he was offended by this omission in architectural integrity and designed
a prominent gate befitting the fort. Thus came to be the only remaining
remnant of the original fort. Approximately 20 years ago, part of the wooden
walls that were attached to the gate were recreated.
The reason Broadway Avenue branches off Portage Avenue the
way it does is because it was the original route to the Front Gate of Upper
Fort Garry from Portage Avenue (formely the Portage Trail). As merchants
and traders, trying to break the Company's monopoly in the area, established
their business, they purposely built their establishments along Portage
Avenue and Main Street, away from the fort's entrance. This helped to divert
the traffic eastward down Portage Avenue directly to Main Street, bypassing
the fort altogether.
