The 20-block Exchange District National Historic Site encompasses over 100 turn-of-the-century buildings that represent a key period of development.
The area features:
- stone and brick warehouses
- elegant terra-cotta-clad skyscrapers
- narrow angled streets
- and covered alleys
History of the Exchange District
In the late 1800s, the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) helped define Winnipeg as the "Gateway to the West". Thousands of settlers stopped in Winnipeg before heading further west to claim their homesteads. This immigration boom established Winnipeg as the agricultural centre of the country. The city led international grain markets with over half of the world's wheat sales during the 1920s.
By 1905, Winnipeg was the fastest growing city of its size in North America, gaining a new nickname: “Chicago of the North”. The Exchange District, named for the Winnipeg Grain and Produce Exchange founded in 1887, became an economic hub.
In 1911, there were 24 rail lines converging in Winnipeg, making the city one of the largest rail centres in the world. CPR's main and spur lines serviced more than 200 wholesale businesses and warehouses based in the Exchange. Today, the names of these turn-of-the-century grocery and dry goods wholesalers can still be seen, etched or painted on buildings throughout the area.
Evolution of The Exchange
In the early 1900s, the Exchange became home to dozens of financial institutions, many of which established their Western Canadian headquarters in Winnipeg. By 1910, 20 such financial institutions claimed space on Main Street's “Bankers Row” creating unrivalled architectural showcases of prosperity and cosmopolitan status. As well, with its opulent theatres and cabarets, the area became an entertainment and vaudeville showcase for Western Canada, drawing such legends as Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, and the Marx Brothers. The Pantages Theatre on Market St. stands today as one of Canada's finest vaudeville venues.
The Exchange also became the city's publishing core. By the end of World War I, the area boasted three daily newspapers located on McDermot Ave.
Unfortunately, the First World War and the opening of the Panama Canal slowed the growth of the city. A sharp drop in wheat prices and the end of the Canadian immigration boom stalled retail and wholesale activity. Changes in freight rates after 1920 destroyed Winnipeg's previous transportation cost advantages. By the mid-1920s, many firms went out of business and the glory years of the Exchange District were over.
Today, the Exchange District has re-emerged as a vibrant place to work, live, play, and celebrate Winnipeg's architectural heritage. It also serves as the setting for many film productions.
National Historic Site
On September 27, 1997, the Government of Canada declared the Exchange District a National Historic Site. It is one of Canada’s largest designated historic districts.
The boundaries of the National Historic Site were established by the Downtown Winnipeg Zoning By-law No. 100/2004 based on the National Historic Site Commemorative Integrity Statement, 2001 (PDF, 3.1MB).