History of the Ross House (est. 1854)
Introduction
The Ross House was officially completed in 1854 for Jemima and William Ross, making it the second oldest house in Winnipeg. Over its history it has been used as a residence, post office, construction office, and museum. The house has existed in four separate locations, having been moved three times.
The Original locationOriginally, the house was located in Winnipeg’s Exchange district on what is currently Market St near the Red River. The Ross family lot stretched from the river to McPhilips in length, and a few blocks in width (William Ave. to Pacific Ave.) which followed the common river lot system of the time. A river lot allowed for people to have access to different resources provided by the areas along the long narrow strip of land including water from the river for farms and daily use.
During its early years, the house was known as Brookbank and served as a residence and post-office. The house began construction in the early 1850's, but the materials were washed away during the flood of 1852 that washed away much of the settlement. Following the flood, the house resumed construction but was further delayed by a shortage of materials and workers who were also in a challenging position due to the disastrous flood. Finally the house was ready to have the family move in around Christmas of 1854. The house remained in the family until the early 20th century. After Jemima’s death in 1912, the house was converted into an office space for Midland construction company. During this period of the house’s history it remained on its original site, and was moved for the first time in the 1946 when it was sold to the City of Winnipeg. |
The second locationIn 1949 the Ross House museum opened on Higgins Ave. across from the Neeginan Centre which was a large railway station. The Manitoba Historical Society advocated for the move, as the city planned on demolishing it to make way for a new warehouse. The house had been restored off site, its first move, and then placed across the street for tourists to visit once they arrive by train, this is the second move. Its time on Higgins was spent greeting people into the city as the second oldest house, serving as the introduction to Winnipeg's history.
The decline in the railway as a mode of transportation meant that a museum in a remote location downtown no longer attracted visitors, and the city planned to move it once again. |
The Third and final location
In 1984 Ross House was moved for the final time to its current location in Joe Zuken Heritage Park in North Point Douglas. The original plan was to build a historical park in the oldest area of the city. This plan included the Vulcan Iron Works, new and old agricultural displays, train history in the city, and the Ross House Museum. Joe Zuken was a politician from the 1960s-1980s, and the longest elected member of the Communist Party of Canada. Zuken was well liked by everyone in politics, and remained active in the scene until the 1980's.
The plan was cut short due to budgeting, and now the house remains as the only historic site in the park. Today there are monuments in Joe Zuken park that represent the community’s history and significant historical figures from Point Douglas, as well as the Ross House Museum.
The plan was cut short due to budgeting, and now the house remains as the only historic site in the park. Today there are monuments in Joe Zuken park that represent the community’s history and significant historical figures from Point Douglas, as well as the Ross House Museum.