Seven Oaks & Ross House Museum

History of the Ross Family Property

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  • Ross House Museum
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      • The Ross Family >
        • Alexander Ross
        • Salis Timentwa (Sarah Ross)
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        • Henrietta Ross
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PictureMap of Red River Settlement, 1818 - "Colony Gardens" is indicated on the map, but Alexander and Sarah's home was not yet built.
In 1825, Alexander Ross retired from managing the Hudson Bay Company's Fort Okanagan to the Red River Settlement. Here, Ross was given a 100-acre river lot, a narrow strip of land that went from William Ave to Pacific Ave, and stretched from the Red River to McPhillips St. The Ross property was just south of Fort Douglas, which operated/stood until 1835.

​In 1826, the construction of "Colony Gardens", Alexander and Sarah's home was completed. Colony Gardens was located at the foot of Rupert Avenue, with a modern street address between 25 Amy St and 110 Pacific Ave. Their son William was given the strip of  land between William Ave and Elgin or James Ave, and he and his wife Jemima built their home at what is now 90 Market Ave. ​The northern section of the Ross property, from Elgin Ave to Pacific Ave was inherited by James Ross. 

"Colony Gardens" can be seen on maps dating back to 1818, but this is not Alexander and Sarah's home. The name may have referred to an area adjacent to Fort Douglas, although we are not sure of its purpose. Alexander may have used the name of an existing landmark for his home.

Picture
Drawing of Main St with building identification, 1870
Picture"Location and Identity of Buildings in Village of Winnipeg, 1872", Manitoba Free Press, 1922
Colony Gardens stood until 1885, when it was demolished shortly following Sarah Ross's death.

Seven Oaks House Museum & Ross House Museum sit on Treaty One land:
​The traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg and Ininíwak, the land of the Dakota and the homeland of the Red River Métis.

Contact us:

Eric Napier Strong - Curator / Manager

Seven Oaks House Museum

204-339-7429
[email protected]
50 Mac Street, Winnipeg, MB

​Ross House Museum

204-942-5396
[email protected]
140 Meade Street North, Winnipeg, MB

Operated with support from

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  • Seven Oaks House Museum
    • Visiting Information
    • Events >
      • Past Events
    • School Programs
    • Rentals
    • Archives >
      • Seven Oaks Album
      • Wright Album
      • Redwood Album
      • Geo T Album
      • Misc Photos
    • History >
      • John & Mary
      • Children
      • George T Inkster
      • Nahovway & Colin
      • An Enduring Legacy
      • Changing Times
      • New Beginnings
      • Material Culture of the Inkster-Sinclair Women
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • Our Mission
  • Ross House Museum
    • Visiting Information
    • Events
    • History >
      • Artifact Gallery
      • The Ross Family >
        • Alexander Ross
        • Salis Timentwa (Sarah Ross)
        • William Ross
        • Jemima McKenzie Ross
        • James Ross
        • William Coldwell
        • Henrietta Ross
      • History of Ross House Museum
      • The Boiling Point of North Point Douglas
    • Volunteer
    • Our Mission
  • Learning
    • Self-Guided Tours
    • Video Tours
    • Winnipeg 1884: Finding the Past in Our Present >
      • Residence of Hon. A.G.B. Bannatyne
      • St. John's College
      • St. John's College Ladies School
      • Hudson's Bay Land Office
      • Hudson's Bay Co. Store
      • Woods & Ovens Biscuit Manufactory
      • Grand Pacific Hotel
      • Manitoba Free Press
      • M. Keachie's Palace Stables
      • J.H. Ashdown Hardware
      • Redwood Brewery
      • Ryan's Boot & Shoe Store
      • Manitoba College
      • St. Mary's Academy
      • St. Boniface Boys College
      • St. Boniface Cathedral
      • Episcopal Palace, St. Boniface
      • Ladies College, St. Boniface
  • Gathering
    • Contemporary Artists
    • Heritage Database
  • Employment Opportunities