The Hudson’s Bay Company disappeared in June as its final stores closed down, yet its influence in Winnipeg lingers on. The 355-year-old retailer played a crucial role in Winnipeg’s establishment, and remnants of its legacy can be found throughout the city in various forms such as street names, revamped buildings, street layouts, and a wealth of historical records.
According to Gordon Goldsborough, the acting executive director of the Manitoba Historical Society, the presence of The Bay endures through these visible traces that serve as reminders of its historical significance. One prominent reminder is the former HBC department store, a massive six-story, 650,000-square-foot concrete building constructed in 1926 at Portage Avenue and Memorial Street.
Despite the disappearance of the original HBC department store located at Main Street and York Avenue, several ancillary buildings from that era still stand in Winnipeg. These include structures like the Mail-order and catalogue building, the Powerhouse building, the Company garage now housing The Keg, and the Wholesale building, now known as Gibraltar House.
The Hudson’s Bay Company, established in 1670 with a royal charter for fur trading in Rupert’s Land, left a significant imprint on Western Canada’s development. The company’s influence extended to urban planning, real estate ventures, and infrastructure projects, shaping the cityscape of Winnipeg. Notable landmarks like Broadway and the bridges constructed by HBC in the Forks area are enduring legacies of its past presence.
While acknowledging HBC’s contributions, historians like Murray Peterson also highlight the negative impacts of colonial practices on Indigenous communities. Despite its controversial history, the recent transfer of the Portage Avenue store to the Southern Chiefs’ Organization for redevelopment symbolizes a step towards reconciliation and Indigenous empowerment.
The Manitoba Museum and Manitoba Archives house a vast collection of HBC artifacts and historical documents, offering valuable insights into the company’s operations and its impact on Canada’s history. These repositories provide a glimpse into everyday life dating back to the 1600s, showcasing the meticulous record-keeping practices of the Hudson’s Bay Company.