The Beach 1902 - Present

William Whyte chose the location as the site of “Winnipeg’s Beach” because of its magnificent crescent of sandy beach. Records of Lake Winnipeg water levels show that from 1913 to 1945, the glory days of the resort, lake levels were from one to three feet lower than the long-term average. The beach was huge, and the water shallow out to the end of the CPR Pier, so it was an ideal area for children to frolic safely. Day trippers, cottagers and picnickers all came here for the sun, sand and water. Bathing suits, canoes, row boats, sail boats were for rent and motor launch and steamer provided rides out onto the lake for a price. In the early period, adults dressed quite formally on the beach, and the CPR police enforced order and proper attire. Unlike the bikinis of today, both men’s and women‘s suits exposed very little of the body. And many of the adults simply took the sun, what little they could get in formal dress. Or they promenaded on the beach and CPR pier.

Source: Manitoba Heritage

Researcher: Wally Johannson