Exchange District in Winnipeg, Manitoba — Canada’s Prairie Region (North America)

Court House

1869-1884

— Historic Winnipeg —

Court House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 16, 2022

1. Court House Marker

Inscription. In 1869 A. M. Sutherland erected a log store at this site. It was converted to a jail in 1870 and during 1873 it was expanded into a court house which served as the Manitoba Legislature until 1881. On August 26, 1874 Joseph Michaud, a volunteer soldier, was the first man hanged in Winnipeg in the court’s jail. Purchased by John R. Clements in 1881, the structure became a saloon, brothel and variety theatre before its demolition in 1884.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Law Enforcement • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.

Location. 49° 53.916′ N, 97° 8.373′ W. Marker is in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is in the Exchange District. Marker is on Main Street (Manitoba Route 52) just south of William Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Marker is mounted at eye-level on the left side of the Market Square entrance gate. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 492 Main Street, Winnipeg MB R3B 1B7, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. West Clements Block (Bijou Theatre) (here, next to this marker); Union Bank Building / L’édifice de la Union Bank (a few steps from this marker); Union Bank Building (within shouting distance of this marker); First Headquarters • International Brotherhood of Magicians

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(within shouting distance of this marker); The Confederation Building / L'édifice de la Confédération (within shouting distance of this marker); The Exchange District / L'Arrondissement de la Bourse (within shouting distance of this marker); Imperial Bank of Canada (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Rowand Block / Canada Life Building (about 90 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winnipeg.

Also see . . .
1. Private Joseph Michaud, the first in Manitoba.

Private Joseph Michaud, an artillery gunner, earned the distinction with one of the classic criminal archetypes, the ill-advised bender. Having snuck out on the town — Winnipeg, in this case — a progressively more belligerent Michaud found himself by the wee hours slashing with his knife one of his fellow duty-derelicters. That other soldier wasn’t the murder victim: it was, instead, a passerby who saw Michaud brandishing his weapon and attempted to intervene.

(Submitted on January 29, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Winnipeg Homicide.

A trial was held on June 27th, 1874 for the killing of James A. Brown by Joseph Michaud
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 16, 2022

2. Court House Marker
(marker is mounted on left side of Marker Square gate)
during a fight. The trial was held in the Court of Queen's Bench with Judge Wood residing. Michaud was found guilty with no recommendation of mercy by the Judge and sentenced to hang. An order of court on July 18th upheld the sentence and on August 26th, 1874 at the Provincial Gaol in Winnipeg, Joseph Michaud, an artillery gunner, was hanged. This was the first official execution in the newly formed Province of Manitoba.

(Submitted on January 29, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. Winnipeg Court House (circa 1881).

A plaque at this site on the west side of Main Street in Winnipeg was erected to commemorate the Court House that once stood near here from 1873 to 1884.

(Submitted on January 29, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 28, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 63 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 29, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.