From the Museum Website
http://transconamuseum.mb.ca/index.htm
“History of Transcona
The name “Transcona” was chosen to commemorate the railway to which the town owes its existence. It is claimed that the name “Transcona” was chosen from thousands of contest entries and was a combination of “Transcontinental” and “Strathcona”.
- “Transcontinental” – either for the CPR Transcontinental trains that passed through the area or for the National Transcontinental Railway who constructed the shops in cooperation with the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway
- “Strathcona” for Donald Alexander Smith, also known as Lord Strathcona. He headed one of the groups responsible for constructing the Canadian Pacific Railway. In 1885, Lord Strathcona drove the last spike into the CPR railway.
Establishment of the Town-site
- In 1906 or 1907, the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway surveyed an area in the Suthwyn district for the future site of the western repair shop and the town of Transcona.
- In 1907 or 1908, the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway purchased 800 acres of land located 8 miles east of Winnipeg from John Henry Kern for the construction of the railway repair shops and the future town-site.”
My Grandfather reside there before My Grandmother immigrated to there in an arranged marriage in 1913 My Grandfather helped in the construction of the CN shops and then worked there as a boiler maker till the 60’s . My father worked there before the wwII and went back there thereby keeping his seniority while he fought the war. Their house was moved in the 40’s from Harold Ave east to 305 Kildare Ave. West (where it still is) when the land was expropriated for the Transcona Stadium. Later most of their land was expropriated for the Maple leaf Park.
Great story! Good to know the details have not been forgotten.