Winnipeg | Historical discussion

[rgalston]

Originally Posted by Only The Lonely..

But, wasn't the Disraeli bridge built sometime prior to 1957? I know when construction started Steve Juba (1957-77) was yet to be Mayor.

The Disraeli bridges were finished by 1959 (I think the river crossing was built first, then across the CPR), but the roadway connecting it to Main St. wasn't built until later in the '60s. People would use Lily and Rupert Street to travel between Main and the Dsiraeli bridges in those interim years, I think.

***
If you look at Google maps, it shows the lane between Lombard and Portage E., and Westbrook and Ship St., labeled as "Thistle Ln." Has this always been the case? And wasn't Portage Avenue east of Main called Thistle Street at one time?

[drew]

Originally Posted by trueviking

the building i work in, just west of the traffic cirlce is starting to fall down...the foundations are collapsing and there is emergency work being done right now to stabilize it....my boss suddenly had a 6" gap below his window 2 weeks ago...the bricks were starting to shear on one corner....i wonder if the proximity to the old creek is part of the reason.

could also be that it is a 110 year old building, i guess.

From what I have seen, the older foundations in Winnipeg are going to really start becoming more and more of a building safety and maintenance disaster in the coming years.

The old rubblestone and non-reinforced concrete foundations that support the bulk of the ~100 year old warehouse and housing stock in this city are approaching the end of their serviceable life, and were never all that well suited to Winnipeg soil conditions anyway (a city by-law should be created mandating that all new house foundations are supported on friction piles wherever possible).

To prolong the lives of these buildings and hold up resale values, I think the City should really think about starting some sort of financial support system in place to start a full-scale foundation replacement in all the older Winnipeg neighbourhoods. It could be patterned like the river stabilization program, with the city eating 50% of the costs. It might be a good "make-work" program to help the local economy as well.

[Archiseek]

anyone know where the winnipeg internment camp was in the first world war?

[Only The Lonely..]

Originally Posted by rgalston

The Disraeli bridges were finished by 1959 (I think the river crossing was built first, then across the CPR), but the roadway connecting it to Main St. wasn't built until later in the '60s. People would use Lily and Rupert Street to travel between Main and the Dsiraeli bridges in those interim years, I think.

***
If you look at Google maps, it shows the lane between Lombard and Portage E., and Westbrook and Ship St., labeled as "Thistle Ln." Has this always been the case? And wasn't Portage Avenue east of Main called Thistle Street at one time?

That's pretty interesting. Thanks.

[Only The Lonely..]

Originally Posted by drew

From what I have seen, the older foundations in Winnipeg are going to really start becoming more and more of a building safety and maintenance disaster in the coming years.

The old rubblestone and non-reinforced concrete foundations that support the bulk of the ~100 year old warehouse and housing stock in this city are approaching the end of their serviceable life, and were never all that well suited to Winnipeg soil conditions anyway (a city by-law should be created mandating that all new house foundations are supported on friction piles wherever possible).

To prolong the lives of these buildings and hold up resale values, I think the City should really think about starting some sort of financial support system in place to start a full-scale foundation replacement in all the older Winnipeg neighbourhoods. It could be patterned like the river stabilization program, with the city eating 50% of the costs. It might be a good "make-work" program to help the local economy as well.

Do most people at the city or Heritage Winnipeg know about this? Personally, I had no idea.

Although it makes sense given the age of the buildings in the Exchange.

[rgalston]

Originally Posted by drew

From what I have seen, the older foundations in Winnipeg are going to really start becoming more and more of a building safety and maintenance disaster in the coming years.

The old rubblestone and non-reinforced concrete foundations that support the bulk of the ~100 year old warehouse and housing stock in this city are approaching the end of their serviceable life, and were never all that well suited to Winnipeg soil conditions anyway (a city by-law should be created mandating that all new house foundations are supported on friction piles wherever possible).

To prolong the lives of these buildings and hold up resale values, I think the City should really think about starting some sort of financial support system in place to start a full-scale foundation replacement in all the older Winnipeg neighbourhoods. It could be patterned like the river stabilization program, with the city eating 50% of the costs. It might be a good "make-work" program to help the local economy as well.

As far as the city's old building stock goes, my 127-year-old house is at the front of the pack. I am not seeing what I think to be troubling signs in the house's structure. Are there things I should be looking for? Is foundation replacement something all buildings with stone foundations must go through everywhere (ie- Europe, New England), or just in places with clima similar to Winnipeg's?

[1ajs]

rgalston what happens with our foundations is the motor drys out and becomes a powerder and then the foundation beings to shift funy and cave in... couple houses in the nieborhood have had foundation replaceents done cause of this.. but generaly most of the issues we have around here ar cause the weaping tile is caved in and needs replacement aka drainage

[drew]

^ that's pretty much it. You PD guys should check out the west side of 89 Lorne for a great example of a deteriorated rubblestone foundation.

The problem in Winnipeg is moisture and how it affects our clay soils under and around the foundations.

Most older houses are backfilled with native soil (i.e clay), and do not have functioning sub-surface drainage (i.e. weeping tile). After 100 years, most houses have no effective way to remove any water that builds up around the foudnation. When that soil gets wet and freezes, it expands and puts HUGE pressure on the foundation walls. With properly built reinforced concrete walls this isn't a huge concern.

With old, rubblestone foundations the only resistance to the backfill pressure is the mortar which is hugely deteriorated from freeze-thaw action and general wear and tear (completely insulating and putting vapour barriers on rubblestone foundations can help to accelerate their demise, so be careful there too, google that for more info). Couple this inward action from the sides with the up and down action of the clay under the footings, and you have a classic Winnipeg foundation.

When old foundations go, they seem to go pretty quick. You'll notice it happening, with lots of new and large cracks in finishes, water in the basement, doors not functioning, etc. Unless you are living in absolute denial, you will have plenty of warning that someting isn't right in your house.

Your best defense short of installing an entire new foundation is to keep the water around your foundaiton to an absolute minimum. Make sure your eaves drain well and AWAY from your house with extensions. Make sure all the ground, driveways, sidewalks, etc. are graded away from your foundation. Don't park your car within 8-feet of your house foundation (attached garages don't count here).

Of course, I also live in a 100 year old house with a rubblestone foundation...

[drew]

Originally Posted by rgalston

Is foundation replacement something all buildings with stone foundations must go through everywhere (ie- Europe, New England), or just in places with clima similar to Winnipeg's?

I can't speak for other areas, but certainly Winnipeg's one-two punch of clay and REAL winter really put foundations to the test.

[flatlander]

Originally Posted by rgalston

If you look at Google maps, it shows the lane between Lombard and Portage E., and Westbrook and Ship St., labeled as "Thistle Ln." Has this always been the case? And wasn't Portage Avenue east of Main called Thistle Street at one time?

I remember driving up Thistle Lane not too long ago. I think it was closed to permit construction of the ballpark but I'm going off memory here. Does that jive with Google maps? I haven't checked yet.

[1ajs]

any part of the city were theres been any sort in fill on old creaks and marshs there tends to be foundation issues....

but yea water and clay = expantion...
foundatins can only handle being pushed around for so long... even solid concreat one....

[1ajs]

Originally Posted by flatlander

I remember driving up Thistle Lane not too long ago. I think it was closed to permit construction of the ballpark but I'm going off memory here. Does that jive with Google maps? I haven't checked yet.

On a happy side note I am now the proud father of a 6 pound 6 ounce little girl.

congratz flatlander

[Only The Lonely..]

Originally Posted by flatlander

I remember driving up Thistle Lane not too long ago. I think it was closed to permit construction of the ballpark but I'm going off memory here. Does that jive with Google maps? I haven't checked yet.

On a happy side note I am now the proud father of a 6 pound 6 ounce little girl.

Congratulations

Now if you can only father a few more kids we will start to make some real headway on Calgary.

[Andy6]

Originally Posted by Only The Lonely..

Congratulations

Now if you can only father a few more kids we will start to make some real headway on Calgary.

Even better woud be to adopt children from Calgary orphanages.

Portage Av E was formerly Thistle Street, I believe. Thistle Lane was an extension of that.

[1ajs]

andy look slightly to the east theres one called mill st kinda neat
the old ally beside the lonely nutty club building still has the railway ties in the ground also if anyone has ever noticed...

[rgalston]

Originally Posted by flatlander

On a happy side note I am now the proud father of a 6 pound 6 ounce little girl.

Congratulations. Children of your own are the most wonderful things.

[flatlander]

Thanks. I'm having a blast.

[Archiseek]

Strevel Terrace Winnipeg

[drew]

^ Cool. They sure don't build them like they used to.

Any idea where that was?

[Archiseek]

Donald Street