The University of Manitoba campuses are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Ojibwe-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. More
Call Number: Mss 126, Pc 135 (A.93-33)
Title: Public Markets Ltd. fonds.
Dates: 1911-1980.
Extent: 7.2 m of textual records. -- 43 photographs.
Administrative history: More commonly referred to as The Winnipeg Union Stockyards, the Public Markets Ltd., owned mutually by the Canadian Pacific Railway and Canadian National Railway, played a vital role in the economic history of Winnipeg. As the railroad hub for western Canada, Winnipeg benefitted directly from the rising agricultural economics of the prairie region. For decades, livestock from western Canada, enroute to eastern Canadian markets, was either butchered or detrained for water and feed in the Winnipeg stockyards giving rise to a once bustling local meat processing industry. But with the introduction of refrigerated freight cars, truck trailers, and trunk highway construction, livestock processing facilities moved closer to the sources of raw materials. Consequently, less and less livestock moved by rail. Eventually major meat packing companies closed their facilities in Winnipeg and the Stockyards ceased operations in Winnipeg. The 137 acres of land was acquired by the City of Winnipeg.
Custodial history: The fonds was donated to University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections by the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railways in 1992. The archives of the Public Markets Ltd. was donated to the University of Manitoba in 1992 largely due to the efforts of its former manager, Mr. D.M. Duncan, and Mr. Chris Thomas of Canadian National.
Scope and content: The fonds consists of very detailed business transaction records covering feed charges, livestock statistics, train schedules, inspection reports, purchase orders, union agreements, personnel matters and much, much more, as well as other legal, personnel, and official records. These files reach back to the World War I-era and extend to the late-1980s.
Restrictions: There are no restrictions on this material.
Accruals: No further accruals are expected.
Finding aid: A printed finding aid is available in the Archives reading room and an on-line finding aid is available at the link below:
Digitized Material