The Pas history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of the city of The Pas is rooted in the deep past, long before modern borders appeared on maps. Originally, this area was known as Opasquia, which means "place where the river narrows" in the Cree language. For centuries, this location served as an important gathering point for Indigenous peoples.

The first European to set foot on these lands is considered to be explorer Henry Kelsey, who travelled here in the early 1690s. Later, in the mid-18th century, French traders founded the fortified post of Fort Paskoya. The settlement received official city status in 1912, when Canada was actively developing its northern territories.

Key Development Factors

The transformation of a small trading post into an important regional centre was driven by a combination of geographical and economic reasons:

• Strategic Geography: The city is located at the confluence of the Saskatchewan and Pasquia rivers. Waterways remained the main communication routes for a long time, making this place a natural transport hub.
• Fur Trade: Proximity to rich hunting grounds and convenient delivery routes turned the settlement into a key fur trading centre for the Hudson's Bay Company.
• Railway: In the early 20th century, the construction of the railway to Hudson Bay gave a powerful impulse to development, securing the city's unofficial title as the "Gateway to the North".

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the early stages, the settlement's economy depended entirely on natural cycles: the hunting season, fur harvesting, and river navigation. This formed a unique cultural environment where the traditions of Indigenous peoples, the Métis, and European pioneers were closely intertwined.

The trading post served not only as a place for exchanging goods but also as a centre for social interaction. With the arrival of the industrial era and the railway, the economic focus shifted to logging and transport services, yet the historical heritage of the fur trade centre has been preserved in the city's identity.

Timeline of Key Events

• 1690–1691: Explorer Henry Kelsey becomes the first European to visit this region in the interests of the Hudson's Bay Company.
• 1750: French traders found the fortified post of Fort Paskoya, which became an important point for fur exchange at the river confluence.
• 1840: Henry Budd establishes the first permanent Christian mission here, contributing to the development of education and agriculture in the community.
• 1876: Adhesion to Treaty 5 is signed, defining relations between the government and the Indigenous peoples of the region.
• 1908: The railway arrives in the settlement, reliably connecting these northern territories with the south of the continent.
• 1912: The settlement of The Pas officially receives city status, coinciding with the expansion of the administrative borders of the province of Manitoba.
• 1916: The first Northern Manitoba Trappers' Festival is organised, becoming one of the oldest winter traditions in Canada.
• 1920: Construction is completed on the monumental brick Community Building (courthouse), which is today a national historic site.
• 1929: The opening of through railway service to the port of Churchill finally secures the status of "Gateway to the North" for the city.
• 1966: The creation of a large forestry complex begins, becoming a driver of the region's industrial economy.
• 1982: The Sam Waller Museum moves into the historic old courthouse building, opening access to unique collections for the general public.
• 2012: The city celebrates its centennial on a grand scale, marking a century of official municipal development and cultural diversity.

Key Development Milestones

The evolution of the city of The Pas is the story of a remote trading post transforming into a modern regional centre. Each of the events listed below played a decisive role in shaping the economic, cultural, and architectural appearance that distinguishes this corner of the north of Canada today.

• Arrival of the Railway (1908)
  The laying of tracks became a turning point in the region's economy. The railway replaced river routes as the main method of cargo delivery, turning the settlement into the main transshipment point for all of northern Manitoba and opening access to world markets.
• Official Incorporation (1912)
  Obtaining city status allowed for the formation of local self-government and the commencement of systematic town planning. This event marked the transition from a spontaneous settlement around a trading post to an ordered urban structure with streets, schools, and municipal services.
• Establishment of the Trappers' Festival (1916)
  The organisation of the Northern Manitoba Trappers' Festival became a crucial cultural milestone. The festival has not only preserved the traditions of Indigenous peoples and pioneers but has also formed a unique tourist attraction for the city, uniting the community every winter for over one hundred years.
• Construction of the Community Building (1920)
  The erection of the monumental brick courthouse (Community Building) became a symbol of the assertion of law and order in the north. Architecturally, this building set the tone for the city centre, becoming its main historical landmark.
• Opening of the Line to Churchill (1929)
  The completion of the railway construction to the coast of Hudson Bay finally secured the city's status as the "Gateway to the North". The Pas became a key logistics hub through which cargo and passengers travelled to the Arctic port.
• Industrialisation and Forestry (1960s)
  The opening of a large forestry complex (Manitoba Forestry Resources) diversified the economy. The city ceased to depend exclusively on transport and fur trading, transforming into an important industrial centre of the province.
• Emergence as an Educational Hub (2000s)
  The development of the University College of the North (UCN) transformed the social environment. The appearance of a major educational institution made it possible to train personnel locally and attracted young people, making the city a centre of intellectual life in the region.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architectural development of the city of The Pas is inextricably linked to its role as a transport hub in the north of the province of Manitoba. Unlike old European centres, you will not find opulent Baroque or Renaissance styles here. The urban planning structure formed linearly: first along the bank of the Saskatchewan River, which served as the main transport artery, and then oriented towards the railway tracks laid in the early 20th century.

The city's appearance is a blend of utilitarian structures from the frontier exploration era, solid administrative buildings from the economic boom of the 1920s, and modern structures reflecting the cultural heritage of Indigenous peoples.

Main Styles and Iconic Buildings

The city's architectural landmarks clearly correspond to key historical stages in the development of the Canada region:

• Carpenter Gothic (Late 19th Century)

  The most striking example of early architecture is Christ Church, built in 1896. This building is executed in the Carpenter Gothic style—a wooden interpretation of the majestic medieval style. It is characterised by pointed windows, a steep roof, and simplicity of form, adapted to the harsh climatic conditions and materials available at that time.

• Edwardian Classicism (Early 20th Century)

  The city's flourishing period following the arrival of the railway was marked by the construction of monumental brick buildings. The main symbol of this era is The Pas Community Building, erected in 1920 (the former courthouse). Strict lines, symmetry, decorative pilasters, and the use of red brick refer to restrained Edwardian Classicism, designed to demonstrate stability and the power of law in new territories.

• Regional Modernism and Contemporaneity (21st Century)

  The city's modern architecture strives for functionality and integration with local identity. The University College of the North (UCN) campus represents an example of modern "green" architecture. The building uses natural materials (wood, stone) and forms inspired by the traditions of Indigenous peoples, combining postmodern aesthetics with high energy efficiency standards.

Prominent Figures of The Pas

The history of the city is rich with the names of people whose achievements in sports, politics, and culture have brought fame to this northern region far beyond its borders. Below are key figures associated with the development and heritage of the region.

• Sam Waller
  Naturalist, educator, museum founder
  Arriving in the region as a teacher, Waller dedicated his life to collecting unique artefacts of nature, daily life, and history. His passion for collecting led to the creation of the Sam Waller Museum—the main cultural treasury of The Pas, preserving the memory of the region's past.
• Oscar Lathlin
  Political leader, Opaskwayak Cree Chief
  A native of these lands, Lathlin rose from being Chief of his people to a minister in the Manitoba provincial government. He became a symbol of the struggle for Indigenous rights and the improvement of education and infrastructure in the North, leaving behind a powerful political legacy.
• Roddy Piper
  Wrestling legend, actor
  The world-famous wrestler known as "Rowdy" spent his teenage years right here. The harsh character of the north and life in a Mounted Police officer's family hardened his spirit, which subsequently helped him become one of the brightest stars in the world of sports entertainment.
• Albert Campbell
  Musher, dog sled racing winner
  A local hero of Métis heritage who won the legendary Red River Derby in 1917. His skill in handling a sled became a benchmark for many generations and contributed to the popularisation of the Trappers' Festival traditions, of which all of Canada is proud.
• Herman Finger
  Lumber industrialist, first mayor
  Founder of a large sawmill company that became the economic engine of the region in the early 20th century. Finger played a decisive role in transforming a small settlement into an official city, leading it as the first mayor in 1912.
• Glen Gulutzan
  NHL Coach
  A native of the city who achieved the heights of professional hockey. Head coaching such National Hockey League clubs as the Dallas Stars and the Calgary Flames, he became an inspiring example for young athletes from small northern towns.
• Henry Kelsey
  Explorer, pioneer
  An employee of the Hudson's Bay Company who was the first European to explore these lands back in the 1690s. His travels opened the region to external trade and marked the beginning of the documented history of cultural interaction in this territory.