Polson House demolition raises fears other historical Winnipeg buildings could follow

A piece of Winnipeg's history was reduced to rubble this week as demolition crews began tearing down the Polson House.

The house, built in 1894 at 94 Cathedral Ave., had deteriorated significantly, and local historians worry other landmarks could face a similar fate.

Kenneth Ingram, president of the Seven Oaks Historical Society (SOHS), had fought to preserve pieces of the house. He calls its loss "heartbreaking" and  "a classic case of demolition by neglect."

Polson House was built for Alexander Polson, a former city councillor and grandson of one of the original Selkirk Settlers.

Beyond its age and important past owner, Ingram says the house had many historical features.

"This one featured many of those distinct features you look for in some of these Victorian-era houses," Ingram said.

"Features like steeply pitched roofs, dormer windows, ornaments like finials and dentil molding, and just stuff you don't really see on houses built nowadays."

The house did not have official heritage status, although Ingram says even that might not have saved it.

Previous owners weren't able to keep up with needed repairs. A developer plans to split the lot into two single-family houses with secondary suites.

The developer could not be reached for comment before publication.

While it's too late to do anything to save the Polson House, the SOHS worries Bleak House, which is even older, might be next.

The house at 1637 Main St. was built in 1875 by Colin Inkster, a member of an influential Winnipeg family also descended from Selkirk Settlers, and a former member of the Legislative Assembly.

Jim Smith, president of the Northeast Winnipeg Historical Society, has been checking on the house every month for a year and a half, and he says he's noticed the deterioration progressing.

In one spot, he said, the siding has fallen away and insulation has been exposed.

"You see the outer boards of all are rotted off," Smith said. "In fact, when the snow is not there, you can see pieces of it on the ground."

Unlike the Polson House, Bleak House is owned by the City of Winnipeg. Smith says the city has not been maintaining the building.

"I find it really disgusting … because the longer it lasts, the worse it gets," he said.

WATCH | Historians worry after historic Winnipeg home demolished:

Historic Winnipeg home torn down, historians worry more buildings will see same fate

14 hours ago

Duration 2:23

Earlier this week, demolition crews began tearing down a Seven Oaks home that had stood for more than a century. Local historians worry other landmarks could face a similar fate.

Whether it's a private entity or the City of Winnipeg, Ingram says, it's up to the owners of historical buildings to preserve them.

"At the end of the day, you need to find the right owner for the right house for the right purpose. All those stars need to align so that it is being used, it's not vacant, and it's able to survive for many more decades."

Bleak House is currently used by a seniors group.

A city spokesperson says it's looking for funding opportunities to preserve the building. It's a designated heritage resource, and there are no plans to sell it, the spokesperson said.