Partner City
The Pas
Adventure Territory
The Pas has been the site of a Cree encampment for thousands of years. Then beginning in the late 17th Century, French and English explorers, fur traders and missionaries passed through this area in increasing numbers. The French established a trading post, Fort Paskoyac in the mid-1700s, and a century later the British established an Anglican mission where Devon Park is today. A Roman Catholic mission followed in 1887. By the early 1900s large numbers of European settlers arrived here, looking to exploit the region's abundant fish, timber, and mineral wealth. In 1906 the Opaskwayak Cree Nation surrendered the modern townsite of The Pas and were relocated to a reserve on the north side of the river, which remains there to this day. From that point the Town of The Pas grew quickly, especially after the region was incorporated into the province of Manitoba in 1912. The town became the hub for economic and administrative activity in northern Manitoba. It was frequented by steamers plying the Saskatchewan River, and linked to the rest of Canada by the Hudson's Bay Railway. Major sawmills were established, and The Pas became the centre of regional government administration. The town had a large population for a relatively remote northern community, allowing the development of a distinct local culture, including the world famous Trappers' Festival for dog sled racing. Though the community suffered from economic hardship with the closure of the sawmills and other industries in the 1980s and 1990s, the economy and population have been rebounding in recent years.
The Sam Waller Museum virtual tours produced by On This Spot were made possible by the financial assistance of the Manitoba Arts Council. The project was initiated from the generous bequest of the estate of Marilyn Dupas for improvement to the Sam Waller Museum exhibits. The Friends of Sam Waller Museum are grateful for the funding they received to have these virtual tours developed to share the history of Sam Waller and the community of The Pas and surrounding area.
We respectfully acknowledge that The Pas is located in the traditional territory of the Cree, Inninnowuk, Dene, Saulteax, Oji-Cree, Anishinabe and Métis.
Virtual Tours
Tours
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The Pas
Then and Now Photos
View of 1st Street
Sam Waller Museum Archives PP2001.2.1a
1922
A view down 1st Street, showing the Roman Catholic Church and the Hospital. To the right you can also see the vegetable gardens tended to by the nuns.
A Flying Boat
Sam Waller Museum Archives PP93.18.487
ca. 1920s
A large crowd of people have gathered to see a flying boat that has landed on the river and docked at The Pas. The rickety twin-engined plane helped connect isolated northern communities without the need for proper landing strips.
Fingerville
Sam Waller Museum Archives PP2.26.16
ca. 1920s
Workers building a line of identical homes in Fingerville to house the town's growing working population.
The Finger Mill
Sam Waller Museum Archives PP84.81.4
ca. 1920s
A view of the Finger Mill taken from across the Saskatchewan River.
Carrot River Log Drive
Sam Waller Museum Archives PP94.8.5
1930
A log drive on the Carrot River showing two men with pikes maneuvering a log boom. A steamer puffs along behind them.
Passing through the Bridge
Sam Waller Museum Archives PP2000.6.37
1934
The sternwheeler SS Nipawin passes through the swing bridge on the way upriver.
The Community Building
Sam Waller Museum Archives PP2000.10.11
1931
A quarter-view of the Community Building and Court House in The Pas. It was completed in 1916 after The Pas was designated seat of the Northern Judicial District. The second floor was used as a public assmebly hall, separately from the courtroom on the main floor. This made the building the centre of local government and social activities and it played a huge role in the community.
In 1982 the court was moved, and after public pressure the building was acquired by the municipal government and turned into the Sam Waller Museum.
Building the Powerhouse
Sam Waller Museum Archives PP84.111.1
1928
Scaffolding covers the Powerhouse during its construction. It has gone through several uses over its lifetime, becoming the town hall and fire hall, and now the town library.
St. Anthony's Hospital
Sam Waller Museum Archives PP93.18.250
ca. 1940s
A crowd of people has gathered outside of St. Anthony's Hospital and appear to be waiting to get inside.
Laverendrye Motel
Sam Waller Museum Archives PP2008.9.13
ca. 1950s
The Laverendrye Motel on Highway 10 at the outskirts of The Pas. The building survives today and is now The Pas Motel.
