History and Heritage

The area of Sainte-Anne was one of the earliest settled areas East of the Red River. The first settlers to the area were Métis and people from Québec and are reported to have arrived at Pointe-des-Chênes in 1856. The area was selected for its farmland and forest areas. The 198 families that settled into the area tried to make their living through agriculture. In order to supplement that living, the first industry to spring up in the area was that of supplying lumber for the construction of the St. Boniface Cathedral.

In the 1860's and 1870’s a Hudson Bay Company trading post, a hotel, a general store, a blacksmith and even a jail were erected in Sainte-Anne south of the Seine River and East of the present community. From 1868 to 1871, the construction of the Dawson Trail linking Fort William with St. Boniface was completed. This permitted the area of Sainte-Anne to further develop with the influx of travelers along this new Canadian trail. In the 1870’s the settlement gradually moved north of the Seine River in the present town site. From the late 1880’s to late 1890’s the Canadian Northern Railway (now CN) was built through Ste-Anne-des-Chênes.

The Town of Sainte-Anne today is a thriving community of some 2,891 residents. It boasts all of the amenities of comfortable living. Its residents enjoy fine churches, schools, indoor/outdoor recreational facilities, and municipal services. Situated within easy commuting distance of Winnipeg, the Town of Sainte-Anne will undoubtedly continue to be a community that attracts and retains its citizens.

Historic Dates (Updated September 2024):

This is a brief list of historic dates of the Town of Sainte-Anne:

• • Pre-1850-The Saulteaux also known as Ojibwa were the first inhabitants in this area.
  • 1852-First settlers to establish themselves at Oak Point
  • 1856-Parish of Saint-Alexandre is founded at Oak Point
  • 1857-William Perrault, the first child of Oak Point settlers, is born
  • 1865-The first teacher arrives, Mrs. Jean Baptiste Gauthier, maiden name Rosalie Germain.
  • 1867-Blessing of the first chapel, named Saint-Alexandre Chapel Msgr. Taché entrusts the parish at Oak Point to Sainte Anne, patron Saint of Breton and Canadians
  • 1868-Construction of the Dawson Trail begins. It is completed in 1871
  • 1869-First baptism in Parish registers was of Virginie Perreault daughter of Damase Perreault and Anny St-Germain.
  • 1870-Construction of the Hudson Bay store. Arson in 1980’s.
  • 1871-First marriage in Parish registers was of Jean-Baptiste (Johnny) Cyr and Madeleine Perreault, daughter of Jean-Baptiste Perreault and Catherine Grouette.
  • 1880-Construction of the first Hotel, built between Ste-Anne and La Coulée along the Seine River on the south side.
  • 1881-RM of Ste-Anne incorporated.
  • 1883-Arrival of the Gray Nuns.
  • 1885-Arrival of the first doctor, Dr. François-Xavier Demers at 25 years of age. He served the community till his death in 1939.
  • 1890-1908 RM of Ste-Anne and RM of LaBroquerie amalgamated under RM of LaBroquerie name.
  • 1895-The cornerstone for the first church is blessed. Church opens to the public in 1898 on River Lot #56 previously owned by Augustin Nolin and Anne-Hélène Cameron.
  • 1897-1900- Construction of railway South Eastern Railway (SER) from Winnipeg to International Border through Ste-Anne for a total of 109 miles. In 1900 SER joined the Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR) and later in 1919 joined the Canadian National Railway. Conversion from steam engine locomotives to diesel engines was done during the 1950’s.
  • 1898- The first railway station was built probably on River Lot #13 on the south side of the Seine River in line with a developing hamlet on that south side of the river. In 1906 because of the steep grade going east, it was moved to the west end of the present-day town of Ste-Anne on the Dawson Trail and on the north side of the Seine River. In 1920 a new station was built by CNR. It was sold and moved to St. Adolphe MB in the early 1980’s.
  • 1908- RM of Ste-Anne re-established.
  • 1908-1910-Construction of the RM of Ste-Anne Building on Central Avenue and used by RM until 2013.
  • 1916- Arrival of the Redemptorist Fathers.
  • 1917-Construction of the Redemptorist Monastery. It was severely damaged by fire in March of 1951. It was finally demolished in 1992.
  • 1921-Construction of the Piney Bridge (Old Cement Bowstring Arch Bridge) built on Piney Road (now Finnigan Street). It replaced Pelland Bridge (a wooden bridge built between 1866-1870 and a second wooden bridge built in 1881. In 1987, Piney Bridge was designated a Heritage Site. Heritage status was revoked in 2013 and it was demolished the same year.
  • 1931-Ste-Anne C0-Operative was incorporated.
  • 1937-Salle Paroissiale-Ste-Anne Parish Hall was built for Parish activities such as theatrical plays, movies, card parties, fund raising, etc. It served afterwards as a sewing factory before being demolished in the 1980’s.
  • 1937-Ste-Anne Elevator built by McCabe Grain. It was sold to United Grain Growers in 1968. An annex was added in 1972. It was closed and demolished in 2001.
  • 1938-Electricity comes to Ste-Anne (Source: MB Hydro).
  • 1939-Caisse Populaire of Sainte-Anne founded.
  • 1954-Blessing and official opening of the Sainte-Anne Hospital.
  • 1959-June 11, 7pm: The worst flood in Sainte-Anne's history. Water rises at a rate visible to the eye. The hospital is evacuated. It passes quickly. By morning, all danger is past.
  • 1960-Completion of the Seine River diversion project.
  • 1963-Incorporation of the Village of Sainte-Anne.
  • 1964-Blessing and official opening of the Villa Youville.
  • 1971-Blessing and official opening of the Seine Medical Centre.
  • 1997- Town of Ste-Anne incorporated.
  • 2006-Ste-Anne Roman Catholic Church designated a Manitoba Heritage Site.
  • 2010-Unveiling of the Lavack Family pocket park at corner of Central Avenue and Smith Street.
  • 2018-Ste-Anne Co-Op name changed to Clearview Consumer Co-Op.
  • 2021-2022-Construction of New Town of Ste-Anne Administration Office at 14 Central.
  • 2022-Unveiling of Ste-Anne area Pioneer Park and Interpretative Site at west end of town.
  • 2022- A wrong was corrected by the Catholic Church by blessing an area in the cemetery that was originally set aside for perceived unholy souls.
  • 2024-Construction of Ste-Anne Co-Op Grocery Store on Traverse South.

Sainte-Anne Pioneer Families

In recognition of our Pioneer Families, a list of some 290 Pioneer Families between 1850 and 1890 has been researched and presented in two formats; one in alphabetical order of the men and the other in alphabetical order of the women. In so doing it is much easier to locate your ancestors on the male or female side.  View the list of Sainte-Anne Pioneer Families below either by order of the men or the women.The ethnic origins and the names of the spouses, which are too often overlooked, are based on a variety of sources, such as the 1871-1881-1891 Manitoba Census, the Ste-Anne Parish 1876-1976 Centennial book, cemetery lists and internet research.  One can notice that our pioneers are from a variety of ethnic sources, but that the Métis and the French from Québec and those repatriated from the States are of primary importance. 

Have a good look by clicking on either of the badges below, and maybe you can discover some of your ancestors.

(Research by: Norman Lavack)

Men	Women