.jpg)
A modest Portage la Prairie neighbourhood has a deeper past than many residents might expect, according to local historian James Kostuchuk.
Kostuchuk says Mellenville began as a Depression-era project in the 1930s when the City of Portage la Prairie donated land to help struggling families build homes. The initiative supported primarily Métis families and provided both property and limited financial assistance.
"People were given land and, in some cases, modest support to build what we might now call cabins — single-room homes," notes Kostuchuk.
Related stories:
- Portage historian receives Lieutenant Governor's Award
- *WATCH* Portage Historian on 116th Birthday: "Our history is one of struggle."
He discovered the neighbourhood’s origins while sorting through the files of the late Les Green, a local collector of historical documents. Among the papers was a folder marked "Mellenville," which included photos and names of the families who first settled the area.
The neighbourhood’s name, Kostuchuk adds, came from a city councillor named Mellen, who proposed the land donation plan.
"It’s not named after the comedy sketch from SCTV like some might assume," he says.
Today, Mellenville is bordered by newer developments, but a few original homes — some modest and weathered — still stand, hinting at its beginnings as a city-backed response to poverty during one of Canada’s hardest economic periods.
Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon.
Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@portageonline.com.
PortageOnline encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the PortageOnline app.
