Click on the picture to see a larger version.

Landaulet at the Western Development Museum in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, May 1997. See The Horse Cab (4).

Source:

Photo by Norman Beattie.

Winnipeg Cab History / 84

Summing Up (1)

Looking backward from the 1960s to the 1870s, we can detect several significant phases in the evolution of the Winnipeg cab industry.

Cab operations were originally sidelines to the livery stable and the dray and express businesses. The sidelines catered to an emerging market fostered by Winnipeg's growing population and economic activity.

As the town's population grew, some livery stable owners, such as Dave Storey and Charles "Dublin Dan" James, began to specialize in cabs. The introduction of street cabs gave customers convenient access to transportation without the need of pre-booking at a livery stable.

Local conditions distinguished the Winnipeg cab industry from its counterparts in older, larger, cities. Muddy streets and the shortage of both human and horse labour led to two-horse cabs, better treatment of horses and higher wages for drivers.

The Winnipeg horse cab business held its ground from the 1880s to 1910 despite competition from other modes of transportation. This was thanks the enormous growth of Winnipeg's population.