The Old McNider Family House

The 1 MacNider Street  is one of a few houses which, for a long time, were owned by the MacNider family, descendants of the first Seigneur of Metis.

Of the MacNiders, it was John (1760-1829) who is considered the father of Metis because from 1818, he arranged for a mass immigration of settlers from his native Scotland.

To encourage the move, he provided the new families with two years of provisions and free rent. Although there were no real roads at the time, MacNider erected farms, a sawmill, a corn mill, a shipyard and dwelling houses. He influenced the establishment of Kempt Road (which you can find out more about on the East Trail). MacNider is largely responsible for developing what was initially an aboriginal fishing and gathering place, and making it into a thriving community, descendants of which still live here today.

This particular building has had a number of uses over the years including a Post Office with an apartment for the postmistress, a telegraph office and a CN ticket office.

Sherrill Shaver was appointed postmistress in 1942. She tells us about the bustle of living and working in this building.