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Winnipeg, Manitoba - This ‘hot spot’ is Winnipeg’s Assiniboine Park Zoo. World-famous children’s character 'Winnie the Pooh' was named for the city of Winnipeg. A real bear cub, from White River Ontario, inspired the stories. During WW I a Captain Harry Colebourn purchased her for $10 from a trapper, during a stop at the White River station. He took her on to England as his troop's mascot, and named her Winnie for his home city of Winnipeg. Before shipping on to France he left Winnie at the London Zoo, where she was discovered by author A.A. Milne’s delighted son. Winnie inspired Milne to write the stories for his child, who called the cub 'Winnie the Pooh'. A statue of Winnie and Captain Colebourn stands in Assiniboine Park. (Historica Video) Photograph (c) Doug Ross. |
