According to G.F. Barker (Brandon: A City, 1977, 291), William (Billy) Muir worked at Coombs & Stewart's on Pacific Avenue until he opened his own grocery store in 1888. The shop was located at 143-6th Street, Brandon, and was demolished for a parking lot in 1952.
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by Allena Strath (nee Coombs).
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the "Wm. Muir General Grocer" building on 6th Street. Two men pose in the doorway of the store. The man on the left is likely William Muir. Barrels are lined on the boardwalk in front of the store. Apples and mason jars can be seen in the shop's windows.
Notes
Front of photograph reads: Sixth Street between Rosser - Princess. Back of photograph reads: Billy Muir's Store, 143 6th Street Brandon - 57 years in business in this location. An address label affixed to the back of the mat reads: Mrs. James Strath, Box 421, Souris, Man.
William "Billy" Muir came to Brandon in 1881 where he worked at the Coombs & Stewart general store. He became the proprietor of Brandon's first grocery store located on 138-6th Street. The building was demolished in 1952 (see Brandon Daily Sun 04 September 1952). According to correspondence in the McGuinness collection (see McG 1.2 File 22), Dr. Matheson brought the first car to Brandon, which he later sold to Muir. A note in McGuinness' papers (see McG 1.2 File 53) identifies the first motor car as a Hupmobile, which was purported to have arrived in Brandon in 1905. The Hupp Motor Car Company, however, is reported to have manufactured Hupmobiles between 1909 and 1940. Mrs. (Jessie) R.M. Coombs was Allena Strath's (nee Coombs) mother.
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by Allena Strath (nee Coombs).
Scope and Content
Postcard shows a woman, identified as Mrs. (Jessie) Robert M. Coombs, seated behind the wheel of a motor car.
Notes
Back of postcard reads: Mother Mrs. R. [Robert] M. Coombs in Billy Muir's car, Brandon around 1908
Photograph was in possession of Mrs. Ruby Miles, who passed the image on to Fred McGuinness. McGuinness makes reference to Mrs. Miles and this photograph in his Sunbeams column (Source: F.A. Rosser, "Another interesting chat with a daughter of the plains," Brandon Sun 18 Aug 1981).
Scope and Content
Photograph allegedly shows the Wheat City Business College graduating class standing outside a woodframed building in the winter. Affixed to the building are posters/advertisements that read: Happyland, Monday July 30 [1906?]. A banner spelling Happyland in large block letters hangs above the building's door that is numbered 209. Surrounding the banner are the red ensign/Dominion of Canada flags.
The students are wearing long wintercoats with fur collars, some are wearing fur hats. The men appear to have ribbons pinned to their lapels. On the left of the photograph, a group of three female students are sitting in a horse-drawn sleigh and have fur robes on their laps. On the right, a number of students are standing on a horse-drawn sled. Two individuals can be seen holding megaphones, another student is holding a basketball.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: 1909, Tenth Street and Princess. Two yellow labels are affixed to the back of the photograph. one reads: graduating class, Wheat City Business College. The other reads Mrs. K.L. McGregor, 157-4th St.
Brient was a point along the Algoma Central Railway line that connected the Helen Mine to the Michipicoten Harbour. It is located southwest of Wawa, Ontario.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows several men standing on railway tracks before a wood-framed train station in the winter. A sign attached to the station reads: British American Express Co. The man in the foreground appears to have a mailbag over on his back and several newspapers tucked beneath his arm.
Notes
Writing beneath the photograph in the album reads: station at Brient
In 1901, American entrepreneur Francis Hector Clergue (1856-1939) obtained the charter for the Ontario, Hudson Bay and Western Railway. Following his purchase, he reincoporated the Algoma Central Railway to the Algoma Central and Hudson's Bay Railway. (Source: Sault St. Mairie Public Library, "Transportation - Algoma Central Railway," Sault History Online, 2008)
Scope and Content
Photograph shows railroad tracks cutting through the Canadian Shield.
Notes
Writing beneath the photograph in the album reads: Algoma Central & Hundson Bay Ry.
The Lake Talbot tresle was a point along the Algoma Central Railway line that connected the Helen Mine to the Michipicoten Harbour. It is located north of Wawa and southwest of the Helen Mine.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows several men walking a railway line. Before them is a tresle bridge.
Notes
Writing beneath the photograph in the album reads: Lake Talbott Tresle [sic.]
Photograph shows the midway at the 1913 Dominion Fair. Attractions include California Orange Juice stand and Patterson's Animal Trainer Show. The Dominion Exhibition Display Building II can be seen in the background.
Notes
Photograph appears to be a part of a sequence of photographs, see 20-2009.30 to 20-2009.40
Photographs have been glued to a backing board that has warped over time
Scope and Content
Photograph shows parade floats travelling on 100 block of 8th Street (Brandon). Horse-drawn floats appear to belong to the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, Murdock/Murdoch Brothers (furniture dealers), and F.W. Durst (cement contractor). Businesses visible in the background include the Sylvester Brothers Manufacturing Company and McDiarmid and Clarke lumber and fuel yard. Spectators in the foreground are leaning on a wooden fence likely belonging to the Old City Hall.
Notes
Writing on the front of the photograph matting reads: 315 July 1906. Two photographs (20-2009.7, 20-2009.6) are glued on the reverse side. Page appears to be from a photo album.
Photograph exfoliated on edges where masking tape has been removed.
History / Biographical
In 1912, the Brandon Daily Sun (30 September 1912) published an article about the 7th Annual Meeting of the Manitoba Association of Architects that was held at the Prince Edward Hotel on September 28. It was the first time that the association held an annual meeting outside of Winnipeg. Local architect W.A. Elliott was elected first vice president of the assocation. As part of the meeting's entertainment, the Brandon Automobile Club provided excursions around the city, making special stops at the fair grounds, industrial school, new asylum buildings, and the experimental farm.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows a group of gentlemen wearing overcoats and hats posing with a motor car parked in front of the Prince Edward Hotel. A Brandon pennant is attached to the windshield of the vehicle. The large man standing second from the right wearing a light top hat and coat is architect W.A. Elliott.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Return to Brandon Sun, F.V. Haney and T.W. Willey, September 14, 1912.
Postcard shows a street scene of Donald Street looking south from the Portage Avenue Intersection.
Notes
Writing on the back of the postcard reads: Aug 9, Dear ruth, Aunt Eva, Aunt Annie and Fred were over to the bowlnig greens tonight. Every one fine. Doddy. Postcard is addressed to Ruth McGuinness, 337-17th St., Brandon, Man. Postmarked: Winnipeg 12 PM Aug 10 1927 Man.
The HMCS Fraser (1951-1994) was a St. Laurent-class destroyer in the Royal Canadian Navy/Canadian Forces. It was a Canadian designed and built warship.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows Fred McGuinness and his sons on board the H.M.C.S. Fraser. A plaque reads: Atlantic, Je Suis Pret, 1939-40.
Notes
Stamp of the back of the photograph reads: National Defence Photograph Canada (copyright), Please credit Nat. Def. Photo 77842.
Photograph was in possession of Mrs. Ruby Miles, who passed the image on to Fred McGuinness. McGuinness makes reference to Mrs. Miles and this photograph in his Sunbeams column (Brandon Sun 14 September 1978).
Scope and Content
Photograph shows a truck advertising O-Pee-Chee Chewing Gum parked in front of Brandon College's Clark Hall. The truck has been identified in the Stuckey collection as a Ford "Model T" delivery wagon. Its windshield is covered with a large advertisement that says, "Equipped with Dunlop Traction Tread Tires." Its license plate reads 1913 #2945. The truck is facing south on 18th Street. A middle-aged man is standing in front of the wagon; a box of gum rests on the truck's right fender. The driver, sporting a gadsby cap and tie, is proping up a box of gum on the driver's side door. Three young men, wearing suits, ties, and gadsby caps, are standing behind the wagon while holding open boxes of chewing gum.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Mrs. R. Miles. The photograph is stamped Davidson & Gowen, Photographers, Brandon, Man.
Photograph given to Fred McGuinness by Helen Turner
Scope and Content
Photograph shows a man - George Porterfield - dressed in a three-piece and hat sitting at the reins of a horse drawn buggy. The buggy appears to be parked on Lorne Avenue beside the bandstand at Stanely Park.
Notes
Note attached to the back of the photograph reads: This George Porterfield, who lived on a farm 4.9.19. Delivered eggs, cream & milk in Brandon by this method in the early 1920. Maybe he was out courting Mary, he looks pretty dressed up.
Photograph given to Fred McGuinness by Helen Turner
Scope and Content
Photograph shows a man - George Porterfield - and woman - Mary Porterfield - posing with a vehicle on a farm property.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Taken in the Summer at one of the neighbour homes George & myself. Note attached to the back of the photograph reads: George & Mary got married on June 6th 1923 and lived on the farm. This is their first car.
Photograph shows the Brandon Wheat Market along Pacific Avenue on November 30, 1885. Farmers can be seen driving wagon teams loaded with bags of grain in line on Pacific Avenue from 10 Street to at least 7th Street. On the north side of Pacific Avenue the CPR Land Office and grain elevators are pictured. On the south side of Pacific Avenue, the general merchant/hardware store Bower, Blackburn, Mundell & Porter is situated on the corner of Pacific Avenue and 10th Street. A 10th Street sign is affixed to the merchants' store. On the east side of the general store, Edie House, the Grand View Hotel, and a Farmers' boarding and lodging house can be seen. Most of the buildings appear to be woodframed except for the Grand View, which is constructed of brick. Sidewalks appear to be in place on the south side of Pacific and snow dusts the streets. A baby swathed in winter clothing sits in a pram/baby carriage in front of the general store.
Notes
Writing on the front of the photograph reads: Novemeber 30th, 1885, Brandon Wheat Market
Photograph was in possession of Mrs. Ruby Miles, who passed the image on to Fred McGuinness. McGuinness makes reference to Mrs. Miles and this photograph in his Sunbeams column (Brandon Sun 14 September 1978).
Scope and Content
Photograph shows a wagon displaying advertisements for Taylor's Infants-Delight Toilet Soap and Dyson's Red Cross Baking Powder. The Gilmore Advertising Company appears to be responsible for the advertising and the wagon is numbered "No.3". The horsedrawn wagon is facing north on 18th Street and is parked in front of Brandon College's Original Building. An elderly man is seated at the reigns of the wagon and another man is seated at the rear. Standing to the left of the wagon is a man holding a can of Dyon's baking powder. Standing to the right of the wagon is a young man holding a cardboard ad of an infant holding a bar of soap in a wash basin.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Mrs. R. Miles. Cover shot. The photograph is stamped Davidson & Gowen, Photographers, Brandon, Man. Note: The two men standing in the photograph appear to be in another photograph where they are advertising O-Pee-Chee gum (see 20-2009.96).
Photographs have been glued to a backing board that has warped over time
Scope and Content
Photograph shows street view of north side of Rosser Avenue, primarily the 700 block. Horse and buggies are travelling on the avenue and pedestrians fill the sidewalks. Union Jacks and English flags are mounted from the windows on the Fleming and Beaubier blocks. Flag banners are drapped across Rosser Avenue. Businesses visible in the Fleming Block include: Lowes Brothers Clothing and Spring Park Nurseries. Businesses visible in the Beaubier Block include the Empire Hotel. Businesses east of the Empire Hotel are grocer A.M. Percival and the Brandon Hardware Company. An advertisement for the Northern Bank is affixed to a telephone pole on the southside of the street.
Notes
Writing on the front of the photograph matting reads: July 1 1906, 314. One photograph (20-2009.8) is glued below and another, 20-2009.6, is glued on the reverse side. Page appears to be from a photo album.
