For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
North side of Rosser Avenue, looking west from Ninth Street
Notes
Businesses (left to right): Leask & Ro___ General merchandise, Fortier & Bucke - Manufacturers' Agents and CPR Express Co., The New Era, Imperial Bank of Canada, Durand & Macdonald Law Office, T.D. McLean - jeweller, and J. Barker Vosburgh - Surgeon & Dentist. From Fred McGuinness.
Erected in 1889, at 806 Rosser Avenue (the southeast corner of Rosser Avenue and 7th Street), the building was designed by Brandon architect W.H. Shillinglaw. At the time of its construction the structure housed the Nation Department Store, which became Nation & Shewan Department Store in 1894. One of Brandon’s largest and most successful drygoods businesses, the venture was owned and operated by Fred Nation and Alexander Shewan.
Built adjacent to an existing three storey brick building known as the A.D. Rankin Block (built sometime between 1885 and 1888), this smaller building was eventually absorbed by the Nation and Shewan Block after 1897, when Rankin Drygoods moved into the newly constructed Syndicate Block located farther east down Rosser Ave. Later, the Rankin Block became known as Nation Chambers. These two structures comprised what was known as the Nation and Shewan Block.
Major improvements were made to the store and an annex was added in 1910. Some of the renovation additions included, but were not limited to: an updated frontage with new copper sash windows and prismatic glass tops, plate glass windows, new fixtures and carpet. With the renovations the floor space of the business was almost doubled. The stock of the business also increased, with the Brandon Weekly Sun reporting that when finished, Nation & Shewan would be a “store of which the citizens of Brandon will be justly proud.”
The drygoods firm operated until Nation’s death 1926, when it became known as A. Shewan Limited. From 1933 to 1944, the business was known as Shewan and Son. Shortly thereafter, the Metropolitan Stores Ltd began operating out of the Nation & Shewan Block.
In 2000, the Town Centre prepared to knock down what was then known as the Red Apple Building, the former Nation & Shewan Block. The demolition was to make way for the new atrium and entrance for the mall, and begin a new period of redevelopment at the downtown shopping centre.
Custodial History
See fonds level description of the Alf Fowler collection for custodial history.
Scope and Content
Photo shows the front of the Nation & Shewan Block, which was located in the 800 block of Rosser Avenue on the southside.
Storage Range
RG 5 Western Manitoba Manuscript collection - photograph storage drawer
Photograph of an east side of 10th Street facing north from Princess Avenue. Visible businesses include: Thunderbird Bowl, Canadian Pacific Telegraphs, Pittsburgh Paint & Glass, Strand Theatre, Trans Canada Credit Loans, Ted Heming Jewellers, Carlton Cafe, McKenzie Seeds, Clement Block, Mitrou's Cafe and Tea Room, and Brandon Musical Supply Ltd. Vehicles parked on 10th Street are facing north.
Notes
Photograph dated from "Tara's Bulba," the movie playing at the Strand Theatre and similiar vehicles captured in the photograph.
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Syndicate Block
Notes
Located at the SW corner of 7th St. & Rosser Ave (former location of Eaton's store).
Tenants at time of photo: The Merchants Lt., McWhirter & Ball, Vincent & MacPherson. For history of Vincent & MacPherson see Brandon: A City, pp 125-126, by Barker.
Built in 1956 on the southeast east corner of 10th St. and Rosser Avenue (former site of the Olympia Cafe)
In the summer of 1981 the S.S. Kresge store closed, and the Bass Building was purchased by the Bank of Montreal with the intention to renovate and open in 1982.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Bass Building (ex. S.S. Kresge store)
Notes
[Mr. Stuckey indicated on the envelope that there are two negatives, but only one in enclosed.]
Photograph shows Ted Heming Jewellers on the east side of 10th Street, Brandon, Manitoba, with the Strand Theatre to the south of the building complex. Other visible businesses in the Strand Block include: Hughes & Co. Ltd., Smart's Stationery, Waddell's, and Metropolitan Life.
Notes
Photograph dated from "Gidget," the movie playing at the Strand Theatre