Photograph was given to Fred McGuinness by Linda Bilkoski (nee Lepard) of Lac du Bonnet, MB.
Scope and Content
According the 1911 Henderson's Brandon City Directory, the Brandon Fire Department - headquartered at Seventh Street and Princess Avenue - had 16 permanent firemen. For equipment the department had one steamer, two chemicals, two hose wagons, one hose reel, one aerial aldder, one hook and ladder wagon, and 10 horses. The city had 34 electric fire alarm boxes and 114 fire hydrants. The pumping station had a capacity of 3.5 million gallons in 24 hours. By 1913, the Brandon Fire Department had 19 permanent employees on its roster and added 2 more horses as well as an 80 horsepower combination motor truck.
Notes
Photograph shows a pictorial nominal roll of the 18 members of the 1912 Brandon Fire Department. A logo of crossed hoses, axes, ladder, and helmet adorn the centre of the photo. The Cornell Trophy for the Brandon Fire Brigade is pictured at the top centre. Photos of two building fires are featured at the top corners. The Central Fire Hall and No. 2 Fire Hall are pictured at the bottom corners.
Members include: D. McDonald, T. Flowers, E. Harden, J. Adams, J. Daniel, Lt. A. Mowat, T. Calder, A.E. Elborne (secretary), F. Benson, A. Mair?, T. Dunnett, A. Flett, J. Todd, Lt. G. Taylor, M. Watson, A. Thomas [Calder?], Capt. R. Daley, Chief J. Melhuish, Eng. E. Boyes. Also pictured are Mayor J.W. Fleming and Alderman C.B.Coleman (chairman).
Postcard is of a combine bailing hay in the north end of Brandon at the junction of First Street and Veterans' Way. The Brandon city skyline is in the background and the orange Pioneer Grain elevator can be seen on the left side of the postcard.
Notes
Writing on the front of the postcard reads: Brandon, The Wheat City. Back of the postcard reads: Brandon the Agricultural and Industrial center for southwestern Manitoba; Photo by Sandy Black; Printed in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, by Leech Printing Ltd.
These records were produced between 1987 and 1988, the researching and writing period for The Wheat City: A Pictorial History of Brandon monograph. Published in 1988 by Western Producer Books (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan), The Wheat City is a 117-page soft cover book, containing black and white images.
Western Producer Books pitched the book’s concept to Fred McGuinness in the fall of 1987. This book was part of the publisher’s “city series” which focused on smaller cities such as Medicine Hat and Prince Albert. It was estimated that the book would contain a 6,000-word introduction followed by approximately 80 archival photographs of Brandon spanning from early settlement to the late 1950s/early 1960s.
Brandon University history major Pam Svistovski worked as McGuinness’ research assistant and McGuinness obtained images for the book from his own personal collection, the Brandon Sun, Lawrence Stuckey, the Archives of Manitoba, and the Western Pictorial Index.
Custodial History
Records were collected and created by McGuinness during the writing phase of the monograph The Wheat City. The materials were donated to the SJ McKee Archives by the Estate of Fred McGuinness circa 2011. The Archives accessioned the records in 2015.
Scope and Content
The subseries consists of textual records and photographs created and collected during the production of the monograph The Wheat City. It includes correspondence, newspapers articles, drafts and black and white photographs from the Archives of Manitoba, Western Canada Pictorial Index, and Illustrated Souvenir of Brandon.
Notes
Information in the history/biography was obtained from The Wheat City’s acknowledgements and a letter to Mr. Fred McGuinness from Western Producer Books, dated September 24, 1987 (McG 5.6, File 11)
Where known, archival reference numbers for photographs obtained from the Archives of Manitoba and the Western Canada Pictorial Index and considered/used in The Wheat City have been provided in the item level description
Accruals
Closed
Repro Restriction
Images published in the monograph and stored in files copyright protected by their respective organizations
Finding Aid
A file level inventory is available
Storage Location
2015 accessions
Related Material
Clarence Hopkin collection
Lawrence Stuckey collection
Jack Stothard collection
Fred McGuinness would write/publish about a topic in a number of forums. Therefore, it is possible research materials pertaining to this monograph may be found in the Fred McGuinness collection subseries: Correspondence (McG 1.2), Brandon Sun (McG 2.2) Miscellaneous freelance (McG 3.2), Local history research (McG 4.1), Manitoba: The Province & The People (McG 5.4), and Manitoba Enterprise (McG 5.5)
Arrangement
Arrangement was artificially created by the Archives. Subseries has been re-arranged according to picture sources
Photograph shows the City of Brandon parade float pulled by two clydesdale horses. The parade is in honour of the diamond anniversary of Canada's Confederation. The float is decorated with wheat sheaves, the city's coat of arms, and the words "education" and "health" adorn a pergola or arbour in the centre of the float. Seven people are on the float and appear to be in costume. An Aboriginal man is dressed in full regalia, one man appears to be in academic robes, another dressed as a farmer. One woman appears to be dressed like a nurse while another may be wearing a pioneer costume.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Brandon City's foat in 1927, Celebrating 60 years of Confederation, The lady in white is Miss Ann Carnahan who was on the city staff for a number of years and now resides in Victoria. She is my husbands [sic.] sister.
The Hanbury Manufacturing Company was located at 600-698 Assiniboine Avenue. Hanbury advertised themselves as sash, door, and blind manufacturers; lumber dealers;
Scope and Content
Photograph shows six men/carpenters in a window framing workshop.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: This was taken before Edna ws born. Ntocie the stove & pipes. This was the hard way of working & yet they never had a fire, everything was O.K. & good times. Dad, Ross Deitz, Charlie James, - , - , Cliff Sanford leaning on desk. 1900.
Photograph shows two separate views. One is of the main entrance of (Old) City Hall on Princess Avenue. The other view shows the ediface of the YMCA building as well as the adjacent St. Paul's United and First United Churches on 8th Street.
Notes
Part of "Souvenir of Brandon, Manitoba, Canada [viewbook], Printed by Photogelatine Engraving Co. Limited, Ottawa." Dates obtained from the Burchill's Music Store Henderson's Brandon City Directory listings (1927-1929). Writing on the front of the photograph reads: City Hall - Brandon, Man; YMCA, St. Paul's United & First Church United, Brandon, Man.
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.
Photograph sent to Fred McGuinness from Ms. Bertha Eastley in 2007 (see McG 1.2, File 60)
Scope and Content
Photograph shows a women's curling team standing on the ice with their corn brooms at the Wheat City Arena. Standing left to right are: Jane Loughran (skip), Ruth McGuinness, Ester Nicol, Gwen Lamont.
Notes
Writing on back of photograph reads: Jane Loughran (skip), Ruth McGuinness, Ester Nicol, Gwen Lamont.
Photograph shows a dozen boys belonging to a junior softball team. One boy is holding a trophy.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Webster Hiblock Junior Soft Ball Team Winners of Medicine Hat City Championship. Left to right are: Top row, Bruce Rae, Brian Heller Allen Browne, Gary Smith, Byron Kohls, Mr. J. Crane?. Bottom row: Douglas Gerber, Clayton Hirsch, Gallagher McGuinness, Billy Holden, Brian Crandell, Milton Klaudt, Kenneth Bix
Postcard has graphite smudge on the top right corner of image
History / Biographical
Wheat City Business College was established in 1904, when J.W. Beveridge and F.E. Werry resigned from the Commercial Department of Brandon College to establish the Wheat City Business College. It was located originally on the top floor of the Commercial Building at 143-10th Street, owned by Hughes and Co. Wheat City Business College continued to operate until the later 1960s. In 1911, the Henderson's Brandon City Directory lists the following teachers on staff: Mamie J. Macdougall, John B. Sample, John H. Snyder, Nettie M. Werry, and F.A. Wood (principal).
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by Allena Strath (nee Coombs).
Scope and Content
Postcard depicts the 1911 class of the Wheat City Business College. Students include: O. Mutrie, E. Mailey, J.W. Belcher, S. Downey, H.R. Dustan, G. Greaves, D. Burden, C.J. Howey, M. Madder, A. Mills, E. Ballantyne, E. Lang, A. Binnie, L. Trent, M. Clark, E. Robertson, T. Ortenburg, A. Barnes, W.B. Grainger, V. Sanderson, H. Smith, E. Horror, M. Deacon, J. Smith, S. Gardiner, C.D. McMillan, N. Barss, E.J. Scott, M. McEwen, A. Scott, W. Naser, J. Cope, M. Trotman, J. Jackson, M. Gurr, P. McChesney, A.H. Andrews, M. Agnew, R.N. Truman, L. Cameron, T.C. Taylor, G. McClement, A. Armour, M. Drake, D. Chambers, M. Bourke, W.M. McGregor, Miss. McIlmoyle, J. Tendeck, G. McChesney, J.B. Stephens, O. Thornborough, A. Connor, H. Teale, E. Karr, P. Borland, J. Middleton, M. McIlmoyle, F.A. Wood, Principal D. Chambers, M.I. McGregor, B. McDougall, M. Maxwell, W. Crane, M. Vandeau, A. Lee, A. Hargreaves, H. Gimby, J. English, A. Coombes, H.J. McAnerin, M.C. Green, A.M. McGuinness, A.E. Shingfield, R. Blanshard, C. Goldstone, R. Heyden, Q. Oliver, N. Sterling, E. Cohen, V.E. Potter, H. Bellamy, Miss Pattison, Miss N. Werry, Miss. McQuarrie, J.H. Snyder, Miss M. MacDougall, Mr. J.S. Sample, Miss Lowry, A. Standal, G. Kennedy, C. Stojanosski, J. Elliott, M. Stnartk, R. Rewand, J. Mcneill, A. Kirchner, E. Green, E. Barnett, C.H. Howey, W. Main, M. Trew, M. Livingstone, B. Donaldson, A. Miller, J. Irwin, P. Brooks, R. Frank, S.A. Brown, B. Isman, M. Spearin, S. Thorsteinson, Miss Watson, J.A. McDonald, E. Zachary,S. Baglole, C. O'Brien, M. Thompson, F. Bockus, J. Hudama, E. Thompson, F. Shanks, M. Morrison, E. Cookman, ?.S. Wedderburn, E. Robinovitch, M. Maskew, C.A. Sharpe, M. Dack, M. Cossar, L. Grassie, I. Porteous, L. Markell, G. Burden, O. Paget, L. Cunningham, H.P. Hilton, F. Neilly, M.C. Feedman, E.F. Dixon
Notes
Back of postcard reads: A HAPPY XMAS./ and A very propersous / NEW YEAR / F.A. Wood [Principal of the Wheat City Business College]. Postcard is addressed to Miss Allena Coombs, Box 628, City, and has a cancelled one cent green King George stamp postmarked December 23, 1911, Brandon, Man.
According to Veterans' Affairs Canada, there are 25 Crosses of Sacrifice in North America. The crosses were designed by the Canadian War Graves Commission's (CWGC) architect Sir Reginald Bloomfield, who designed a stone cross affixed with a bronze symbolic sword. The CWGC granted the Brandon Municipal Cemetery permission to privately erect the Cross of Sacrifice in its cemetery in exchange for maintaining the war graves in its cemetery.
The Brandon Great War Veterans Association erected the Cross of Sacrifice in the Brandon Municipal Cemetery in 1924 after a 10-day public fundraising campaign. At the time the Brandon Daily Sun reported that the Veterans Association required $5,000 to pay for the cross and the campaign ultimately raised $7,500. The memorial was initially dedicated to the local citizens who died as a result of the First World War.
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by G. Baldock in 1971
Scope and Content
Photograph is of a memorial service at the Cross of Sacrifice in the Brandon Municipal Cemetery. Members of the public are standing to the north of the cross, while soldiers and veterans stand to the south. A number of wreaths have been placed at the base of the monument.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: 5 prints. Dedication of the war memorial. around 1926-1927-28. I was scout master under Comissioner Harry Booth. P.E.H.
According to Veterans' Affairs Canada, there are 25 Crosses of Sacrifice in North America. The crosses were designed by the Canadian War Graves Commission's (CWGC) architect Sir Reginald Bloomfield, who designed a stone cross affixed with a bronze symbolic sword. The CWGC granted the Brandon Municipal Cemetery permission to privately erect the Cross of Sacrifice in its cemetery in exchange for maintaining the war graves in its cemetery.
The Brandon Great War Veterans Association erected the Cross of Sacrifice in the Brandon Municipal Cemetery in 1924 after a 10-day public fundraising campaign. At the time the Brandon Daily Sun reported that the Veterans Association required $5,000 to pay for the cross and the campaign ultimately raised $7,500. The memorial was initially dedicated to the local citizens who died as a result of the First World War.
Private Frank Barker (#33281) died on 27 June 1918. A member of the Canadian Army Medical Corps, Pte. Barker was on the Llandovery Castle Hospital Ship when it was torpedoed.
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by G. Baldock in 1971
Scope and Content
Photograph is of a close-up of a number of wreaths laid at the base of the Cross of Sacrifice in the Brandon Municipal Cemetery during a memorial service.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Winnifred Barker places wreath in memory of Frank Barker (my uncle) 1st Field Ambulance, many decorations including the "Mons Star," lost on the Hospital Ship Landovery Castle, 1918. - G. Baldock 1971 -
According to Veterans' Affairs Canada, there are 25 Crosses of Sacrifice in North America. The crosses were designed by the Canadian War Graves Commission's (CWGC) architect Sir Reginald Bloomfield, who designed a stone cross affixed with a bronze symbolic sword. The CWGC granted the Brandon Municipal Cemetery permission to privately erect the Cross of Sacrifice in its cemetery in exchange for maintaining the war graves in its cemetery.
The Brandon Great War Veterans Association erected the Cross of Sacrifice in the Brandon Municipal Cemetery in 1924 after a 10-day public fundraising campaign. At the time the Brandon Daily Sun reported that the Veterans Association required $5,000 to pay for the cross and the campaign ultimately raised $7,500. The memorial was initially dedicated to the local citizens who died as a result of the First World War.
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by G. Baldock in 1971
Scope and Content
Photograph is of a group of people examining wreaths that have been laid at the base of the Cross of Sacrifice in the Brandon Municipal Cemetery during a memorial service.
In November 1966, McGuinness was hired as vice-president to the Brandon Sun. He moved to Brandon with his family and had a career with the paper until his death in 2011. During his years with the Sun, McGuinness wrote a tri-weekly “Sunbeams” (sometimes spelled “Sun Beams”) column using the nom-de-plume F.A. [Fifth And] Rosser. Sunbeams was similar to McGuinness’ “Lighthouse” column for The Medicine Hat News; commenting on a variety of current events, Sunbeams also included book reviews, local events, and reminiscences.
Upon his retirement in January 1987, McGuinness was made publisher emeritus of the Brandon Sun. A week after his retirement, he began writing a new column for the Sun, called the “Diary.” Initially a bi-weekly column, which was made into a weekly column in 2009, McGuinness continued writing the “Diary” until his hospitalization in 2010. The Diary column was primarily a historical retrospective of Brandon, although it also touched on broader topics of interest to McGuinness during the time period.
Custodial History
Accession 1-2015 contains records created and collected over the course of McGuinness’ career as a newspaper journalist and freelance writer. The Estate of Fred McGuinness donated the materials to the SJ McKee Archives circa 2011. The Archives accessioned the records in 2015.
Scope and Content
The subseries contains records created and collected by Fred McGuinness during his time as a journalist, editor, and freelance writer with the Brandon Sun. The records consist of scrapbooks of Sunbeams columns, Sunbeam drafts, Diary drafts, article proofs, column research, and correspondence.
Notes
Readers’ correspondence pertaining to McGuinness’ time with the Brandon Sun can be found in Fred McGuinness’ personal papers, subseries McG 1.2 Correspondence. Possible research for his Sunbeam and Diary columns may be found in McG 4.1 Local history research and McG 2.3 Neighborly News (File 3)
Accruals
Closed
Finding Aid
A file level inventory is available
Storage Location
2015 accessions
Arrangement
Arrangement was artificially created by the Archives. Subseries has been re-arranged according to publication period
Postcard is of buildings at Brandon University, including Clark Hall and the Original Building prior to the renovations, McMasater Hall, and the Q.E.II School of Music building.
Notes
Writing on the front of the postcard reads: Brandon University. Back of the postcard reads: (Top Left) Brandon University original building (Administration Center.), Bottom Left) Queen Elizabeth II Music Building, (Right) McMaster Hall Residence; Photo by Sandy Black; Printed in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, by Leech Printing Ltd.
Photograph shows exterior views of five Brandon churches: Baptist Church, Presbyterian Church, St. Matthew's Church, Catholic Church and Monastery, and Methodist Church.
Notes
Part of "Christie's Brandon Series of Six Colored Picture Postcards of Brandon, Manitoba, The Crown Series, Published by Christie's Bookstore, Brandon, Man." [note: missing sixth postcard]. Writing on the front of the photograph reads: Baptist Church, Presbyterian Church Brandon Man., St. Matthew's Church, Catholic Church and Monastery, Methodist Church.
Photograph shows a canvas tent boarding house and wooden shack advertising soup, meat, and bread for 25 cents and hot tea and coffee. A man wearing a vest is standing in the doorway of the shack. Another man wearing a three-piece suit and hat is seated on a seat at the corner of the structure while another man wearing an apron leans against the shack. Clothes can be seen drying on the surface of the large canvas tent.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Between 5th and 6th Street, Pacific Avenue opposite old CPR Station, April 1882. Photograph is stamped Public Archives Canada.