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 was given to Fred McGuinness by Linda Bilkoski (nee Lepard) of Lac du Bonnet, MB.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the remains of the Syndicate Block after the fire in January 1916. The building is situated on the southwest corner of Seventh Street and Rosser Avenue. Ice from the firefighting process covers the building. The tailor shop J.S. Laughton & Son (701 Rosser Avenue) can be seen on the north side of Rosser Avenue.
Photograph has pen markings and publishing mark-up notes on front and back of matting
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the north side of the 900-block of Rosser Avenue, facing west from 9th Street. All the shops appear to be woodframed buildings; the sidewalk has yet to be installed and wooden planks have been laid down in front of the shops. Visible storefronts include: (left to right): Leask & Rose, general merchants (at the 11th Street intersect); Fortier & Bucke - Manufacturers' Agents and CPR Express Co.; The New Era - real estate office; Imperial Bank of Canada; Durand & Macdonald Law Office, T.D. McLean - jeweller; Deacon & Hooper - grocers; and J. Barker Vosburgh - Surgeon & Dentist. The building in the foreground has Rosser Avenue and 9th Street street signs affixed above the entrance to the building. A chuckwagon is parked in front of Fortier & Bucke.
Notes
Writing on the front of the photograph reads: Brandon.
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, along which sewer pipe is being laid. Visible buildings and businesses include: The Fleming Block with Lowes Brothers Clothing and Manitoba Farmers Hedge and Wire Fence Company, the Beaubier Block and its Empire Hotel, A.M. Percival (a grocer), the Brandon Hardware Company (600 block), and the Arlington Hotel (500 block) are visible along the north side of the avenue. The Bank of Hamilton Building is on the southeast corner of 8th Street and Rosser Avenue.
Notes
Writing on the front of the photograph matting reads: 290. Page appears to be from a photo album.
