Mrs. McVicar was Brandon's/Grand Valley's first postmistress. Biographical details about Mrs. McVicar can be found in a newspaper clipping [F.A. ROSSER, “Sunbeams – The Birds Dived Down Like Fighters on Gopher,” Brandon Sun, September 16, 1978, 3] in McG 4.1 File 67.
Custodial History
Photograph was brought to Fred McGuinness by Owen Anderson of Cypress River, Manitoba.
Scope and Content
Photograph is a portrait of Mrs. McVicar sitting outside of her home in Texas.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph consists of greetings and salutations to the unknown recipients. Photograph "finished by Edrington's Studio, Weslaco, Texas."
Harry Spafford (b. 22 Oct 1888, d. 10 May 1978) was born in Holmfield, Manitoba. He married Isabella Hawking of Ninga in 1914 and the couple moved to Brandon in 1915 where they continued to reside until 1973. Harry worked as a locomotive fireman and then as an engineer with the Canadian Northern Railway (CN). While with CN, he was an active member of the Brotherhood of Local Engineers and Firemen No. 788 of Brandon. He served as an alderman in Brandon from 1928 to 1945. In 1932, Harry ran in the Manitoba by-election for Brandon as an Independent Labour candidate and lost to the Conservative member George Dinsdale. In 1952, Harry ran as a Co-Operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) member in the provincial election and lost to Conservative party representative Reg Lissaman. Harry Spafford passed away in Burnaby, BC, and is interred in the Ocean View Cemetery. (Source: see obituary in McG 4.1 File 66)
Alva/Alvery/"Alvie" Reddell/Riddell/Ridall Spafford (b. 15 Mar 1891, d. 23 Aug 1985) was born in Enterprise, Manitoba, in the R.M. of Turtle Mountain. In 1911, he married Francis Ethel Harrison (d. 1979) in Killarney and had three children. Alvie farmed in Bannerman from 1902 to 1936, after which he moved to Boissevain to work as a Rawleigh salesman. In 1942, the family moved to Brandon where Alvie worked as a conductor with the CNR until his retirement. Alva Spafford passed away at the age of 94 at the Brandon General Hospital. His funeral was held in Killarney, Manitoba. (Source: Obituary, Brandon Sun, 23 Aug 1985)
Scope and Content
Postcard is a studio portrait of the Spafford brothers. Alvie is seated, Harry is standing.
Notes
Writing on the front of the postcard reads: out of the past, Harry & Alvie Spafford, 1909 Winnipeg. The back of the postcard reads: Harry on left, Alvie on right, in our early, days, Railway.
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.
Photograph shows the Mental Hospital parade float pulled by two clydesdale horses. The parade is in honour of the diamond anniversary of Canada's Confederation. The side of the float is decorated with Canada's coat of arms and the words "Sixty Years." In the centre of the float is a three-tiered birthday cake with a Union Jack affixed to its top. Four women are draped in toga-like gowns and each are holding provincial (small) coat of arms for New Brunswick, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and Ontario. Two men can be seen wearing top hats and coats.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Mental Hospital foat in 1927.
Photograph shows the Timothy Eaton Company's parade float pulled by two clydesdale horses. The parade is in honour of the diamond anniversary of Canada's Confederation. The side of the float reads: Canada's Power in the Affairs of the World. A large globe is strapped to the back of the float and the provincial coat of arms for Prince Edward Island, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, and the Dominion of Canada line the side. The Canadian Red Ensign is mounted at the front of the float.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: T. Eaton Co. float, 1927, 60th Anniversary of, Confederation.
Harry Spafford (b. 22 Oct 1888, d. 10 May 1978) was born in Holmfield, Manitoba. He married Isabella Hawking of Ninga in 1914 and the couple moved to Brandon in 1915 where they continued to reside until 1973. Harry worked as a locomotive fireman and then as an engineer with the Canadian Northern Railway (CN). While with CN, he was an active member of the Brotherhood of Local Engineers and Firemen No. 788 of Brandon. He served as an alderman in Brandon from 1928 to 1945. In 1932, Harry ran in the Manitoba by-election for Brandon as an Independent Labour candidate and lost to the Conservative member George Dinsdale. In 1952, Harry ran as a Co-Operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) member in the provincial election and lost to Conservative party representative Reg Lissaman. Harry Spafford passed away in Burnaby, BC, and is interred in the Ocean View Cemetery. (Source: see obituary in McG 4.1 File 66)
Alva/Alvery/"Alvie" Reddell/Riddell/Ridall Spafford (b. 15 Mar 1891, d. 23 Aug 1985) was born in Enterprise, Manitoba, in the R.M. of Turtle Mountain. In 1911, he married Francis [sic.] Ethel Harrison (d. 1979) in Killarney and had three children. Alvie farmed in Bannerman from 1902 to 1936, after which he moved to Boissevain to work as a Rawleigh salesman. In 1942, the family moved to Brandon where Alvie worked as a conductor with the CNR until his retirement. Alva Spafford passed away at the age of 94 at the Brandon General Hospital. His funeral was held in Killarney, Manitoba. (Source: Obituary, Brandon Sun, 23 Aug 1985)
Scope and Content
Postcard is a studio portrait of the Spafford brothers. Harry is seated on the left, Alva ("Alvie") is standing with his right arm around his brother.
Notes
Writing on the front of the postcard reads: Harry on left, Harry & Alva Spafford, our early Railroad days in Winnipeg 1909 or 1910.
Harry Spafford (b. 22 Oct 1888, d. 10 May 1978) was born in Holmfield, Manitoba. He married Isabella Hawking of Ninga in 1914 and the couple moved to Brandon in 1915 where they continued to reside until 1973. Harry worked as a locomotive fireman and then as an engineer with the Canadian Northern Railway (CN). While with CN, he was an active member of the Brotherhood of Local Engineers and Firemen No. 788 of Brandon. He served as an alderman in Brandon from 1928 to 1945. In 1932, Harry ran in the Manitoba by-election for Brandon as an Independent Labour candidate and lost to the Conservative member George Dinsdale. In 1952, Harry ran as a Co-Operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) member in the provincial election and lost to Conservative party representative Reg Lissaman. Harry Spafford passed away in Burnaby, BC, and is interred in the Ocean View Cemetery. (Source: see obituary in McG 4.1 File 66)
Alva/Alvery/"Alvie" Reddell/Riddell/Ridall Spafford (b. 15 Mar 1891, d. 23 Aug 1985) was born in Enterprise, Manitoba, in the R.M. of Turtle Mountain. In 1911, he married Francis Ethel Harrison (d. 1979) in Killarney and had three children. Alvie farmed in Bannerman from 1902 to 1936, after which he moved to Boissevain to work as a Rawleigh salesman. In 1942, the family moved to Brandon where Alvie worked as a conductor with the CNR until his retirement. Alva Spafford passed away at the age of 94 at the Brandon General Hospital. His funeral was held in Killarney, Manitoba. (Source: Obituary, Brandon Sun, 23 Aug 1985)
Scope and Content
Postcard is a studio portrait of the Spafford brothers dressed as cowboys in chaps, bandanas, and hats. Harry is standing on the left and is reaching for a bottle resting on a stool. Alvie is standing on the right and is pointing a pistol at his brother. Behind the brothers is the back of train car that reads "leaving Winnipeg."
Notes
Writing on the front of the postcard reads: Early railroad day in wpg, Harry on left, Alvie on right.
Postcard is stained and ripped in the right hand corner. A label is taped to the front of the postcard. The postcard has been issued.
History / Biographical
Harry Spafford (b. 22 Oct 1888, d. 10 May 1978) was born in Holmfield, Manitoba. He married Isabella Hawking of Ninga in 1914 and the couple moved to Brandon in 1915 where they continued to reside until 1973. Harry worked as a locomotive fireman and then as an engineer with the Canadian Northern Railway (CN). While with CN, he was an active member of the Brotherhood of Local Engineers and Firemen No. 788 of Brandon. He served as an alderman in Brandon from 1928 to 1945. In 1932, Harry ran in the Manitoba by-election for Brandon as an Independent Labour candidate and lost to the Conservative member George Dinsdale. In 1952, Harry ran as a Co-Operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) member in the provincial election and lost to Conservative party representative Reg Lissaman. Harry Spafford passed away in Burnaby, BC, and is interred in the Ocean View Cemetery. (Source: see obituary in McG 4.1 File 66)
Alva/Alvery/"Alvie" Reddell/Riddell/Ridall Spafford (b. 15 Mar 1891, d. 23 Aug 1985) was born in Enterprise, Manitoba, in the R.M. of Turtle Mountain. In 1911, he married Francis Ethel Harrison (d. 1979) in Killarney and had three children. Alvie farmed in Bannerman from 1902 to 1936, after which he moved to Boissevain to work as a Rawleigh salesman. In 1942, the family moved to Brandon where Alvie worked as a conductor with the CNR until his retirement. Alva Spafford passed away at the age of 94 at the Brandon General Hospital. His funeral was held in Killarney, Manitoba. (Source: Obituary, Brandon Sun, 23 Aug 1985)
Scope and Content
Postcard is a group photograph of some of the members of the Spafford family standing on the front steps of a residence. The four women and four men are dressed in heavy coats and jackets.
Notes
Writing on the front of the postcard reads: Harry Spafford on left, Alvie Spafford in centre, Alf Spafford on extreme right, about 1910; The back of the postcard is addressed to Mrs. Alva (Francis) Spafford of Bannerman, Manitoba. Alvie Spafford has written at brief note to his wife, Francis. The postmark reads November 23, 1912, Winnipeg, Manitoba. The names Aunt Ida, -- --, Uncle Harry, Alf, and Alva are written in pen at the top of the postcard.
According to the Manitoba Historical Society, the Volunteer Monument was unveiled at Winnipeg's Old City Hall on September 28, 1886. The monument commemorated the soldiers of 90th Winnipeg Rifles (also known as the "Little Black Devils") who were killed during the 1885 North West Rebellion. In 1968, the monument was moved to the east side of Main Street, between the Centennial Concert Hall and the Manitoba Museum.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows a parade marching south along Main Street in front of the Volunteer Monument on Winnipeg's Old City Hall grounds (1886-1962). The parade was in honour of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee that was held June 22, 1899. Businesses visible on the west (left) side of Main Street include: the Great Northern Railway Line, Gurney Stove & Range Co., Sherman House, The Arlington Hotel, Hurtley & Co., Central Drug Hall, Inman Optical Co. On the east side of Main Street, the Conferation Life Block is draped with bunting and a large ensign flag is flying from its tower. Specators line the streets and can be seen on roof tops and leaning from windows.
Notes
The front of the photograph reads: Jublee [sic.] Procession June 22/99 Winnipeg
Postcard is a studio portait of two women dressed for winter. The woman on the left is standing and is wearing a long winter coat, a while fur stole muffler. The woman on the right is seated in a wicker chair. She is wearing a three-quarter length winter coat with a black fur collar and trim and muffler.
Notes
Back of postcard reads: Harry Finnegan Nov. 16 1910, Zella Russel..., Nov. 27 19...
Mrs. Flora Cowan (1902-1986) was born on July 15, 1902 in Edinburgh, Scotland. She was the daughter of Adam and Helen Cruickshank and immigrated to Brandon with her parents in 1927. She married E.C. Cowan, and they had two children, Franklin and Ruth. From 1953 until Brandon College became Brandon University, she served as the Dean of Women. In 1966 she received the Good Citizenship Award of the Golden Boys of Manitoba. She was a member of the I.O.D.E. and a life-member of the International Peace Garden, and the Provincial Council of Women. From 1954 to 1970 Mrs. Cowan served as a member of the Brandon City Council and was the first woman to be appointed acting mayor. She was also the Chairman of the Board for Fairview Home, Inc. In 1967, Mrs. Cowan received the Trillium Business and Professional Club Woman of the Year Award. She was also a member of several other community committees. The women's residence at Brandon University, Flora Cowan, is named in her honour. In December 1980, Mrs. Cowan finally retired from her many positions. She died in Brandon on September 25, 1986 at the age of 84.
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.
Photograph shows the buildings of the superintendant and barns of the Brandon Experimental Farm (now Brandon Rearch Station)
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: Experimental Farm, Brandon. Man.
Triptych shows three separate photographs of Fred McGuinness as a young boy. One photograph shows Fred standing in the snow wearing miniature buckskins and feather headdress another shows Fred in the same costume on the family's front porch. The third picture shows Fred in a quarter-length peacoat and winter cap with flaps standing on the front porch of the family home.
Photograph shows Fred McGuinness sitting at a table in the John E. Robbins Library. Spread before him are a variety of weeklies containing his Neighborly News column.
Photograph shows Fred McGuinness standing with Newfoundland Premier Joey Smallwood (centre) and the Centennial Commissioner John Fisher (right). The men are standing before an architectural model.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: On tour of Newfoundland as member, board of directors Canadian Centennial Commission, McG, Premier Smallwood, & John Fisher, Centennial Commissioner, 1965