Erected in 1889, on the southeast corner of Rosser Avenue and 7th Street at 806 Rosser Avenue, this block was designed by Brandon architect W.H. Shillinglaw. At the time of its construction the structure housed the Nation & Shewan Department Store, one of Brandon’s largest and most successful drygoods businesses, owned and operated by Fred Nation and Alexander Shewan.
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 to be 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 Metroplitan Stores Ltd began operating out of the Nation & Shewan Block.
In 2000, the Town Centre prepared to knock down the Red Apple Building, formerly the 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.
[History/Bio written by Christy Henry (SJ McKee Archives) and Eileen Trott (Daly House Museum), researched by Morganna Maylon, for 2015 photographic exhibition "Gowen's Brandon: Then and Now".]
Custodial History
Photograph was given to Fred McGuinness by Linda Bilkoski (nee Lepard) of Lac du Bonnet, MB.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows a display of women's clothing and accessories in the window at Nation & Shewan. A sign reads: 1914 Spring Opening commences on Wednesday March 25th.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Mrs. E. Harden, 33-10th St., City. According to the Henderson's Brandon City Directories, Catharine "Kate" Harden (nee Chalmers) worked as a cashier at Nation & Shewan from 1913 to 1914.
See fonds level of the CKX records for custodial history.
Scope and Content
Image consists of a car tire on what appears to be a television studio set. The tire has a sign on it which reads: "Buy General Tires - the general tire".
See fonds level of the CKX records for custodial history.
Scope and Content
Image consists of a table displaying a box of B.C. apples and a metal lunch box, with a broadcaster leaning on the table. In front of the broadcaster is a CKX-TV television camera, and behind him is a weather map.
See fonds level of the CKX records for custodial history.
Scope and Content
Image consists of a table displaying a box of B.C. apricots and some jars of canned apricots, with a broadcaster standing beside the table. Behind the broadcaster is a weather map. A CKX-TV television camera man appears to be filming a commercial.
See fonds level of the CKX records for custodial history.
Scope and Content
Image consists of a table displaying a bowl of B.C. apricots, a canning kettle and some jars of canned apricots, with broadcaster Harold Robbins standing beside the table holding a jar of canned apricots. Behind the Robbins is a weather map.
