According to G.F. Barker (Brandon: A City, 1977, 291), William (Billy) Muir worked at Coombs & Stewart's on Pacific Avenue until he opened his own grocery store in 1888. The shop was located at 143-6th Street, Brandon, and was demolished for a parking lot in 1952.
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by Allena Strath (nee Coombs).
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the "Wm. Muir General Grocer" building on 6th Street. Two men pose in the doorway of the store. The man on the left is likely William Muir. Barrels are lined on the boardwalk in front of the store. Apples and mason jars can be seen in the shop's windows.
Notes
Front of photograph reads: Sixth Street between Rosser - Princess. Back of photograph reads: Billy Muir's Store, 143 6th Street Brandon - 57 years in business in this location. An address label affixed to the back of the mat reads: Mrs. James Strath, Box 421, Souris, Man.
Gordon Irwin (1878 - 1968) was a long-time barber in Brandon, Manitoba. Irwin was born in Allenbank, Ontario. He married Elizabeth Jane Rollings (b. 04 Dec 1880, Napanee, ON; d. 24 Jul 1976, Brandon, MB) in Malton, Ontario, on January 11, 1905, and the couple moved to Brandon shortly thereafter. According to Henderson's Brandon City Directories, Gordon Irwin worked as a barber, for more than 49 years, in various establishments throughout the city. Notable shops include: the Imperial Hotel (1906), the CPR Barbers (1913-1923), Heise's (1929-1935), Kidds (1930-1941), and Robert Fowles (1949-1955). The Irwins celebrated their diamond anniversary in 1965, which was photographed and profiled in the Brandon Sun (14 Jan 1965, 8). According to his Brandon Sun obituary (19 April 1968, 12), Gordon Irwin passed away in Brandon on April 17, 1968, and was interned in the Rosewood Cemetery.
The decorative ceiling and border are consistent with another photograph of a tobacconist's shop in the McGuinness collection (see 20-2009.1). According to Henderson's 1909 Brandon City Directory, Gordon Irwin - a barber - and tobacconist J.S. Rosby shared at storefront at 919 Rosser Avenue. This address is situated on the north side of Rosser Avenue, adjacent to a laneway. It is possible that the back of the shop overlooks the Grand Union Hotel on the corner of Pacific Avenue and 10th Street.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the interior of a barber shop. Three barbers are posing by their chairs and two customers are receiving a shave. The barber in the centre has been identified as Gordon Irwin. A display for Rudolf's Patent Pipes is in the foreground. An ornate tin ceiling and elaborate border are visible in the photograph. Framed pictures hang above the mirror, including an advertisement for undertakers Vincent & Macpherson (1901-1906).
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Dave Dick says centre barber is Gordon IRWIN, location may have been about 813 Rosser. May have been Kidd's Barber Shop. Harold Tackaberry confirms IRWIN. McGUINNESS.
Opened 1903. Closed 1923. Building became the Oak Theatre ca. 1930. Reopened as Towne Cinema ca. 1980 after being closed for many years. The building has since been demolished.
Scope and Content
Postcard shows the interior of the lunch counter and cashier register at Cafe Aagaard located at 29-8th Street Brandon.
Notes
Writing on the front of the postcard reads: Lunch Counter Cafe Aagaard, 29 Eigth St., Brandon, Man. The back of the postcard reads: Cafe Aagaard, Largest, Oldest and Best in Brandon. The postcard is addressed to Mrs. K.L. McGregor, 157-4th St.
Founded in 1977, Super Thrifty is considered Manitoba's largest independent retail drug store organization. At the time of its founding, Super Thrifty had five drug stores in operation, three in Brandon, one in Hamiota, and one in Rivers.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows Greg Skura standing in front of the Super Thrifty Centre at 381 Park Avenue East.
John Dickson (b. 17 Mar 1854, Scotland; d.15 April 1926, Brandon) was considered one of Brandon’s pioneer dentists. Dickson immigrated to Canada in 1857, where he lived in Hamilton, Ontario, for a number of years. Dickson then came to Manitoba and operated a grocery in Chater before he studied dentistry, graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1886. Dickson settled in Brandon where he married Anna Louise Harrison on 28 December 1891.
The couple had four children: Mrs. Irving Cross [Mary Louise, b.20 Dec 1892, Brandon; d. 22 Oct 1981, Saratoga, NY]; Dr. John Harrison Dickson [b. 26 Aug 1894, Brandon; d. 17 June 1956, Killarney]; Dr. Stanley Rodgers Dickson [b. 18 Feb 1896, Brandon; d. 25 July 1963, Brandon]; and Mrs. Emile Baldeschweiler [Isobel Marion Coates, b. 13 Nov 1900, Brandon; d.?] of New York.
Sources: “Pioneer Dentist of Brandon in Dr. John Dickson,” Brandon Daily Sun 16 Apr 1926 and Manitoba Vital Statistics database.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the interior of a dentist's office with dentist's chair and sink, as well as shelves and a table lined with medicines. This office is possibly that of Dr. John Dickson who had his practice at 804 Rosser Avenue.
Notes
Writing on the front of the photograph matting reads: December 1906.
Negative shows a woman seated in a dentist's chair as the dentist examines her mouth and a young boy (her son) looks on.
Notes
Negative was stored in a Medicine Hat News envelope with the following typed on the front: Lind Love in the dentist's chair in Lahr as son, Michael, looks on..."Don't cry, Mom"
Negative shows a residential living room with a woman (Hazel Spellmeier) seated in a chair holding a Siamese cat. Standing on her left is her daughter (Bobbie). A man (Sgt. Wilf Spellmeier) is seated on the arm of a couch while he attempts to photograph the women. The interior of the residence is consistent with 1960s furnishings.
Notes
Negative was stored in a Medicine Hat News envelope with the following typed on the front: Sgt. Wilf Spellmeier, wife Hazel and daughter, Bobbie.
Photograph shows the interior of Fred McGuinness' office at the Medicine Hat News. Fred is seen scribbling on a notepad at his desk. The newspaper was located at Second Street and Sixth Avenue in downtown Medicine Hat until it moved in 1981.
Mrs. Hilda Rosa Osmond (nee Bridgeman) was born in Hampshire, England in 1888 to parents Edwin Samuel Bridgeman (b.16 Jul 1852; d. 19 June 1922, Brandon) and Rosa Holkham (b. 26 Mar 1859; d. 27 May 1927, Brandon). Edwin was a sailor and Rosa was a dressmaker.
Following the death of her brother Edwin Frederick Bridgeman (1886-1890), the family immigrated to Canada in 1891. The Bridgeman's took the train to Griswold, Manitoba, and settled near Edwin's brother, Albert Bridgeman, and together they farmed the N 1/2 of 36-12-23. The Bridgeman's had three more children, Ellen Grace (b. 27 Jan 1893; d. 22 Feb 1893), Harry Volantine/Valentine (b. 14 Feb 1894), and Charlie Cuthbert (b. 03 Aug 1896; d. 25 Aug 1901). Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Bridgeman retired in 1913 and moved to Brandon where they lived until their respective deaths. The couple are interred in the Brandon Municipal Cemetery.
Hilda married William Arthur Osmond (b. 1867; d. 26 Oct 1943) of Baisingstoke, England, on 31 Jan 1913. They had a daughter Nellie who later married Glen Mossey. The family continued to farm the property on section 36.
Hilda Rosa Osmond passed away in 1980 at the age of 91. She is interred in the Greenwood Cemetery near Harding, Manitoba, where her husband and siblings also rest.
(Sources: England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013 [online]; Findagrave.com; Harding History Committee, Home to Harding 1879-1981 (Brandon: Leech Printing, 1981; Manitoba Vital Statistics Database)
Custodial History
Photograph given to Fred McGuinness by Burton Strange of Kenton, 25 Nov 1974
Scope and Content
Photograph shows Mrs. Osmond sitting at a kitchen table with a cup of coffee before her.
Notes
Label accompanying photograph reads: Mrs. Osmond, a resume of the good days over a cup of coffee
Photograph was sent to Fred McGuinness from Shirley
Scope and Content
Photograph shows Fred McGuinness seated in a recording room with a female colleague. Microphones and recording equipment can be seen on a desk behind the pair.
Photograph shows a banquet room in the Prince Edward Hotel. Rectangular tables are organized in an U-shape layout. The tables are covered in white linen table cloths and have place settings.
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 (Brandon Sun 14 September 1978).
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the interior of the Hanbury Manufacturing Co. Mill. Men identified in the photograph include: Mr. Tom McKenzie (right), Elden Darrow, and Jack Silliker.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Mrs. R. Miles. Provenience and identifications obtained from Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Photograph is stained and water damaged. A newspaper clipping about William (Billy) Muir is glued to the top left hand corner of the mat. The image is exfoliated in the right hand corner. The negative has been reverse printed.
History / Biographical
Coombs & Stewart opened the first general store in Brandon in 1881, which was located on 6th Street and Pacific Avenue. According to G.F. Barker (Brandon: A City, 1977, 291), William (Billy) Muir worked at the store until he opened his own grocery store in 1888.
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by Allena Strath (nee Coombs).
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the Coombs & Stewart general store located on the corner of Pacific Avenue and 6th Street. A group of men pose in front of the wood-framed store.
Notes
Back of photograph reads: One of first stores in Brandon, Coombs...[?]
Photograph shows the midway at the 1913 Dominion Fair. Attractions include California Orange Juice stand and Patterson's Animal Trainer Show. The Dominion Exhibition Display Building II can be seen in the background.
Notes
Photograph appears to be a part of a sequence of photographs, see 20-2009.30 to 20-2009.40
The West End Millinery & Dry Goods shop appears in the 1914 Henderson's Brandon City Directory. The store was located in the Avenue Block at 1124 Rosser Avenue. Mrs. A. Barker was listed as the proprietor and milliner. By 1917, Mr. A.F. [Arthur Fred] Barker became the proprietor and Mrs. Barker remained the milliner. By 1919, the shop moved to 130-10th Street, across from the Strand Threatre, where it remained until c.1933.
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by G. Baldock in 1971
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the store interior of West End Millinery & Dry Goods located on 130-10th Street. Coats are hanging from a rack, clothing is displayed on dress forms as well as on wooden tables that are lined up in the centre of the shop. The store's tin ceiling, light fixtures, and hardwood floors are visible.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Part of West End Millinery & Dry Goods 10th St across from Strand Theatre, 1922
The West End Millinery & Dry Goods shop appears in the 1914 Henderson's Brandon City Directory. The store was located in the Avenue Block at 1124 Rosser Avenue. Mrs. A. Barker was listed as the proprietor and milliner. By 1917, Mr. A.F. [Arthur Fred] Barker became the proprietor and Mrs. Barker remained the milliner. By 1919, the shop moved to 130-10th Street, across from the Strand Threatre, where it remained until c.1933.
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by G. Baldock in 1971
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the store interior of West End Millinery & Dry Goods located on 130-10th Street. A shelving unit lines the wall and is filled with boxes, bolts of cloth, and yarns. Displays can be seen on the top of the shelves as well as on wooden tables that are lined up in the centre of the shop. The store's tin ceiling, light fixtures, panelling, radiators, and hardwood floors are visible.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: 1/2 of West End Millinery & Dry Goods, 10th St across from Strand Theatre, 1922