William "Billy" Muir came to Brandon in 1881 where he worked at the Coombs & Stewart general store. He became the proprietor of Brandon's first grocery store located on 138-6th Street. The building was demolished in 1952 (see Brandon Daily Sun 04 September 1952). According to correspondence in the McGuinness collection (see McG 1.2 File 22), Dr. Matheson brought the first car to Brandon, which he later sold to Muir. A note in McGuinness' papers (see McG 1.2 File 53) identifies the first motor car as a Hupmobile, which was purported to have arrived in Brandon in 1905. The Hupp Motor Car Company, however, is reported to have manufactured Hupmobiles between 1909 and 1940. Mrs. (Jessie) R.M. Coombs was Allena Strath's (nee Coombs) mother.
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by Allena Strath (nee Coombs).
Scope and Content
Postcard shows a woman, identified as Mrs. (Jessie) Robert M. Coombs, seated behind the wheel of a motor car.
Notes
Back of postcard reads: Mother Mrs. R. [Robert] M. Coombs in Billy Muir's car, Brandon around 1908
Photograph shows the entrance of the Prince Edward Hotel decorated to welcome the Kiwanis Club. The main entrance is surrounded by wheat sheaves. The City of Brandon's coat of arms, Kiwanis International logos, and a sign reading Welcome Kiwanis hang above the door. A Dominion of Canada red ensign and Union Jack flag are mounted on either side of the doors.
Photograph shows a southwest view of the Prince Edward Hotel and train station.
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: Prince Edward Hotel, Brandon, Man.
Photograph shows a view from the rooftop of the Prince Edward Hotel. The south side of the Brandon Hotel (most recently the Brandon Inn) and a service station along Prince Avenue can be seen.
Notes
Writing on the back of photograph reads: across the street from roof of P.E. Hotel 1927
Photograph shows the Prince Edward Hotel and Canadian National Railways Station along Princess Avenue facing southwest.
Notes
Writing on the back of the postcard reads: Novelty Manufacturing & Art Co. Ltd., Montreal. A cancelled George VI brown Canada 2 cent stamp has been postmarked: Regina, Sask, Terminal A., Jul 22 12:30 PM 1940, Save Time, Use Air Mail.
According to the Brandon Daily Sun (07 May 1913), the first three street cars (Nos. 10, 9, and 7) arrived in Brandon on the evening of May 6, 1913. The cars were shipped via Canadian National Rail to Brandon from Winnipeg and stored at the railway siding on McTavish Avenue between 8th and 9th Streets. The daily paper (15 May 1915) reported that a test run for the street cars was scheduled for May 16, 1913. The City Clerk published a public notice in the paper (29 May 1913) announcing the formal opening of the "Brandon Municipal Street Raily" for on Monday, June 2, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at city hall where the cars would be displayed.
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by Allena Strath (nee Coombs).
Scope and Content
Postcard depicts three municipal street cars parked on the 10th Street tracks in front of the Winter Fair Building. In front of the cars are a group of men wearing suits, hats, and top coats. Two automobiles are parked alongside the street cars. According to Archivist Emeritus Tom Mitchell, the group of men are members of the Brandon Municipal Street Railway Committee. The chairman of the committee, Harry Cater, can be seen in the center-left of the group wearing a watch fob. The committee had assembled for a test run of the street car service, which the Brandon Daily Sun reported to have occured on Sunday, May 16, 1913.
Notes
Back of postcard reads: First Street Car in Brandon in front of Winter Fair building 1910.
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 given to Fred McGuinness by Helen Turner
Scope and Content
Photograph shows a man - George Porterfield - and woman - Mary Porterfield - posing with a vehicle on a farm property.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Taken in the Summer at one of the neighbour homes George & myself. Note attached to the back of the photograph reads: George & Mary got married on June 6th 1923 and lived on the farm. This is their first car.