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.
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Katherine Stinson & aircraft with Indigenous peoples
Notes
Photo taken in Brandon, Manitoba
Miss Stinson was half Indigenous
See Lawrence Stuckey file (Finding Aids) for biography of Katherine Stinson.
[Please note that in the title we have chosen to maintain the original terminology used by Mr. Stuckey in order to maintain the original context and order of the record. P.E. 08/07/09.]
Photograph shows Fred McGuinness and his three sons on a hunting trip. Pheasants are draped along the side of a station wagon that has an advertisement on its roof that reads: Barney's Hideaway Restaurant Dining Lounge, Strathcona Hotel, Victoria, BC, Canada, Featuring Smorgasbord 'Pot Luck Buffet.'
Notes
A negative exists for this photo and is stored with the picture.
Postcard is an advertisement for the Brandon Winter Fair. Image is of two dogs, with a caption below them.
Notes
Writing on the front of the postcard reads: "If you expect to be among those present, Florine, you'll have to have yours bobbed"/ Fools may rush in where Angles fear to tread./ The Winter Fair, Brandon, March 13 - March 17, 1933 / is good for either, yet is really better for the pople who are / neither, but, like ourselves, are somewhere between the two.
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 a horse drawn wagon advertising Cowan's Cocoa. The Gilmore Advertising Company of Toronto appears to be responsible for the ad and the wagon is numbered "No.4". Three men appear in the photograph: one behind the reigns, one in the rear seat of the wagon, and other standing at the rear axel.
Notes
Writing on the front of the photograph matting reads: Pringle & Booth, 181 George Street, Toronto. Writing on the back of the photograph matting reads: Mrs. R. Miles, R.J. Brdgdon?, Right Side 2.50 a day.
Date obtained from http://photographersofontario.ca
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Cater Pumps - Advertisement
Notes
From The Nor'West Farmer, August 20, 1900
"By designing and manufacturing a pump that was simple, cheap and dependable, Harry Cater made a fortune." - Fred McGuinness collection (20-2009).
