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 has been glued to a backing board that has warped over time
History / Biographical
On 16 November 1906, Manitoba was hit by a severe winter storm that began that Thursday evening and extended through the weekend. The Brandon Daily Sun ("Storm Extends Over a Large Territory," 17 Nov. 1906, 1) reported that rail and telegraph services had been disrupted, country roads were impassable, and business in town was at a stand still. Following the weekend, the daily reported the blizzard was one of the greatest in recent memory. CPR trains had been caught in drifts by Carberry and an express car had caught fire and was destroyed ("Worst Storm in Many Years," Brandon Daily Sun, 19 Nov. 1906, 1).
Scope and Content
Photograph shows street view of intersection of the 000 block of 8th Street and Rosser Avenue in the winter. Businesses on the east side of 8th Street from Pacific to Rosser Avenues are clearly visible and include: a Lunch Room (likely Aagaard's Lunch Counter), the Hotel Imperial Annex, Liverpool House (a boarding house), R.S. Thompson and Company Real Estate Office (Land Office), a barber shop (likely J. Coulter's), Frank Gowen photography studio. Fleming's Drug Store on the corner of 8th Street and Rosser Avenue has been replaced by the Bank of Hamilton. The Imperial Hotel is visible on the west side of 8th Street. The 8th Street Bridge is visible in the background. Men in winter coats and hats are crossing the street at the intersection. A horse-drawn sleigh is parked on 8th Street.
Notes
Writing on the front of the photograph matting reads: 340, after the storm November 1906. Page appears to be from a photo album. The photograph appears to be taken from the interior of a builing on the southwest corner of 8th Street and Rosser Avenue.
Photograph given to Fred McGuinness by Helen Turner
Scope and Content
Photograph shows a man - George Porterfield - dressed in a three-piece and hat sitting at the reins of a horse drawn buggy. The buggy appears to be parked on Lorne Avenue beside the bandstand at Stanely Park.
Notes
Note attached to the back of the photograph reads: This George Porterfield, who lived on a farm 4.9.19. Delivered eggs, cream & milk in Brandon by this method in the early 1920. Maybe he was out courting Mary, he looks pretty dressed up.
The International Peace Garden is situated on the international border between Manitoba and North Dakota, adjacent to the Canadian Border Services Boissevain port of entry and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency's Dunseith port of entry. The dedication for the International Peace Garden was held on July 14, 1932. It was estimated that 50,000 people were in attendance on opening day. The park is 9.5-square kilometers or 3.54-square miles.
Custodial History
Pictures were sent to Fred McGuinness in 1970 from E.M. Bergson of Brandon.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the crowded parking lot at the International Peace Garden's 1932 dedication ceremony. People mill amongst the automobiles and tents can be seen in the background.
Notes
The back of the photograph is stamped: Enameloid Velox Print by the Jul 27 1932, Chicago Postal Photo Supplies, Regina, Sask.
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 exfoliated on edges where masking tape has been removed.
History / Biographical
In 1912, the Brandon Daily Sun (30 September 1912) published an article about the 7th Annual Meeting of the Manitoba Association of Architects that was held at the Prince Edward Hotel on September 28. It was the first time that the association held an annual meeting outside of Winnipeg. Local architect W.A. Elliott was elected first vice president of the assocation. As part of the meeting's entertainment, the Brandon Automobile Club provided excursions around the city, making special stops at the fair grounds, industrial school, new asylum buildings, and the experimental farm.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows a group of gentlemen wearing overcoats and hats posing with a motor car parked in front of the Prince Edward Hotel. A Brandon pennant is attached to the windshield of the vehicle. The large man standing second from the right wearing a light top hat and coat is architect W.A. Elliott.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Return to Brandon Sun, F.V. Haney and T.W. Willey, September 14, 1912.
The Motor Mart Building in Sioux City, Iowa, is listed on the United States National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places. The State Historical Society of Iowa submitted the application in 1993. The building is an architectural example of the Commercial Style of the late 19th and early 20th Century American Movement designed by E.J. Henriques and C.F. Lytle Co. The building has a concrete foundation, brick walls, and a concrete roof. The Turner Mushroom System, a patented structural system involving a poured reinforced concrete framed, was used in the construction of the building. (Source: National Register of Historic Places Registration Form [online], focus.nps.gov/pdfhost/docs/NRHP/Text/93000330.pdf)
Scope and Content
Photograph shows a four-storey brick building, with a large showroom on the main floor. Inside, automobiles can be seen on display. Banners in the store windows read White Moon. The photograph was taken at night and exterior lights decorate the building.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Motor Mart, Sioux City, Ia., Lytle [?] Co. Archts., Mushroom Sys. truout.
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.
Contract for concrete approach from north end to replace east and west timber approaches along Assiniboine Ave. awarded to A.E. Jones and E. Fulcher for $30,590. Oct. 11, 1934. (Brandon Sun). As part of this project a Z-shaped ramp on the west side to Assiniboine Ave for pedestrians replaced wooden stairs to north end.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
View of East side of original Eighth St. bridge from Pacific Avenue; Shows pedestrian stairway to North end and CPR early 2800 [locomotive] being serviced on Train No.4
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
CPR No. 3, the westbound "Dominion", with engine 2829 under 1st Street Bridge
Notes
View includes former Empire Brewery, [then] in use by Bell Bottling Co.; Safe crossing over the CPR eliminated the need for a flagman. "Telltails" warn switchmen riding on top of railcars of low overhead clearance. Old Empire Brewery was (late 1950's) a feed mill, making grain feeds for livestock.
Photographs have been glued to a backing board that has warped over time
Scope and Content
Photograph shows parade floats travelling on 100 block of 8th Street (Brandon). Horse-drawn floats appear to belong to the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, Murdock/Murdoch Brothers (furniture dealers), and F.W. Durst (cement contractor). Businesses visible in the background include the Sylvester Brothers Manufacturing Company and McDiarmid and Clarke lumber and fuel yard. Spectators in the foreground are leaning on a wooden fence likely belonging to the Old City Hall.
Notes
Writing on the front of the photograph matting reads: 315 July 1906. Two photographs (20-2009.7, 20-2009.6) are glued on the reverse side. Page appears to be from a photo album.
Image submitted to Fred McGuinness by T. Horobin of Brandon
Scope and Content
Photograph shows a man, perhaps an engineer standing next to a Brandon Municipal Railway car covered in snow. A Brandon Municipal Railway token/tag is affixed to the image.