Photograph shows the northwest corner of 10th Street and Princess Avenue. Traffic on the west side of Princess Avenue appears to travelling both ways. A car waits at the intersection.
Above the west entrance on the corner building is an electric sign that spells "Hughes Bldg." A second storey has yet to be added to the portion of the Doig's shop that is adjacent to the Alexandra Block.
Fitwell Tailors, a barber shop, and the Federal Building are visible on Princess Avenue.
Notes
A negative is contained in the same enclosure with the print.
Photograph of 10th Street facing north from Princess Avenue. Vehicles are parallel parked on both sides of the street. The Welcome Brandon sign can be seen at the Rosser Avenue intersection.
Visible businesses on the west side of 10th Street include: Doig's, Box Brothers Hardware and Allied Hardware Stores in the Alexandra Block; followed by Simpsons-Sears in the Strathcona Block. Barry Neill Men's Wear, Kresge's and the Cecil Hotel are also visible. The Johnny Smith Block is visible in the background.
Visible businesses on the east side of 10th Street include: Ollies Steaks and Chops, Elna Sewing Centre, Carlton Cafe, Chop Suey. At the base of the hill the Canadian Pacific train station is visible at the base of the hill.
Notes
Writing on the front of the postcard reads: Tenth St. Brandon, Man.
Photograph of the northeast corner of 10th Street and Princess Avenue facing northeast. An Imperial Esso Dealer is situated on the southeast corner. On the northeast side the following businesses are visible: Thunderbird Bowl, Canadian Pacific Telegraphs, Pittsburgh Paint & Glass, The Strand Theatre, Trans Canada Credit Loans, Ted Heming Jewellers, Carlton Cafe, Barclay Shoe Store, Chamber of Commerce, United Cafe, and Chop Suey. An billboard for 2 Way drink is mounted on the former Campbell's Furniture Building. A sign for the Manitoba CAA Motor League hangs from a business on the southwest corner of 10th Street and Princess Avenue. Traffic on Princess Avenue, on the east side of 10th Street, is travelling one-way.
Photograph of the northeast corner of 10th Street and Princess Avenue facing northeast. An Imperial Esso Dealer is situated on the southeast corner. On the northeast side the following businesses are visible: Thunderbird Bowl, Canadian Pacific Telegraphs, Pittsburgh Paint & Glass, The Strand Theatre, Trans Canada Credit Loans, Ted Heming Jewellers, Carlton Cafe, Barclay Shoe Store, Chamber of Commerce, United Cafe, and Chop Suey. An billboard for 2 Way drink is mounted on the former Campbell's Furniture Building. A sign for the Manitoba CAA Motor League hangs from a business on the southwest corner of 10th Street and Princess Avenue. Traffic on Princess Avenue, on the east side of 10th Street, is travelling one-way.
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.
