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.
Mansfield's Western Shop was located on the corner of 6th Street and Princess Avenue at 603 Princess Avenue. The business appears to have been opened in 1966 by Ed and Jessie Mansfield. The shop was originally owened by Norman D. Moore and was called Moore's Western Shop. According to the Henderson's Brandon City Directory Mansfield's was relocated several times during its ownership. In 1967 Mansfields was reloacted to 737 11th Street, by 1973 had relocated again to 731 Princess Avenue and remained there until at least 1984. Mansfield's Western Shop had moved to it's final location at 1130 18th Street by 1988. Once Ed and Jessie retired the shop was taken over by their sons Les and Lyle Mansfield. Les and Lyle closed the store when they retired in 2015. Presently (2020) the H&Co Acadamy building stands where the original Mansfields Western Shop stood on 6th Street.
Custodial History
See Fonds level description for custodial history
Scope and Content
Image of the interior of Mansfield's Western Shop. The image is of a man standing behind the counter in dressed in a western style. The man could possibly be Ed Mansfield. There are various items displayed around the counter including: saddles, tack, figurines, clothing and hand bags. Above him is a sign that reads "Mansfield's Western Shop 603 Princess Ave. Brandon".
Notes
Hisotry/Bio information taken from Henderson's Directories. Description by Jillian Combs.
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