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.
Item consists of twenty five contact prints. Images include photographs of campus taken from the roof of McMaster Hall as well as photographs of residence rooms, bathrooms and common rooms in McMaster Hall.
Photograph is looking west and shows the north half of McMaster Hall, as well as the walkway between McMaster and the H-Huts. Portions of the Main Dining Room and Darrach Hall are visible in the background.
Donkersloot began working at Brandon University in 1971 as the Clerk of Works. From 1973 until his retirement, he was the Director of Physical Plant.
Custodial History
Photographs were taken by Tom Donkersloot during construction and stored in albums in the Physical Plant H-Hut until they were transfered to the McKee Archives by Doug Duncalf in May 2008.
Scope and Content
Nineteen photographs of the construction of McMaster Hall.
Notes
Donkersloot recorded the date and time each photograph was taken on the back of the photos.
Item consists of nine contact prints. Images were taken at the opening of McMaster Hall, the towers residence. 1. Lyle Dick (at microphone) 2. ? 3. Mayor William (Bill) Wilton (at microphone) 4. Walter Dinsdale (at microphone) 5. Walter Dinsdale 6. Lloyd Dulmage (at microphone) 7. Prof R. Murray Simmons (at microphone) 8. Prof. Murray Simmons.
Item is three contact prints taken at the opening of McMaster Hall.
Print 1 (L toR): ?, Murray(?) Simmons, Lloyd Dulmage (Microphone); ?, Walter Dinsdale (M.P.), Bill Wilton (Mayor), Scott Bateman (Chairman of University Grants Commission), ?, ?
Print 2 (L to R): Lyle Dick (?), holding ribbon (?), Lloyd Dulmage, Murray(?) Simmons, (?) holding ribbon, Walter Dinsdale, Bill Wilton, Scott Bateman
Print 3 (L to R): Lyle Dick (?), ?, Lloyd Dulmage, Murray(?) Simmons, ?, Walter Dinsdale, Bil Wilton, Scott Bateman
