Postcard shows the grandstand and race track located at the Exhibition Grounds (now the site of the Keystone Centre/Westman Communications Place) in the south end of Brandon, Manitoba. The bleachers are filled with people and spectators also line the fence alongside the track. Five harness racers are making their way along the track. An observation tower and possible gazebo for dignitaries is located inside the track.
Notes
The back of the postcard is address to Mrs. Sharpe of Banff, Alberta. A green King George One Cent stamp has been postmarked Sault Ste. Maire, Ont., July 6, 1910. The message reads: Lake Superior, My dear. How are you? Glad you are charmed with B. don't get too fat. Tell Mrs. Coates my state room companion is Miss Rutherford of B. Coll: she got on at Port Arthur. Having a lovely trip. It was hard parting at B. .......Address 14 Deer Park, Toronto. Postcard manufactured by Stedman Bros. Ltd., Brantford, Canada. S.B. 2376. Made in Germany.
This negative provides an excellent view of Rosser Avenue (looking east from 10th Street) in the early 20th century, and shows one of the first runs for Brandon's streetcar system.
This image was used as the cover image for Lee Clark's Brandon's Politics & Politicians.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Due to the increasing volume of long-distance auto traffic in the 1920's, the city designated the block between Hill & Queen's Avenues and 9th & 10th streets as a "Tourist Camp" with a few basic facilities. After the demise of the Brandon Municipal Railway, several of the old car bodies were placed in the Tourist Camp to be used as cooking & eating shelters. Some may have had sleeping accommodations. Later (ca. 1938?) several were placed in a row along the south side of Victoria Avenue, approximately 28th or 29th St, and were used as the city's first drive-in hamburger place, "The Train Drive-in". This, I believe, only lasted one or two summer seasons. LAS.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Crystal Palace built 1904 ((Nor'West Farmer 20/08/1904); "Finishing touches" applied 1913 (Barker, p. 154); Demolished, but material saved, in 1939
[Display Building II, the last surviving building of those constructed for the Dominion Fair held in Brandon in 1913, has been named one of the 10 most endangered historic buildings in the country by the Heritage Canada Foundation. P.E. 09/07/09.]
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Dominion Exhibition Display Building II and Crystal Palace at Brandon fairgrounds