Erected in 1889, at 806 Rosser Avenue (the southeast corner of Rosser Avenue and 7th Street), the building was designed by Brandon architect W.H. Shillinglaw. At the time of its construction the structure housed the Nation Department Store, which became Nation & Shewan Department Store in 1894. One of Brandon’s largest and most successful drygoods businesses, the venture was owned and operated by Fred Nation and Alexander Shewan.
Built adjacent to an existing three storey brick building known as the A.D. Rankin Block (built sometime between 1885 and 1888), this smaller building was eventually absorbed by the Nation and Shewan Block after 1897, when Rankin Drygoods moved into the newly constructed Syndicate Block located farther east down Rosser Ave. Later, the Rankin Block became known as Nation Chambers. These two structures comprised what was known as the Nation and Shewan Block.
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 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 Metropolitan Stores Ltd began operating out of the Nation & Shewan Block.
In 2000, the Town Centre prepared to knock down what was then known as the Red Apple Building, the former 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.
Custodial History
See fonds level description of the Alf Fowler collection for custodial history.
Scope and Content
Photo shows the front of the Nation & Shewan Block, which was located in the 800 block of Rosser Avenue on the southside.
Storage Range
RG 5 Western Manitoba Manuscript collection - photograph storage drawer
The Curtis Block was built in 1900, possibly by Fred Stevens.
Custodial History
See collection level description for the James Douglas Wall collection.
Scope and Content
Image of the Curtis Block in Baldur, MB. The Victoria Hall, for public performances, was located on the upper floor. A group of men, one holding a hockey stick, and a dog are standing in front of the street entrance to the building.
The Fowler Block in Baldur, MB was built in 1899 by Alex Fowler.
Custodial History
See collection level description for the James Douglas Wall collection.
Scope and Content
Image of the Fowler Block in Baldur, MB. On the left is a shoe and harness shop owned and operated by the Fowlers from 1899-1978. On the right is J. Smith & Co. Merchants, a grocery and dry goods store. As of 2000, a grocery store still occupied the premises. Men are standing in front of the entrance to the two stores.
Operated as Pool A, this wooden grain elevator was built by Manitoba Pool Elevators between 1983 and 1984. It was closed by 2007 and demolished by 2008.
Custodial History
Slide was in the possession of John Everitt before its donation to the SJ McKee Archives in 2007.
Scope and Content
Item is an image of the new Manitoba Pool Elevator at Brandon, MB, under construction. The elevator was located at highways #1 and #10.
The SJ McKee Archives is the copyright holder for the John Everitt collection and as such is providing access to the John Everitt slide collection for educational and research purposes only. To publish, copy or otherwise use these images, written permission must be obtained from the SJ McKee Archives. Any issues arising from the use of an item is the responsibility of the persons desiring to use the item, as is the securing of any necessary permissions for use.
Operated as Pool A, this wooden grain elevator was built by Manitoba Pool Elevators between 1983 and 1984. It was closed by 2007 and demolished by 2008.
Custodial History
Slide was in the possession of John Everitt before its donation to the SJ McKee Archives in 2007.
Scope and Content
Item is an image of the new Manitoba Pool Elevator at Brandon, MB as seen from #1 highway.
The SJ McKee Archives is the copyright holder for the John Everitt collection and as such is providing access to the John Everitt slide collection for educational and research purposes only. To publish, copy or otherwise use these images, written permission must be obtained from the SJ McKee Archives. Any issues arising from the use of an item is the responsibility of the persons desiring to use the item, as is the securing of any necessary permissions for use.
Portrait of the Brandon University Lady Bobcats field hockey team. Front Row (L to R): Naomi Marumoto, Gisele Bauche, Pat Challis, Debbie Norbery, Mary Field. Back Row (L to R): Nancy Stanley (Coach), Glenda Bodnariuk, Gwen Connon, Eileen Hannig, Ruth Ann Johnston, Vicki Hanwell, Bobbie Lelond, Marcia Hale, Connie Turnbull, Denise Horbas, Pat Butterfield (Manager).
There is a tear at the bottom of the photograph towards the right corner.
Scope and Content
Portrait of the Brandon University Lady Bobcats field hockey team. Back Row (L to R): Mary Jo Abbott, Diane Cop, Mona Harley, Brenda Johnson, Kirsty Henderson, Wendy Benyk, Jean Dell, Nancy Stanley (Coach). Front Row (L to R): Janet Fraser, Bev Cooper, Bev Morrison, Laurie King, Lucy Evans, Rona Henderson.
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