Heritage Plaques - 2011

1. 1. MINERS’ UNION HALL - 1765 Columbia Ave. The Western Federation of Miners became an international union when Rossland received its charter in 1895. The Rossland branch was very instrumental in bringing about important Provincial legislation concerning the eight hour work-day and workers’ compensation. The hall, a three-storey building of High Victorian architecture is an interesting example of practical elegance. Constructed by the Federation in 1898, the sturdy building is the only Miner’s Union Hall existing in Canada. The hall hosted many spectacular events including traveling vaudeville shows, political rallies and a World Heavyweight Boxing exhibition. The hall was both a hotbed of union activity and a social centre for the community.

2. 16. Mater Miseracordiae Hospital - 1961 Georgia Street. In 1896, the boomtown of Rossland needed a hospital. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Newark, New Jersey responded by opening a temporary hospital in rented quarters on Columbia Avenue. Funds for a proper building were quickly raised and on July 4, 1897 the Sisters opened their new Mater Miseracordiae Hospital on Columbia Avenue and Georgia Street. The Sisters of St. Joseph operated the hospital for 72 years until 1969 when it was turned over to a local board. Over the years, the original hospital was replaced by a modern structure.

3. 14. The Velvet Hotel - 2197 Columbia Ave. The Velvet Hotel , a product of Rossland’s early years, 1897 - 1898, was valued at $3,000, a very handsome figure for a wooden building. In 1899, Jordon and Lockhart set up a furniture store and undertaking business inside. W.K. Esling, Rossland’s “Gentleman Journalist,” bought the

building in 1920 and used it as headquarters while he served as the Conservative M.L.A. in Victoria and later M.P. in Ottawa. When obtained by the Gospel Hall, the top story was removed. In 1930, it temporarily housed Rossland’s only miniature golf course.

4. 12. Wallace Building - 2167 Columbia Ave. This false front building was erected at the turn of the century. Lorne Campbell, manager of the West Kootenay Power and Light Co. owned this building which served as the Conservative Party headquarters. In 1923, the Salvation Army purchased the building and remained there until disbanding in 1968. Subsequently, it served as a carpenter shop and in the early 1970’s became Wayne’s T.V.

5. 10. West Kootenay Power & Light - 2127 - 2120 Columbia Ave. In May 1897, the West Kootenay Power and Light Co. was incorporated to supply electricity to the mines of Rossland. This building, owned by Lorne Campbell, was leased to the W.K.P.&L. to

house the head office. In 1930, the head office was moved to Trail and the company operated an electrical appliance store there until the end of World War II. (one picture or the other)

6. 8. Bank of Toronto - 2105 Columbia Ave. The “Stone” Block construction in 1896 was the first non-wood building erected in Rossland. The structure is easily recognized by its random rubble stone, plain pediment and cutstone quoins. The Bank of Toronto conducted business within the new building. The Rossland Miner newspaper obtained the building after the bank closed. The building housed Penny’s Grocery Store in the 20’s. Steven’s restaurant in the 30’s and the C.S. Williams Clinic until 1967.

7. 5. The Bank of Montreal - 2004 Columbia Ave. Built between 1898 and 1899, the bank was only one of five major Canadian banks competing in Rossland. This magnificent brick building provided a refreshing permanence amongst a sea of wooden structures. The cornerstone bears the altitude bench mark of 3410 ft above sea level. F.M. Rattenbury, the architect, also designed the Parliament buildings in Victoria. J.S.C. Fraser,

a colourful relative of Simon Fraser, was the first Bank Manager.

8. 17. Sacred Heart Catholic Church - 2414 Columbia Ave. The present church was constructed in 1915 under the direction of Father A.K. MacIntyre. Popularly known as “Father Mac,” he served the parish for nearly 60 years and was loved by all. The original church had been on Davis Street near the Miner’s Union Hall. The first Catholic priest to visit Rossland, Father Bedard, conducted the Mass in the mines. The history of the Catholic church in Rossland is marked by interesting occurrences from Father Lemay’s errand of mercy, to Father MacKinnon’s death ride on a racehorse.

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10. 24. Hoffman House - 2044 Washington St. Built prior to 1898, this structure is actually two

distinct buildings which now share a common façade. The northern building, the Hoffman House was considered the best hotel in the district boasting a dining room, club rooms, a bar room, 25 bedrooms and 4 bowling lanes in the rear. The Collins House, the smaller building was a bar and pool room until the late 20’s when it became Rossland’s first library.

29. THE WEST KOOTENAY SUBSTATION- 1817 Planer Cres. In 1898, the West Kootenay Power and Light Co. first delivered electrical power to Rossland over a 32-mile long 20,000-volt line from Bonnington Falls on the Kootenay River - the longest and highest voltage transmission line in the world at the time. This brick substation sheltered the transformers and equipment required to step down and deliver power to the city and the mines. The substation was

replaced in 1929. This building is currently a private

residence.

11. Drill Hall - 2095 Monte Christo St. The brick and granite building was built during the Boer War in 1904 at a cost of $12,500. It served as the Rossland Drill Hall and was originally used by the Rocky Mountain Rangers. The 24-inch walls in the basement and the metal bars on the windows secured any weaponry stored there. The structure was used as a temporary school in 1917 when Central School burned down and again in 1981 when MacLean School suffered the same fate. The Trail School Board bought the building from the War Asset Corporation for $150.

12. 4. Hunter Brothers Store - 1990 Columbia Ave. Constructed in 1905, the building housed Hunter Brothers Department Store. During a time when most businesses were small and more specialized, Hunter Bros. was diversified, catering to housewives, miners and businesses alike. As Rossland’s largest mercantile establishment, Hunter Bros. dealt in groceries, hardware, drygoods and clothing until the 1950’s when the store was sold to the T. Eaton Co.

13. 3. Burn’s & Co - 1973 Columbia Ave. This brick structure survived destruction by fire which claimed the frame buildings on either side of it. The building was constructed in 1906 by Pat Burns to house his butcher shop. Burns moved to Calgary to establish the P. Burns Meat Packing Co., but continued to operate the Rossland store through a series of managers. In 1944, Harold Elmes, a long-time alderman and mayor of Rossland, acquired the building from the owner of the Allan Hotel and operated the store as “The Butcheteria.”

14. 9. Jordon Block - 2104 - 2110 Columbia. Ave.

Constructed in 1898, the building served as a Hose Hall, storing fire apparatus until a new fire hall was built in 1900. Mr. James Jordan purchased this building and the one next to it and opened “the largest furniture store in the interior of BC.

15. ST. ANDREW’S UNITED CHURCH- 2100 First Ave. This building was constructed in 1898 as a Presbyterian Church under the direction of Rev. Gandier. In 1917, factions of the Methodist and Presbyterian churches merged to form the United Church of Canada. The bell for the "new" United Church came from the Methodist church. The first Presbyterian service in Rossland was held by Rev. Robertson in a store on Sourdough

Alley using planks laid on kegs for seats.

16. 7. The Post Office- 2096 Columbia Ave.

David Stussi, Rossland’s first Postmaster, had a grocery store and rough post office located in a log cabin on the present site of The Garage Restaurant. He placed the mail in a cheese box behind the door and each man sorted his own mail. In 1901, construction of Rossland’s present Post Office, the fifth in Rossland’s history, began under the direction of Thomas Bradbury. Firmly anchored with granite blocks from a city quarry, the foundation envelopes the window on the ground floor. Composed of brick the second storey displays an oriel window. The third story and Gothic roof were destroyed by the March 1929 fire.

17. 20. Rossland City Hall/ FIRE HALL - 2115 Queen St.

One of the prime reasons for Rossland’s incorporation in 1897 was the growing need for better fire protection. In early 1900, construction of the brick building was completed. The three large arched doors guaranteed quick departure from the hall. Horses, which pulled the hose carts, were kept in stables in the back and men had quarters on the floor above.

18. 11. Lalonde & Rodier Block - 2116, 2118, 2132 & 2140 Columbia Ave. In 1897 the Lalonde’s Shoe and Boot Shop, the first in Rossland, occupied this building. In 1911, the building became part of the Jordon Block and Mr. Hardy, an undertaker, opened a funeral parlour on the premises. Since the end of WW II, the building has had a number of commercial tenants, including Delich’s Jewellery for many years.

19. 15. Courthouse - 2288 Columbia Ave.

Rossland’s third courthouse since 1894 was completed in 1901 at a cost of $53,000. Designed by John J. Honeyman, a Scot who made his home in Rossland, the building characterizes late Victorian architecture with its symmetrical corner towers, highly pitched roof and almost fortress-like appearance. Exquisite woodwork and a large stained glass window dominate and dignify the courtroom. The large granite blocks which support the building were taken from a city quarry. In 1986 it was granted National Heritage status.

Plaques for 2012 1) Kamloops Mining and Drilling Co.

This building was constructed in 1895 or 1896 by the Kamloops Mining and Drilling Co. - the main floor for commercial use and boarders’ rooms above. It was a 3 storey building with a false front and a large deck across the front of the 2nd floor. Many commercial enterprises have occupied this space, including a cigar manufacturing shop in the early years and the name of the building has changed as many times. Today, the building is divided into a number of apartments.

2) Bodega Hotel

(Rossland Light Opera Company)

One of Rossland’s earliest and smallest hotels, best known for its saloon, constructed between 1896 and 1898. The dining room and the kitchen were located below the ground floor and the main floor had the bar-room, two clubrooms and a reading room. There were a total of 32 bedrooms in the hotel and just one water closet. In 1911, George Green, the founder of Green City near Salmo opened an ice cream parlour on the premises. The popular Rosie’s Cafe occupied the building from 1930 until 1945. The Rossland Light Opera Company bought the building in 1985 and have used it for meetings, practices, set construction and storage since then.

3) Montreal Hotel

(The OK Store)

Constructed in 1896, the Montreal Hotel was perhaps Rossland’s smallest hotel with dimensions of only 24’ x 31’. It contained a saloon, a dining room and 2 club rooms on the main floor with 2 bedrooms on the 1st floor and 7 in the attic.

In the 1930’s the building operated as an Okanagan fruit outlet hence the name OK Store, the last one remaining of what was once a chain of stores. Many different businesses have operated from these premises in the years since.

The building’s Western Vernacular style of architecture is characteristic of boom town buildings with its high peaked facade, false front appearance, ship lap construction and lean-to at the rear.

4) B. C. Telephone Building

(Senior Citizens’ Center)

A beautiful brick building built as early as 1900 and purchased by the B.C. Telephone Company in 1910 to house the telephone exchange for Rossland. All telephone calls went through an operator so the operator could volunteer information as to where the called party might be reached if they weren’t near their phone. B. C. Tel vacated the building when a new automated dial exchange was installed on Columbia Avenue. In 1958 the building became the Seniors’ Center and has served that role to the present time.

Unfortunately, the facade of the front of the building has been covered with stucco as a way to deal with the decaying brick underneath.

5) Munn’s Bakery

Alex Munn opened a bake shop in this store in 1902. In the 1920’s it became Mrs. Bailey’s Confectionery store and was a popular stop for many children on their way home from school. Subsequently, the store has served as a corner store, a plumbing supply store and a restaurant.

6) Bellevue Hotel

(The Flying Steam Shovel)

This hotel is the only one of Rossland’s many hotels built prior to 1900 that is still serving as a hotel today. Constructed in 1897 as the Bellevue Hotel, it was built across the road from where the new C.P.R. railway station would soon be. It had a total of 27 well furnished bedrooms, a large dining room and an office with sitting room. It was a popular drinking establishment for men returning from work at

the mines and from Trail on the afternoon train. Many “regulars” were said to have had their own personal beer steins.

Changes in ownership have given the hotel different names - from 1903 to the early 1990’s it was known as the Orwell Hotel. The current name is the Flying Steam Shovel to recognize the endeavors of an early Rossland inventor who experimented with helicopter-type flight from the hotel’s rooftop.

7) Agnew and Company

Agnew & Co., a combined grocery and dry goods store began conducting business in the modest wooden building in 1900. As business grew, the building also expanded. Oswald Bisson married the Agnew’s daughter and took over the business in the 1920’s. As was common in that period groceries were delivered by horse drawn sleigh in the winter and by wagon in the summer. After WW2 the building was occupied by a building supply store before being converted into apartments.

8) Lemon Block

The Lemon Block marked the western entrance to Rossland from the stage road to Northport, Washington when the building was constructed in 1895. R. E. Lemon had his General Store on the main floor and living accommodations above. For a short time in 1896, the store housed the first Bank of Montreal before it moved across the street and later into the present Bank of Montreal building in 1900. The building has been divided into apartments for a number of years.

9) Collins House

A smaller hotel built next to the famous Hoffman House was constructed in 1898. It had a bar-room, 3 clubrooms, a large dining room and a large kitchen on the main floor. There were 14 bedrooms and initially, the attic was not furnished. In the late 1920’s Rossland’s first library was located here. The Hoffman House and the Collins House were later connected and became known as Wise’s Hardware Store for many years. Today, these two buildings are again separated and have been home to a variety of businesses.

10) Rossland Golf Course Clubhouse

The Rossland Trail Golf and Country Club goes back to 1922 - the first in the West Kootenays. In 1927, the Club relocated its link styled, 9 hole course closer to Rossland and built this fine clubhouse that is still in use today. The grounds also included tennis courts for the members and the clubhouse has been a social mecca for people from Trail and Rossland ever since. The clubhouse with its log construction, generous proportions and wonderful stone fireplace, is an important reminder of one aspect of recreation that Rosslanders have enjoyed for many years.