Link to:
Photos & Coordinates | Sources
This Winnipeg property lot was initially addressed on both Rupert Avenue and Pacific Avenue. The site was partially acquired around 1904 by fur merchant Reuben Simon Robinson. Further to the purchase and export of animal hides, these premises were also used for tanning and curing them. A $50 shed that measured 12 feet by 16 feet was built by contractor J. Boyd in 1904 for Robinson, and that was accompanied in 1905 with another $200 storage building which measured 14 feet by 12 feet. An early partnership with fellow fur dealer B. Z. Levinson was discontinued around March 1906. The Robinsons initially resided at 157 Rupert and expanded their residence in 1906 with the addition of a stone basement, second storey, kitchen, and verandah, with architectural plans provided by Frank Robert Evans and construction undertaken by A. Palin & Company. As business grew, the Robinsons acquired a new residence at 42 Hargrave Street and moved their place of dwelling off-site.
In the latter half of 1919, Robinson commissioned the adjacent R. S. R. Building and announced his intention to renovate their former quarters here. In addition to the R. S. R. Building, the Rupert frontage of this current building was also laid in 1919 as an expansion to said, measuring 34 feet wide to a depth of 50 feet. This concrete and brick warehouse, also designed by Evans, featured a full basement and reinforced concrete vault and was completed at a cost of $2,000.
Around July 1921, the American Hide and Fur Company (AHFC) was established and acquired the R. S. R. Warehouse (157 Rupert) from Robinson. The firm received its charter of incorporation via Letters Patent on 12 June 1923 and held an initial capital stock of $75,000. Its founding partners were Sarah Wasserman Cohen (c1887-1977), Moses Cohen (c1880-1963), Wilfred Cohen, Simon Judah Cohen, and David Horovitz, with Sarah, Moses, and Wilfred serving as the first directors.
The AHFC expanded their presence towards Pacific in 1927 with the commissioning of a new factory built by Fraser and McDonald. It measured 35 feet wide spanned to a depth that abutted into the 1919 warehouse and was completed at a cost of $8,000. The new facility featured 2,400 square feet of interior floor space, split evenly between the main floor and basement. The commercial venture was largely focused on exporting to markets in London, New York City, and elsewhere in Europe, and its business was heavily impacted with the embargo on hides enacted in the late 1940s. During this period, the AHFC took over former R. S. R. Warehouse of 157 Rupert and merged both structures into a unified building. Operations declined until their bankruptcy in March 1952.
The property was next acquired by the partnership of W. T. Rainford and W. Bruce Weese (operating as W. T. Rainford & Company Limited) for around two years, during which time it was branded as the Wainford and Reese Building, before changing hands to the Theatre Poster Service and being re-branded as the Theatre Poster Building. During the 1950s and 1960s, other businesses had office space here, including the Regency Coin and Stamp (Western) Limited.
In 1971, this property was acquired by St. Mary’s Montessori School. The non-denominational learning centre was first established at 352 St. Mary Avenue in the fall of 1967 and remained there until 29 November 1969 when that building was destroyed by fire. The school moved to the former Holy Family Juniorate Academy at 340 Provencher Boulevard from 1969 to 1971, before moving to this location. The structure underwent notable interior renovations and was later re-indexed under a single Pacific address. In the mid-2000s, the school redesigned the adjacent space as a playground in celebration of its 40th anniversary.
The former American Hide and Fur Building, Pacific Avenue elevation (no date)
Source: St. Mary’s Montessori School
The former American Hide and Fur Building, Rupert Avenue elevation (no date)
Source: St. Mary’s Montessori School
The former American Hide and Fur Building, east elevation (no date)
Source: St. Mary’s Montessori School
The former American Hide and Fur Building, Rupert Avenue elevation (August 2017)
Source: Nathan Kramer
The former American Hide and Fur Building, Pacific Avenue and east elevation (July 2017)
Source: Nathan KramerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.90028, W97.13507
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Frank Robert Evans (1865-1949)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: R S R Building (11 Martha Street, Winnipeg)
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 725/1904, City of Winnipeg Archives.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 381/1905, City of Winnipeg Archives.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 2458/1906, City of Winnipeg Archives.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 900/1919, City of Winnipeg Archives.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 1462/1919, City of Winnipeg Archives.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 2858/1927, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Relief to aliens [Petition opposes tannery],” Manitoba Free Press, 8 August 1917, page 27.
““I saw it in” The Tribune [The city has granted ...],” Winnipeg Tribune, 6 July 1921, page 6.
“30 Companies incorporated,” Winnipeg Tribune, 5 June 1923, page 2.
“29 companies incorporated during month,” Manitoba Free Press, 6 June 1923, page 14.
“Mortgage sale of valuable city property,” Manitoba Free Press, 18 March 1933, page 26.
“Twenty fire years ...” Winnipeg Tribune, 6 November 1937, page 54.
Obituary [Mrs. Reuben Cohen / Jennie Cohen], Winnipeg Free Press, 16 February 1949, page 24.
Winnipeg estate file #40536, Jessie Cohen, Archives of Manitoba.
“Notice of bankruptcy,” Winnipeg Tribune, 8 March 1952, page 3.
“75. Warehouse & Trackage [157 Rupert Ave.],” Winnipeg Free Press, 11 February 1953, page 29.
Obituary [Moses Cohen], Winnipeg Free Press, 5 October 1963, page 35.
“Warehouse and trackage [157 Rupert],” Winnipeg Free Press, 23 April 1969, page 47.
“Montessori grade 1,” Winnipeg Free Press, 26 August 1969, page 50.
“4-Session workshop set on Montessori,” Winnipeg Free Press, 7 November 1969, page 9.
“Fire destroys city landmark,” Winnipeg Free Press, 29 November 1969, pages 1 and 6.
“Montessori classes resume,” Winnipeg Free Press, 5 January 1970, page 3.
“Montessori party,” Winnipeg Free Press, 29 April 1970, page 21.
“St. Mary’s Montessori School at Children’s House,” Winnipeg Free Press, 29 May 1971, page 27.
“Montessori staff plans curriculum expansion,” Winnipeg Free Press, 20 August 1971, page 9.
“Club contract approved,” Winnipeg Free Press, 14 December 1971, page 4.
“Executives threaren to resign,” Winnipeg Free Press, 30 November 1971, page 12.
“Aim to involve poor families at nursery,” Winnipeg Free Press, 30 October 1972, page 3.
“Centre plans art auction,” Winnipeg Free Press, 25 November 1974, page 3.
“Children’s House,” Winnipeg Free Press, 3 September 1975, page 24.
Obituary [Sarah Cohen], Winnipeg Free Press, 24 November 1977, page 49.
“Chatting with children,” Winnipeg Free Press, 1 December 1979, page 48.
“Children’s House,” Winnipeg Free Press, 29 October 1989, Weekly West Edition page 15.
“City calendar [Children’s House Montessori Nursery School],” Winnipeg Free Press, 29 April 1980, page 2.
Orders-in-Council (EC 0003B), Order-in-Council #1610/30, GR1530, Archives of Manitoba.
Companies Office corporation documents (CCA 0059), 295A - American Hide & Fur Company Limited, GR6427, Archives of Manitoba.
Winnipeg Bankruptcy files (ATG 0071A), No. 5/1952 - American Hide & Fur Company, GR0477, Archives of Manitoba.
Henderson’s Winnipeg and Brandon Directories, Henderson Directories Limited, Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries.
We thank the St. Mary Montessori School for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer.
Page revised: 14 December 2022
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