This three-storey brick building on Selkirk Avenue in Winnipeg, measuring 32 feet by 40 feet, was designed and built in 1911 by merchant William Blewett (1882-?) at a cost of about $6,000. The building contained Blewett’s butcher store on its main floor and four residential apartments on its upper floors.
A branch of the Canadian Bank of Commerce occuped the main floor retail space from 1919 to December 1920 when a new bank building was completed further down Selkirk Avenue.
Blewett Block (November 2020)
Source: George Penner
Blewett Block (February 2023)
Source: Jordan MakichukSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.91728, W97.14973
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Manitoba Business: Canadian Bank of Commerce
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 756/1911, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Permits include new warehouse for Good Street,” Winnipeg Tribune, 26 April 1911, page 5.
1911 Canada census, Automated Genealogy.
“Driver wanted apply Blewett butcher,” Manitoba Free Press, 14 November 1911, page 18.
“Nice modern suite to rent,” Manitoba Free Press, 21 June 1912, page 22.
“Bank buys site on Selkirk Ave.,” Manitoba Free Press, 4 March 1919, page 9.
“Celebrating founding of Ukrainian Club,” Manitoba Free Press, 7 May 1926, page 11.
Winnipeg fire insurance map, #279 May 1956, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Lawrie wagons keep rolling,” Winnipeg Free Press, 16 November 1974, page 100.
Preparation of this page was supported, in part, by the Gail Parvin Hammerquist Fund of the City of Winnipeg.
This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer, Jordan Makichuk, George Penner, and Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 22 December 2023
Historic Sites of Manitoba
This is a collection of historic sites in Manitoba compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. The information is offered for historical interest only.
Browse lists of:
Museums/Archives | Buildings | Monuments | Cemeteries | Locations | OtherInclusion in this collection does not confer special status or protection. Official heritage designation may only come from municipal, provincial, or federal governments. Some sites are on private property and permission to visit must be secured from the owner.
Site information is provided by the Manitoba Historical Society as a free public service only for non-commercial purposes.
Send corrections and additions to this page
to the MHS Webmaster at webmaster@mhs.mb.ca.Help us keep history alive!
