A five-storey concrete, steel, and red brick building at the northwest corner of Rosser Avenue and Ninth Street in Brandon was designed by Winnipeg architect Frank Robert Evans. It was constructed in the summer and fall of 1910 by the construction firm of Christopher Hickey Simpson at a cost of about $85,000.
Built on behalf of pharmacist David E. Clement, it replaced his former pharmacy on the same site, along with Brandon's first post office from 1882 established by Loftus Morton Fortier. The first floor was occupied by Clement’s pharmacy and other retail shops. The remainder of the space became offices for various commercial enterprises, including Canada’s first medical clinic established by Wilfred Abram Bigelow, and the law firm of Stephen Emmett Clement and Robert Addison Clement.
After a failed effort in the late 1980s by the Assiniboine Historical Society to have the building designated as provincially significant, the Clement Block was demolished in July and August 1989, and the site is now occupied by a one-storey commercial structure.
Clement Block (1910)
Source: Brandon Sun, 16 February 1911, page 1.
Postcard view of the Clement Block (no date)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough, 2015-0034Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.84861, W99.95028
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Frank Robert Evans (1865-1949)
Memorable Manitobans: David E. Clement (1874-1938)
“An old land mark disappearing,” Brandon Sun, 30 March 1910, page 1.
“Rosser Ave frontage brings high figure,” Brandon Sun, 8 September 1910, page 2.
“Building will be brisk for years,” Brandon Sun, 12 January 1911, page 1.
“Brandon’s big buildings,” Brandon Sun, 23 February 1911, page 9.
“Date with wrecking ball awaits Clement Block,” Brandon Sun, 13 June 1989, page 27.
“Walkway to be closed during demolition period,” Brandon Sun, 20 June 1989, page 2.
“Clement Block housed prewar medical clinic” by Fred McGuinness, Brandon Sun, 3 August 1989, page 12.
We thank Glen Toews for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 9 March 2025
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!
