This two-storey brick building, at the northwest corner of Elizabeth Street and Second Street in Baldur, in the Rural Municipality of Argyle, measures 52 feet by 60 feet. It was designed by Brandon architect Walter Henderson Shillinglaw and constructed in 1899 for merchant Alexander Fowler at a cost of about $6,000.
Alexander Fowler had arrived in Baldur in 1891 to operate a new grain elevator for the Manitoba Elevator Company, of which his father William Oliver Fowler was President. By 1895, Alexander Fowler had purchased the saddlery business of C. W. Watson and, four years later, constructed this building. The west part of the main floor was occupied by the saddlery business; the larger eastern section was rented to various merchants, starting with a general store. In 1904, Fowler became the community postmaster and for the next 31 years the Baldur post office was located here.
The building remained in the Fowler family until 1978 when it was sold to Earl and Joy Johnson, publishers of the Baldur Gazette, who also operated a grocery store here. In 1995, the building became a municipally-designed historic resource. As of 2024, it is still used by members of the Johnson family.
Fowler Block (no date)
Source: James Wall collection (12-2004.9), S. J. McKee Archives, Brandon University
Fowler Block (October 2011)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Fowler Block (March 2020)
Source: George PennerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.38509, W99.24450
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Walter Henderson Shillinglaw (1864-1957)
Memorable Manitobans: Alexander “Sandy” Fowler (1868-1950)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites
MHS Centennial Business: Glenboro Gazette / Baldur Gazette / Baldur-Glenboro Gazette
The Canadian Contract Record, Volume 10, 12 April 1899, page 2.
Come Into Our Heritage: RM of Argyle, 1882-1982 by The Rural Municipality of Argyle, 1981, page 149.
Fowler Block, 225 Elizabeth Avenue East, Baldur, Manitoba Historic Resources Branch.
We thank Ed Grassick, George Penner, Jordan Makichuk, and Christy Henry (S. J. McKee Archives) for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 9 September 2024
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!
