A two-storey brick and stucco building at the southeast corner of Tenth Street and Princess Avenue in Brandon, measuring 55 feet by 120 feet, was built in 1929 by contractor Edwin Charles Higgens, with subcontractors Brandon Heating & Plumbing Company (plumbing and heating), A. T. Higgens (painting and decorating), and A. R. McDiarmid Limited (interior fittings) at a cost of about $50,000. It was intended as an automotive service station, showroom, and office building for The Imperial Oil Limited.
The building originally had two service bays, six gasoline pumps, showroom space on the main floor known as “Imperial Motors Limited” that sold Oldsmobile brand automobiles. The second floor housed the regional offices for the company. In the spring of 1934, the second floor became a dance hall known as the “Imperial Dance Gardens”.
The heavily renovated building, unrecognizable from its original appearnace, is still present at the site, attached to a one-storey building facing Princess Avenue that was constructed in 1980.
Imperial Oil Building and Service Station in the foreground with the Prince Edward Hotel in the background (circa 1932) by Clark J. Smith
Source: Lawrence Stuckey fonds (1-2002.3.1C21), S. J. McKee Archives, Brandon University
Imperial Dance Gardens bandstand (1941) by Ernest Jerrett
Source: Lawrence Stuckey fonds (1-2002.3.1AF8c), S. J. McKee Archives, Brandon University
Imperial Dance Gardens interior (1941) by Ernest Jerrett
Source: Lawrence Stuckey fonds (1-2002.3.1AF8b), S. J. McKee Archives, Brandon UniversitySite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.84676, W99.95113
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Manitoba Business: E. C. Higgens and Sons
Manitoba Business: The Imperial Oil Company Limited / Imperial Oil Limited
“New buildings send permit total upward,” Brandon Sun, 16 May 1929, page 1.
“Brandon nears new mark for building total,” Winnipeg Tribune, 25 May 1929, page 6.
“New home of Imperial Oil Co. is one of finest in Western Canada,” Brandon Sun, 7 December 1929, page 9.
“General contractors for the Imperial Oil Limited new Brandon division offices and many of the most important undertakings in Western Canada in recent years,” Brandon Sun, 7 December 1929, page 9.
“Handsome new Imperial Oil, Brandon division offices,” Brandon Sun, 7 December 1929, page 10.
“New Brandon division offices of Imperial Oil Limited located at 10th and Princess Streets,” Brandon Sun, 7 December 1929, page 11.
“Imperial Motors Limited,” Brandon Sun, 7 December 1929, page 12.
Brandon fire insurance map #31, April 1957.
We thank Christy Henry (S. J. McKee Archives) for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Jordan Makichuk.
Page revised: 29 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!
