This warehouse on Arthur Street, designed by architect James Henry Cadham, was the third built by Robert Jones Whitla for his expanding dry goods business, in 1899. Two storeys were added to the original five in 1904. With its clear and simple geometric lines, the structure is Richardsonian-Romanesque in style.
Some employees of the company who were killed during service in the First World War were commemorated at a 61st Battalion concert held at the Walker Theatre on 13-14 December 1915, in a 101st Battalion souvenir program dedicated to Colonel Henry Norlande Ruttan on 24 April 1916, or in a 144th Battalion military vaudeville held at the Winnipeg Theatre on 9-11 March 1916.
The entire complex of this building and the adjacent Robinson, Little and Company Building is sometimes known as the Silpit Building. A plaque is mounted on the northeast corner of the building, which is a municipally-designated historic site.
Whitla Building (circa 1903)
Source: An Illustrated Souvenir of Winnipeg, William A. Martel & Sons, 1903.
Silpit Building (September 2015)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Silpit Building (July 2024)
Source: Greg Petzold
Silpit Building (October 2024)
Source: George Penner
Whitla Building commemorative plaque (August 2009)
Source: City of WinnipegSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.89721, W97.14123
denoted by symbol on the map above
Name
Occupation
Service
Rank
Birth Date
Death Date
George Clarence Fargey
[Next of Kin, St. Matthews Anglican]Salesman
8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry
Corporal
30 September 1887
10 November 1917
William Clark Gibb
[Next of Kin]Dry Goodsman
43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry
Sergeant
4 June 1888
28 September 1918
William Gill
[St. Matthews Anglican]Technical Chemist
44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry
Sergeant
6 July 1888
23 August 1917
Thomas William Norris
Tailor
8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry
Private
26 March 1877
25 April 1915
Albert Edward Wilson
[St. Matthews Anglican]Dry Goods Clerk
43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry
Private
26 July 1879
28 August 1918
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: James Henry Cadham (1850-1907)
Memorable Manitobans: Robert Jones Whitla (1846-1905)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Robinson, Little and Company Building / Silpit Building (54 Arthur Street, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Dugald Costume Museum / Costume Museum of Canada (410-70 Arthur Street, Winnipeg)
R. J. Whitla and Company Building (70 Arthur Street), City of Winnipeg Historical Buildings Committee, May 2007.
Information for this page was provided by The City of Winnipeg’s Planning, Property and Development Department, which acknowledges the contribution of the Government of Manitoba through its Heritage Grants Program.
We thank Darryl Resch, Darryl Toews, Greg Petzold, and George Penner for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 2 November 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!
