Historic Sites of Manitoba: Boissevain Town Hall / Laverne Robertson Memorial Building (578 Cook Street, Boissevain, Municipality of Boissevain-Morton)

This two-storey brick structure in Boissevain in the Municipality of Boissevain-Morton, a municipally-designated historic site (1988), was erected in 1910 as the centre of local government, also providing space for the fire hall, courtroom, and jail. The structure features distinctive second-floor windows and decorative stone and brickwork with elements of Classical Revival styling with its pediment pilasters, shallow front pavilion and formal entrance. It is now used as office space for several local businesses.

In 1989, it was renamed the Laverne Robertson Memorial Building to commemorate Harvey Laverne Robertson (c1945-1988) who suffered a fatal heart attack while driving a bulk fuel truck and crashed into the Boissevain Fire Hall.

Postcard view of the Boissevain Town Hall, with St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church at right (circa 1912) Source: Rob McInnes, MN0532 Postcard view of the Boissevain Town Hall, with St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church at right (no date) Source: Gordon Goldsborough, 2015-0161 Laverne Robertson Memorial Building (September 2012) Source: Gordon Goldsborough Laverne Robertson Memorial Building (July 2018) Source: George Penner Laverne Robertson Memorial Building (August 2019) Source: Rose Kuzina Laverne Robertson Memorial Building (July 2025) Source: Glen Toews Commemorative plaque on the Laverne Robertson Memorial Building (July 2025) Source: Glen Toews Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.22986, W100.05545 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Hartney Town Hall (220 West Railway Street, Hartney, Municipality of Grassland)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Manitou Opera House (325 Main Street, Manitou, Municipality of Pembina)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Virden Municipal Building and Auditorium (228 Wellington Street West, Virden)

Sources:

Boissevain Town Hall, 578 Cook Street, Boissevain, Manitoba Historic Resources Branch.

Boissevain Special Places, Heritage Manitoba.

“Fatal coronary hinted as caused of truck crash,” Brandon Sun, 7 August 1988, page 8.

We thank Rose Kuzina, George Penner, and Glen Toews for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 10 July 2025

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