This two-storey brick and stone building on Main Street North in Dauphin, measuring 40 feet by 50 feet, was designed by local municipal engineer Harold Sprenger (1889-?). It was constructed in 1921 using donated materials, under the supervision of Frank Neely, at a cost of about $17,000. Excavation of the site was done by day labour with concrete by J. Lane, brickwork by T. Love, plumbing and heating by F. W. Bumstead, lathing by J. Mailman, plastering by D. Justice, and electrical by Ed Mayo. The building was intended as a hall for the local branch of the Great War Veterans Association (later Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 20). It opened officially on 29 September 1921.
The hall also served as an armoury from late 1927 until being closed in April 1970. The town library occupied space in the building from 1949 to 1958. In 1967, a one-storey addition, measuring 40 feet by 44 feet, was added to the rear of the building.
Great War Veterans Hall of Dauphin (no date)
Source: Dauphin Valley Spans the Years, page 255.
Dauphin Legion Hall (February 2020)
Source: George PennerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N51.15159, W100.04798
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Manitoba Organization: Great War Veterans Association (GWVA)
Manitoba Organization: Royal Canadian Legion
Attestation papers [Harold Sprenger], Canadian Expeditionary Force, Library and Archives Canada.
“Formal opening of new G.W.C.A. building,” Dauphin Herald and Press, 29 September 1921, pages 1, 4.
“Military ball,” Dauphin Herald and Press, 15 December 1927, page 1.
Dauphin fire insurance maps #20, June 1959.
“Armory will close by April 1,” Dauphin Herald, 7 January 1970, page 2.
Dauphin Valley Spans the Years, pages 255-256.
Dauphin: A Historical Walking Tour, City of Dauphin.
This page was prepared by George Penner, Jordan Makichuk, and Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 1 June 2025
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