Historic Sites of Manitoba: Fraser Block / Chrest Block (1031 Rosser Avenue, Brandon)

This three-storey brick and stone building on Rosser Avenue in Brandon was designed by local architect William Richard Marshalland constructed in 1890 by building contractor Henry Wheeldon. This Brandon landmark was the premises of Alexander Cumming Fraser and Company, one of the city’s leading department stores. When it was known as the Fraser Block, the building was also one of the earliest locations of the Rapid City Academy, a forerunner of Brandon University.

The building was renamed the Chrest Block by owner William Chrest. His sons Norman, Chris, and Nick operated a dry-cleaning business there until the early 1970s. Designated as a municipal heritage site in 1988, it was later home to a bookstore.

Fraser Block / Chrest Block (October 2012) Source: Gordon Goldsborough Fraser Block / Chrest Block (May 2018) Source: George Penner Fraser Block / Chrest Block (August 2023) Source: Eva Janssen Fraser Block / Chrest Block (August 2023) Source: Eva Janssen Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.84852, W99.95227 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Memorable Manitobans: William Richard Marshall (1854-1909)

Memorable Manitobans: Henry Wheeldon (1847-1903)

Memorable Manitobans: Alexander Cumming Fraser (1849-1944)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Brandon College and Clark Hall Buildings (270 Eighteenth Street, Brandon)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites

Sources:

Fraser Block (Chrest Block), Manitoba Historic Resources Branch.

1031 Rosser Avenue, Heritage Brandon.

We thank Karen Chrest, George Penner, and Eva Janssen for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 14 September 2023

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