This two-storey brick and stone building on Maple Avenue East in Hamiota, in the Municipality of Hamiota, measuring 26 feet by 63 feet, was designed by Winnipeg architect George Creeford Browne as a branch of the Union Bank of Canada. It was built in 1902 as a three-storey building by contractor George S. Anderson.
In 1925, the bank merged with the Royal Bank of Canada but, three years later, the uppermost storey was destroyed by fire. The second storey was then converted into an apartment for the bank manager. The bank continued to occupy the building until closing in 1977.
The building became a municipally designated historic site in February 1995.
The building is now home to the Heritage Arts Centre. One of its occupants is the Hamiota and District Archive, established in February 1986 as a non-profit organization to collect and preserve materials relevant to the Hamiota area. The group also compiled the two-volume local history book Hamiota: Grains of the Century. The Archive is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Union Bank Building at Hamiota (1903)
Source: Manitoba Free Press, 23 May 1903, page 17.
Royal Bank Building at Hamiota (1928)
Source: The Heritage Arts Centre, Mid West Arts Council
Hamiota and District Archive (September 2011)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Hamiota and District Archive (May 2021)
Source: Rose Kuzina
Hamiota and District Archive (June 2023)
Source: Jordan MakichukSite Coordinates (lat/long): N50.17955, W100.59785
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: George Creeford Browne (1852-1919)
Manitoba Business: Union Bank of Canada
Manitoba Business: Royal Bank of Canada
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites
“Plans for Hamiota bank,” Manitoba Free Press, 31 May 1902, page 9.
The Canadian Contract Record, Volume 13, 4 June 1902, page 2.
“Union Bank of Canada, Hamiota,” Manitoba Free Press, 23 May 1903, page 17.
“Mr. Geo S. Anderson,” Manitoba Free Press, 23 May 1903, page 18.
Hamiota: Grains of the Century: 1884-1984 by Hamiota Centennial History Committee, 1984, page 124.
Union Bank Building (Royal Bank Building) 39 Maple Avenue E, Hamiota, Manitoba Historic Resources Branch.
The Heritage Arts Centre, Mid West Arts Council.
We thank Rose Kuzina for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough and Jordan Makichuk.
Page revised: 10 December 2024
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