This building on Brandon’s Rosser Avenue was designed by the Montreal architectural firm of Taylor, Hogel and Davis, was constructed in 1907 for the Merchants Bank of Canada. In 1922, the bank was absorbed by the Bank of Montreal and it continued to be used as a bank branch until 1944. At that time, it was donated to the City of Brandon and used as its first public library until 1983.
The city gave the structure to the Brandon Chamber of Commerce and, following major renovations, it reopened officially in 1986. The building is a provincially-designated historic site. A plaque on its history was unveiled by the Manitoba Heritage Council.
Merchants Bank Building (October 2012)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Merchants Bank Building (May 2023)
Source: Jordan Makichuk
Merchants Bank Building (August 2023)
Source: Eva Janssen
Merchants Bank Building (August 2023)
Source: Eva Janssen
Commemorative plaque for the Brandon Public Library (August 2025)
Source: Glen Toews
Commemorative plaque for Merchants Bank Building (August 2025)
Source: Glen ToewsSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.84852, W99.95271
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Manitoba Business: Merchants Bank of Canada
Manitoba Business: Bank of Montreal
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Provincially Designated Historic Sites
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Historic Sites Advisory Board of Manitoba / Manitoba Heritage Council
Merchants Bank Building, 1043 Rosser Avenue, Brandon, Manitoba Historic Resources Branch.
We thank Eva Janssen and Jordan Makichuk for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 8 May 2024
Historic Sites of Manitoba
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