Historic Sites of Manitoba: Whiting Hardware Building (106 Osborne Street, Winnipeg)

This two-storey brick building on Osborne Street in Winnipeg, measuring 25 feet by 50 feet, was designed by local architect John Hamilton Gordon Russell and built in 1909 by contractor John H. Maxwell at a cost of about $6,000. In its original configuration, the building contained a single retail space on the main floor, occupied initially by the Fort Rouge store of the Whiting Hardware Company, while the second floor contained a single residential apartment.

In 1938, the ground floor retail space became occupied by Harold George “Harry” Davidson (1913-1959) who operated a photo studio and was later joined by his brother John Robert “Jack” Davidson (1911-2000). The Davidson Studios became the largest photo studio in Winnipeg and it remained in the space until it went into receivership in early 1976.

Davidson Studio (mid-1950s) Source: Jake Davidson Whiting Hardware Building (February 2023) Source: Jordan Makichuk Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.87878, W97.14592 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Memorable Manitobans: John Hamilton Gordon Russell (1863-1946)

Manitoba Photographers: Davidson Studio

Sources:

City of Winnipeg Building Permit 2437/1909, City of Winnipeg Archives.

“Building permits,” Winnipeg Tribune, 23 November 1909, page 9.

This page was prepared by Jordan Makichuk.

Page revised: 3 August 2024

Historic Sites of Manitoba This is a collection of historic sites in Manitoba compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. The information is offered for historical interest only. SEARCH the collection Browse lists of: Museums/Archives | Buildings | Monuments | Cemeteries | Locations | Other Inclusion in this collection does not confer special status or protection. Official heritage designation may only come from municipal, provincial, or federal governments. Some sites are on private property and permission to visit must be secured from the owner. Site information is provided by the Manitoba Historical Society as a free public service only for non-commercial purposes. Send corrections and additions to this page to the MHS Webmaster at webmaster@mhs.mb.ca. Search Tips | Suggest an Historic Site | FAQ Help us keep history alive!