| Building
Code |
574.D.18 |
Construction
Date |
ca. 1890 |
| Origins |
|
Description
|
The Former
Post
Office Building occupies a central place in a strip of brick-fronted
buildings, most constructed in the 1890’s, that line the south
side of Nelson
Street, west of Seventh Avenue at the heart of Virden’s Heritage
District. |
Heritage
Value
|
The Former
Post
Office Building is valued for its several roles in the development
of Virden specifically its service as both a Post Office and the office
of
the Virden Advance during a key period when Virden was consolidating
its
role as a regional service provider and economic centre. It stands
apart
from many of its neighbours in that both levels of the facade are
relatively
intact. The building is linked to several influential pioneer
businessmen.
The Virden Advance, which in the 1890’s occupied the second
level, was founded
by C.J. Atkinson in 1885 and edited by W.H. Hall. Pioneer
merchant
J.W. Scarth served as postmaster from 1882 – 1890, much of that
time in this
building, and J.W. Higgenbotham took over in 1908 and oversaw the move
to
the new larger premises across the street. In its later years the
building
served as a lawyer’s office and a flower shop.
|
Character
Defining
Elements |
Key elements
that
define the exterior heritage character of the Former Post
Office Building include:
- the brick construction including the façade with a multi-layer
corbel
table, and its attractive finely detailed round-arched
window
treatment
- the main floor with its second entrance under an arched doorway and
the
bracketed canopy over the window, the second with its round arched
windows
and corbel tables as well as
Key elements that define the heritage character of the Former Post
Office
Building interior include an old staircase etc. |
| Site
History |
Formerly on This Site:
Elephant’s
Castle Arcade
Pirate’s Cove Arcade
Saddle Shop – Jim Hutchison
Virden Flower Shop as of 1970
Ardith’s Flowers
Joyce Gardiner Flowers
Greta’s Flowers
Doak Lawyers (Brayfield, Doak & Buckingham - before 1962
Fitzpatrick – Tailor (After George Hand)
George Hand - Tailor. |
| Additional
Information |
Ida Clingan
refers to the building as the "original Post Office building which Mr.
Brayfield (lawyer) purchased - likely around 1940-45.
Dr. Clingan established Office in the upper floor when he first moved
to town.
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From the Minnedosa Tribune
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