| Building
Code |
574.D.19 |
Construction
Date |
1905 |
| Origins |
|
Description
|
The Empire
Publishing Co. Building occupies the corner of Nelson Street
and
Eighth Avenue overlooking Historic Nelson Street from the western
boundary
of Virden’s Heritage Business District. |
Heritage
Value
|
The Empire
Publishing Co. Building, is valued as a direct link to J.A.
McLachlan
and C.S. McLelland who published the first edition of the Virden Empire
on
July, 13, 1905. It is also valued for its link to Virden’s
first newspaper,
the Virden Advance, founded in 1885 by C.J. Atkinson and edited by W.H.
Hall,
through the amalgamation of the two paper in 1907. The Virden Empire
Advance
thus lays claim to being the longest continuously operating business
site
in Virden. The building, likely dating from 1905, is also noted for
it’s
Commercial-style architecture and well-preserved brick finish, as well
as
its intact interior elements. The interior houses a collection of
printing
equipment, artifacts, and archival records which are indispensable to a
full
understanding of Virden’s history. The upper floors have seen
various uses
including long-term use as a dentist’s office.
|
Character
Defining
Elements |
Key elements
that define the exterior heritage character of the Empire
Publishing
Co. Building include:
- the tall narrow form
- the brick finish with its well-defined bays and firm cornice
- the main floor with its corner entrance
-
Key elements that define the heritage character of the Empire
Publishing
Co. Building interior include:
- original features such as tin paneling on some walls in the printing
area,
wood trim and doors
- the second-storey office and residential space with wooden doors and
trim
- the stone-lined basement with its printing artifacts and archival
record
storage
|
| Site
History |
Formerly on
This Site:
Since 1907 – Empire
Advance
Prior to 1907 Empire Publishing Company
Upstairs Dentists:
Dr. Strachan
Dr. Bradley
|
| Additional
Information |
Click Here to
contribute your comments, corrections, stories and photos:
|
|
Selected items
from the
1905 Empire
Aug 3, 1905 The Canadian Pacific passenger department is sending out
circulars
to the company’s agents in the wheat area asking for informaiton
by wire
as to the estimated number of men re1quired for ethe approaching
ahrvest
work. By that means the department hopes to get an approximate idea of
the
number of men that will be required in the various districts, which
will
facilitate matters both from the point of dispatching labour from the
east
and also in distributing the men when they reach here.
Aug. 3, 1905 The works committee deserve great credit for the manner in
which
they have hurried along the work of building the sidewalks.
Notwithstanding
the unfavorable weather, they have already completed the work for this
season,
having constructed 17500 feet of new cemet walk which with what was
done
last year makes a total of 18725 feet of practically permanent
sidewalks,
putting Virden in a place by itself so far ahead as to be out of
immediate
reach of the other towns of its class in theis respect.
The CPR gardens are a source of much favourable comment by passengers
on
the trains passing through. They seem to draw the attention of everyone
who
receives a good impression of the town even though they are only
passing
through. Mr. Chivers deserves great credit for the state of perfection
to
which he ahs brought these gardens in such a short space of time. 1905
Among the little things which might improve the appearance and add to
the
comfort and convenience of the public would be a suitable crossing from
the
CPR depot to the sidewalk. Aug. 3, 1905.
By Proctor Knox – What’s the use of always being in a rush!
You many be further
ahead 1—years from now by taking it easy. You may meet a friend
and feel
as if you would like to spend a little time in conversation but he is
in
a rush and you are so impressed that you feel as if you had sinned
against
him in trying to hold him for a minute. He has no time, that is all.
But
this being in h hurry all the time is doing us a great injury. The
constant
rush has killed conversation. Get into the average crowd and generally
there
is only one topic of conversation, the crop and the weather and the
prices.
Converstatio is dead as is fine art.
Aug 10 The reserve frontage of over six acres situated west of
King
St and north of Fourth St. for which Mr. Gyles offered $150 was
discussed.
The unanimous opinion bing that the property was worth at least $100
per
acre.
The law says No grouse, prairie chicken or partridge shall be shot
between
the 15th Nov and the 15th Sept. therefore any chicken killed before the
15th
of next motnh will be in defiance of the law.
Country life – Aug 17 1905 This is the season of the year
when the
beauty of the country impresses the traveler. Everything in nature
suggests
prosperity and happiness. The trees are cooling with heavy foliage and
the
meadows fragrant with the scent of new mown hay. The gardens are filled
with
vegetqabels and gay flowers and the warm sunshine is painting the face
of
the country yellow with with brightness more bewitching than that of
gold.
The person who is privileged to live in the country now should be
happy.
Laying of the cornerstone of Virden’s new school by Lebanon Lodge
A.F. and
A.M. on Aug 31, 1905.
Virden, while not in any sense booming, is steadily and rapidly
increasing
in size and importance as a business centre. Most important building
this
year is the school which is being built by Contractor Hw and McDougall
and
Harris have the brick and mason work in charge. It will cost when
completed
and ready for occupation fully $25,000. The next in importance
comes
the drill hall and armoury which hs been erected by the Dominion
Government.
It is a large frame building, situated on Seventh avenue and will be a
great
convenience to the officers and men of the 12th Manitoba Dragoons.
Contractor
Ireland has it almost completed. Its cost will be $10,000. Mr. Megaflin
will
also erect a modern sale stable on Seventh Avenue.
Sept 7, 1905
A source of considerable interest on Friday was the introduction of an
automobile
on the streets. The horses were surprised at the unusual sight at first
but
like true westerners will quickly adapt thrmselves to the sight of
their
pompetitor. To Mr. H.H. Goulter belongs the credit of having the first
automobile
in town, although not the first horse-less carriage by any means.
Oct. 12, 1905
Within a short time we shall be connected with the south by the CNR
which
instead of curtailing our business whould and will if properly gone
after,
be a means of increasing our trade. It will open an avenue of trade in
the
south which has been practically closed to us for a long time.
Oct. 12, 1905
Those who were at the station on Saturday when No. 2 passed through had
the
privilege of seeing the coaches in chich the Govbernor General and
suite
were traveling.
We are informed by the local manager, Mr. Higginbotham of the telephone
company,
that the long distance telephone is proving quite a boon to the patrons
of
the company and that it is being used extensively. It will be a
further
convenience when the line is completed to Moosomin.
Persons desirous of having the gas installed for use this winter are
advised
to make application as early as possible so that outside connections
can
be made before the ground freezes. 1905
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