Heritage Buildings - Seventh Avenue

3. McCain Hardware Building 436 7th Avenue

Building Code 574.D.6
Construction
Date
ca. 1890
Origins Retail
Description
The McBain Hardware Building occupies a central place in a strip of brick-fronted buildings, most constructed in the 1890’s, that line the west side of Seventh Avenue at the heart of Virden’s Heritage District.
Heritage Value
The McBain Hardware Building, featuring muted Romanesque Revival features, is the oldest building on this street and likely the oldest commercial building in Virden, visible in a photo dated 1886. It is further valued for its clear link to a long-standing Virden business operation the McBains Hardware and for its earlier use as the site of the McLellan and English general store.

Character Defining
Elements
Key elements that define the exterior heritage character of the McBain Hardware Building  include: 

- the modest corbel table that includes brick set at an angle and the subtle quoins
- the round-arched window treatment, a style followed by many later Virden buildings
- the rear wall of fieldstone

Key elements that define the interior heritage character of the McBain Hardware Building include:
Site History Formerly on This Site:

Larry Maguire Election Office
L&B Sewing Repair
Future Features
Al’s Catering
Petals, Pine & Potpourri
Lacey Hardware
McBain Hardware
McLellan & English – General Store building as well…


McLellan and English paid taxes in 1896.


Although the building is well known for its connection to the McBain Hardware – it was the site if McLellan & English General Store from at least 1895 to 1912.


Additional Information Appears in an 1886 photo in Ida Clingan's "The Virden Story."

Information on P 36 and   P149 


Click Here to contribute your comments, corrections,  stories and photos:












\