Lee’s Grocery
Elizabeth Ave.
1924
History
Mr. Lee Foon arrived in 1916 and purchased a restaurant business from
Charlie King. He built this building in 1924 to house his store, with a
café and ice-cream shop at the back. He retired in 1959. His sons Tommy
(died 1961) and then Oscar took over the business until 2010.
Features
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Thomas Poole Hardware
Elizabeth Ave.
1910
History
Thomas E. Poole moved to Baldur in 1890 and established himself as a
hardware dealer and tinsmith. In 1901 he built the brick building that
in 2010 houses the Argyle Museum.
This designated municipal heritage site has been the site of Hardware
business operated by Hunter and Gemmill (1925), Hunter (J.O.) and Sons,
Wm. Burton (as a Mashall Wells Store), and Joe Januska. The interior
retains some of the original metal ceiling and elements of trim and
wall coverings.
Other occupants: Dennis Mateychuck, Kay McGill
Features
- the interior retains some of the original metal ceiling and wood
flooring
- brick exterior – date stone
- residence upstairs
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Fowler Block
22 Elizabeth Avenue
1899
History
Alex Fowler
Originally Mr. Fowler operated his harness, saddlery and shoe business
from the eastern segment and the west side was rented to by J. Smith
and Sons for a grocery. In 1902 R. Rollin took over the J. Smith
business. After a long run it was taken over by Karl and Lily Bjarnason
(1938-60) then Marcel Fransoo operated it until the current owners, Joy
and Earl Johnson purchased it.
There was a dressmaker’s shop above the Rollins Store at one time
Features
Harry Haskill, the “Glenboro cyclone bricklayer” (A quote from the
Baldur Gazette”?
- oldest building on Elizabeth Avenue
- date stone - nice brickwork
- interior elements – metal ceiling
- municipally designated heritage site.
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Curtis Block Site
Elizabeth Ave.
1901
History
Percy F. Curtis bought out the business of George Griffith on the
corner of Elizabeth and Second Street about 1895. It had been the first
store in town. In 1901 he completed a new brick two-storey
building with a distinctive corner entrance and a second level balcony.
Proprietors included the Playfair Brothers, Neil McDonald,
Frederickson’s Cash Store, W.G. Kilgour and the Co-op. The upper level
was called the Victoria Hall after Queen Victoria. It was home to
various public gatherings and entertainments, including movies in its
later years. Mr. Curtis also operated a store in Greenway for a time.
He had the areas first telephone installed to callow communication
between the two operations.
Features:
- only portions of the exterior wall from the original structure
remain, the original building was largely demolished in 1957 and
converted into a filling station
**Torn down as of 2013
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Baldur Motor Hotel
2nd St
ca. 1960
History
Features
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Former Chester House Sample Room
Back lane off of 1st St.
1890
History
Jesse Chester
Jesse Chester’s house became a sort of unofficial restaurant for
railway workers in 1890 and he was soon persuaded to open a boarding
house that became know as the Chester House. It was expanded over the
years to become a full-service hotel until the early 1950’s. The Sample
Room (where Traveling Salesman could display their “samples”) was in a
rectangular building to the north of the gable-fronted “Hotel” part. In
1910 it was taken over by Jos. Morris and became the “Baldur Hotel”
Features
- part of the original building was moved to this site in 1959 |
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Pool Elevator
Elizabeth Ave.
1927
History
Baldur’s first elevator, the Manitoba Elevator, was a horse-powered
structure built in 1891 by W.O. Fowler and operated by his son Alex.
This was soon replaced by the Farmer’s Elevator with a 12 horsepower
engine. Other elevators followed. The Baldur Pool Elevatorwas built in
1927 by the Canadian Elevator Co. for the newly formed Pool.
Features
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