January 23-SaskPower Building

In addition to designing City Hall (see January 2 entry), Joseph Pettick also designed the SaskPower building, seen in the photo above. It is curved in an 's' shape, with the upper part of the s (on the left-hand side of the building) splitting into two to form a Y shape. The columns that grace the front of the building are shaped like dinosaur leg bones. It's a really quirky building - especially when it was built in 1963.

For more information about SaskPower or its headquarters in Regina, visit the Power Museum website.

January 22-Regina's rush hour

I think many people feel Regina's claim of having a 'rush-minute' instead of a rush-hour is a ... bunch of hooey (to put it politely.) Having lived in most major western Canadian cities, I didn't believe it either. That is, until I lived in Regina and saw it for myself.

Above is the intersection of 12th Avenue and Scarth Street. 12th Avenue is one of the four main east-west arteries in the downtown core. This photograph was taken just before 5 p.m. - the height of rush hour in Regina. NOTE: The cars along the right-hand side are parked; they are not part of that rush-hour traffic.

With the construction boom in the last few years, more people (and cars) have moved to Regina. I have heard longtime resident moan about waiting every once and a while for TWO lights to get through an intersection. They truly don't know how good they have it here in Regina.

January 21-Regina Public Library

The bylaw to establish a public library for Regina was passed on January 17, 1908. When the branch opened a year later in City Hall, it boasted three rooms filled with books.

During its 112 year history, the Regina Public Library (or RPL as locals call it) has expanded its mandate to include an incredible children's library, First Nations Branch (called Albert Library), two art galleries [Dunlop & Sherwood] and a film feature that shows world cinema.

The Central Library (shown here) was built in 1961 and officially opened on December 5, 1962. The architects - Izumi, Arnott & Sugiyama - ensured the new building incorporated features of the original Carnegie building: a medallion containing the library's crest is located beside the front doors and columns from the building are scattered around its lower courtyard.

The library's website lists all current programs, its library catalogue and a detailed description of its colourful history.

January 20 - Northern Bank Building

This building is one of the oldest commercial buildings in the downtown. Built in 1906 at a cost of $115,000, this building was the Regina's branch office of the Northern Bank which was based in Winnipeg. At the time, this five-story structure towered over all other buildings in Regina's downtown core.

Northern Bank amalgamated with Toronto's Crown Bank two years after it was built. The site was designated a Provincial Heritage Property in 1989.

To learn more about the building, read the history of the Northern Bank compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. The bank's description is found halfway down the page and features a picture of the bank taken over a hundred years ago.

January 19-Cornwall Centre

As I was walking through the Cornwall Centre today, I noticed how well the architects incorporated the facade of old buildings along the mall's walkways and storefronts.

This entrance way from the old Bank of Commerce features what I would describe as a dental entablature (everything that rests above the columns) and a capital in the Corinthian style. (Yes, I had to research this to include it in this blog.)

This picture does not provide a sense of how large these columns are; it would take three people holding hands to encircle one of these columns at the column's base.

According to the Government of Saskatchewan's Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport, the building was erected in 1900 in Winnipeg but was dismantled and moved to Regina in 1911 (Regina: The Early Years lists everything a year later.) I like the Government's site better because it shows the building before and after it was incorporated into the mall.

January 18-Branch 001 of the Royal Canadian Legion

Who knew that Regina is home to Canada's first Legion branch?! Looking at past issues of the Royal Canadian Legion's newsletter online, I learned that the Regina Branch was founded in 1926. For most of its proud history, it had a very large group of active members, totalling 3,000 people at one point.

The 28,000 square foot building shown in this picture cost $335,000 to build in 1951. It was officially opened on October 17, 1951 by HRH Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Across the doorway is carved "Dedicated to the memory of those who gave their lives for freedom 1914-18 1938-45"

I stepped inside and was amazed at how beautiful it is ... the stain glass window, eight painted murals, and inlaid mosaics in a terrazzo floor. No wonder it's listed as a Saskatchewan Heritage Property and a Designated Municipal Heritage Property.

I want to approach the Legion first to get their permission before taking photos of their interior. If I get permission, I will post the photos later this year. In the meantime, you can see some photos of their interior by going to this Waymarking site entry.

January 17-St. Mary's Catholic Church

St. Mary's Catholic Parish has been in active service since 1883 - nearly 127 years! However, the church you see above has not been around that long; it's the fourth to serve this parish in its long history.

Built in 1960, this fourth church has ornate stain glass windows, high vaulted ceilings and elaborate woodwork inside. It is a testament to the dedication and workmanship of those who built it.

St. Mary's Catholic Parish is found in several Canadian history books; it was the temporary resting place of Louis Riel, after he was hung for being found guilty of treason in 1885 for leading the Riel Rebellion. His body was eventually transported to St. Boniface, Manitoba a few weeks later for burial.

For information about the 125 anniversary of the parish, visit the Archdiocese's website.

January 16-Old Post Office

This picture is of the clock tower of the building referred to by many as the Old Post Office building in Regina. (It's also know as the Prince Edward Building because it was officially renamed that when he came to see the building in 2004.)

Opened in 1907, the Post Office added this bell tower five years later. It features the crest of the British Kingdom. The banner underneath the crest says "Dieu et mon proit" (God & my right). The Post Office remained in this building for 49 years.

In 1962, the City of Regina moved it's offices into the building while it built a new City Hall (See January 2 posting for a picture of it.) After this, the Globe Theatre moved into the upper stories of the building and have been their ever since. The main level features shops and restaurants.

For more information about the Old Post Office building, see the Prince Edward Building entry in Wikipedia.

P.S. Sorry for the delay in posting this; I attended a wedding last night and forgot to post yesterday's photo. So today the time stamp will show two entries - this one and the entry for today's photo.