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.

January 15-Harbour Landing

A year ago, the area south of the airport was an empty field. Now, it is a sea of snow and dirt, pipe and underground cables jutting up from the ground like small black twigs as the builders begin to errect houses in Regina's newest community - Harbour Landing.

In a year from now, this view of Regina's downtown buildings will be blocked by row after row of houses. (I wasn't kidding when I said my town was flat!)

Go to Harbour Landing's website to see how the community will look once it is finished.