Historic Sites of Manitoba: Bank of British North America Building / Olympia Café Building (1000 Rosser Avenue, Brandon)

Formerly located at the southwest corner of Tenth Street and Rosser Avenue in Brandon, this three-storey brick building was designed by local architect William Richard Marshall and built in 1890 by contactor William Bell as a branch of the Bank of British North America. In 1918, the bank was absorbed by the Bank of Montreal. In the 1920s, the space became occupied by the Olympia Cafe and, in 1929, a new tea room, restaurant, and ice cream parlour were constructed by contractor George William Epton along Tenth Street.

The building was destroyed by fire on 6 April 1953. Three years later, another branch of the Bank of Montreal was constructed on this site.

Olympia Café Building (no date) Source: Lawrence Stuckey Collection 1-2002.3.1E11, S. J. McKee Archives, Brandon University Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.84833, W99.95168 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Memorable Manitobans: William Richard Marshall (1854-1909)

Memorable Manitobans: William Bell (1863-1936)

Manitoba Business: Bank of British North America

Manitoba Business: Bank of Montreal

Memorable Manitobans: George William Epton (1890-1952)

Sources:

“Grand formal opening [Olympia Lunch Counter and Grill Room],” Brandon Sun, 25 June 1928, page 11.

This page was prepared by Jordan Makichuk and Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 25 June 2025

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