Historic Sites of Manitoba: Crescent Garage and Auto Sales Building (791 Corydon Avenue, Winnipeg)

This one-storey brick building at the northwest corner of Corydon Avenue and Arbuthnot Street in Winnipeg, measuring 100 feet by 120 feet, was designed by local architect Edward Parkinson. It was built between late 1927 and mid-1928 by the Claydon Construction Company, using structural steel provided by the Manitoba Bridge and Iron Works, for William M. Brennan of the Crescent Garage and Auto Sales Limited at a cost of about $37,000.

The 10,000 square foot building had showroom space that sold Packard, Hudson, and Essex automobiles at the front while the rear was for auto repair.

Through the years, the showroom portion of the building was divided up with part of it used as a retail space while the rest of the showroom and rear of the building became an auto body shop. It has been occupied continuously by Penner Auto Body for over 40 years.

Crescent Auto Sales and Garage Building

Crescent Auto Sales and Garage Building (1928)
Source: Winnipeg Tribune, 4 April 1928, page 20

Crescent Auto Sales and Garage Building

Crescent Auto Sales and Garage Building (June 2021)
Source: George Penner

Crescent Auto Sales and Garage Building

Crescent Auto Sales and Garage Building (October 2022)
Source: Jordan Makichuk

Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.87031, W97.15530
denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Memorable Manitobans: Edward Parkinson (1878-1953)

Manitoba Business: Claydon Brothers Construction Company / Claydon Construction Limited

Manitoba Business: Manitoba Bridge and Iron Works / Manitoba Bridge and Engineering Works

Sources:

City of Winnipeg Building Permit 4657/1927, City of Winnipeg Archives.

“Building shows big increase,” Winnipeg Tribune, 14 January 1928, page 1.

“Building $50,000 brick garage in winter months,” Manitoba Free Press, 14 January 1928, page 28.

“Great construction year is ahead in Winnipeg; Many new apartments,” Manitoba Free Press, 11 February 1928, page 17.

“New sales and service garage for Ft. Rouge,” Winnipeg Tribune, 4 April 1928, page 20.

“Many visit opening of Crescent Garage,” Winnipeg Tribune, 7 April 1928, page 19.

Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada, 1800-1950 by Robert G. Hill, Toronto.

We thank George Penner for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Jordan Makichuk and Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 14 October 2023

Historic Sites of Manitoba

This is a collection of historic sites in Manitoba compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. The information is offered for historical interest only.

Browse lists of:
Museums/Archives | Buildings | Monuments | Cemeteries | Locations | Other

Inclusion in this collection does not confer special status or protection. Official heritage designation may only come from municipal, provincial, or federal governments. Some sites are on private property and permission to visit must be secured from the owner.

Site information is provided by the Manitoba Historical Society as a free public service only for non-commercial purposes.


Send corrections and additions to this page
to the MHS Webmaster at webmaster@mhs.mb.ca.

Search Tips | Suggest an Historic Site | FAQ

Help us keep history alive!