Historic Sites of Manitoba: Hales House (1312 Tenth Street, Brandon)

The Hales House is significant as the long-time residence of Benjamin Jones Hales, the first Principal of Brandon Normal School (located a short block away) and a noted naturalist, author and founder of the B. J. Hales Museum of Natural History, a significant collection of mounted birds and mammals.

The attractive Arts and Crafts-style home, constructed in 1912, is a fine representation of genteel early twentieth-century domesticity, highlighted by the fanciful double-eyebrow shape of its front roofline, ample windows, porches and exterior finishes of red brick and light stucco, and a bright, comfortable interior graced with fine oak woodwork. The whole is well placed on spacious landscaped grounds that retain elements designed by Hales, including various plantings, fish pond, and stone wall.

It is a municipally-designated heritage building (2007).

Hales House (October 2012) Source: Gordon Goldsborough Hales House (March 2021) Source: George Penner Front view of the Hales House (June 2025) Source: Gordon Goldsborough Rear view of the Hales House (June 2025) Source: Gordon Goldsborough Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.82982, W99.95174 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Memorable Manitobans: Benjamin Jones Hales (1868-1945)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites

Sources:

B. J. Hales House, Manitoba Historic Resources Branch

City of Brandon By-law No. 6850, 5 February 2007.

We thank Tim Worth and George Penner for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 25 June 2025

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