This two-storey building in Miami in the Rural Municipality of Thompson was once a one-storey building that faced east on First (Blight) Street. In 1898, pharmacist Mark Westaway had the building moved to this south-facing site on Norton Avenue. He added a second floor, to provide space for two offices, one of which hosted circuitry for local telephone service and the other was a doctor's office. The main floor was Westaway's pharmacy which he operated until his death in 1942, after which his son Jack Westaway (1904-1990) continued in business until his retirement in 1977.
Jack Westaway sold the pharmacy to John and Judy Maddison who operated it until 2020, although it became a dispensing-only business, located in the neighbouring building to the east, as of 2010. The former pharmacy building accommodates a convenience store. The facade has been extensively modified from its original appearance. It is now connected to the adjacent former Bank of Hamilton Building.
Westaway Pharmacy Building (May 2021)
Source: George Penner
The former Canadian Bank of Commerce Building at left and the Westaway Pharmacy Building at right (June 2025)
Source: Gordon GoldsboroughSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.37045, W98.24251
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Mark Westaway (1868-1942)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Bank of Hamilton Building / Canadian Bank of Commerce Building (449 Norton Avenue, Miami, RM of Thompson)
Miami & R.M. of Thompson Chronicles by R.M. of Thompson History Book Committee, 1998, pages 54-55.
History, Westaway Pharmacy.
We thank Noah Penner for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough and George Penner.
Page revised: 20 June 2025
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