Historic Sites of Manitoba: Union Bank Building / Bank of Montreal Building (33 Main Street, Carberry)

This three-storey brick and stone architecturally impressive building on Main Street in Carberry was designed by Winnipeg architect George Browne and built in 1901 as a branch of the Union Bank of Canada at a cost of about $30,000.

In 1925, when the Union Bank merged with the Royal Bank of Canada, it was a branch of the merged company until 1934 when it became a branch of the Bank of Montreal. The ground floor of the building held the banking hall which had rich oak panelling and staircases, and half a dozen fireplaces. The second floor had a small dance floor and reception area, while the third floor was used as a residence for the branch manager. It is a municipally-designated heritage building (2007).

At the time of a 2024 site visit, the building was in the process of being deconstructed.

Postcard view of the Union Bank Building at Carberry

Postcard view of the Union Bank Building at Carberry (circa 1911)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough, 2017-0087

Former Bank of Montreal at Carberry

Bank of Montreal at Carberry (May 1949)
Source: Carberry Plains Archives

Former Bank of Montreal at Carberry

Former Bank of Montreal at Carberry (April 2010)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough

Former Bank of Montreal at Carberry being deconstructed

Former Bank of Montreal at Carberry being deconstructed (May 2023)
Source: Jordan Makichuk

Former Bank of Montreal at Carberry being deconstructed

Former Bank of Montreal at Carberry being deconstructed (September 2024)
Source: George Penner

Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.86691, W99.35953
denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Memorable Manitobans: George Browne (1852-1919)

Manitoba Business: Union Bank of Canada

Manitoba Business: Royal Bank of Canada

Manitoba Business: Bank of Montreal

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites

Historical Tour - Carberry, Manitoba by Rosemary Malaher
Manitoba History, Number 14, Autumn 1987

Sources:

“Tenders for bank building,” Manitoba Free Press, 23 May 1901, page 2.

Carberry Plains, Century One: 1882-1982 by Carberry History Committee, 1982.

Old Bank of Montreal, Manitoba Historic Resources Branch.

Fine building that shouldn't have been,” Winnipeg Free Press, 2 August 2013.

Carberry's Heritage Sites, Heritage Manitoba.

We thank Jordan Makichuk and George Penner for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 14 September 2024

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.

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