Moose Jaw
CONEXUS Visual
Arts Centre-MaE
Wilson Theatre
217
Main St. N. Phone 306-693-4700
The Moose Jaw Cultural Centre is made up of three buildings
rich in history. The Capitol Theatre is the centerpiece
complemented by the former Army & Navy and the former A& B
Buildings. Below is a detailed history of these magnificent
buildings that all date back to the early 1900's.
The Capitol Theatre- 217 Main St. N. Moose Jaw, SK (was
51 Main St. N. before 1914)
Opening Night, The Allen Theatre, August 19,
1916
The Capitol was designed by Calgary architect, James McTeague in
1913 as the Monarch Theatre. Due to the first World War the
original Monarch Theatre was never completed. The Allen Theatre
Chain took over the project and made changes to the original
plans. By the time the Theatre had its grand opening on August
19, 1916 the Allen Theatre in Moose Jaw was the largest Theatre
in Saskatchewan. The 910-seat Theatre operated under the Allen
name until 1922 with a policy of showing films up to October 1
and then hosting road shows from Winnipeg’s Walker Theatre as
well as the vaudeville circuit.
The Theatre operated under the Allen name until 1922 and at that
time the name was changed to the Capitol Theatre. The Capitol
has most of the unique and great architectural features today as
it did at the early part of the century. In 1929 the Theatre was
renovated for sound and became Canada’s 21st Theatre in the
Famous Players Chain to receive Movietone and Vitaphone
equipment. The renovations of that period were extensive and
focused on modernization including improvements to electrical
and ventilation systems, new drapes and a new stage. The Theatre
operated in this capacity between 1923 to 1982. By 1983 the
demand for a modern Theatre had transformed the Capitol into the
Capitol 3 Theatre. The Theatre was subdivided into a 652-seat
triplex and operated as a triplex until its closure in August
2001.
Despite the array of operators, the age of the building, and the
numerous renovations to the building most of the standard
interior features of the 1910 period are still present. The
Capitol features quasi-classical bas-relief panels emblazoned
with cherubs and the familiar crest to the Allen Theatre Chain.
There is an ornate plaster ceiling, mirrored pillars and tile
floors in the lobby with marble entrance stairs and panels along
the stairwells to the balcony. The most striking feature of the
exterior is the decorative geometric design created with varicolored brick set into three large recessed panels. From
above and below, white imprinted moldings highlight the panels.
The original vertical exterior sign was replaced by a
traditional over-hanging movie marquee shortly after World War
II. Removed at the same time was a pediment-like triangle at the
centre of the parapet topped with the Allen Theatre crest. The
feasibility study recommended restoring the interior to its
original state and making the Capitol a place for live Theatre
and acts.
213 Main St. N. (A & B Casual Clothing Building)
(This was actually 47 Main St. North until 1914 when they
renumbered the street.)
The newest element and addition to the future of the Cultural
Centre includes another building adjacent to the Capitol
Theatre. The building at 213 Main St. N., Moose Jaw was built in
1909 and was until recently A & B Casual Clothing. The building
was originally built for Manley, Loney & Co. Real Estate. This
space went through a variety of uses once Manley and Loney
vacated in 1915. Retailers, insurance agents, physicians,
dentists, and musicians were all tenants in the period from 1915
up until May 31, 2002.
1909 - built for Manley, Loney & Co. Real Estate
1912 - became Manley & Slater Automobile Co.
1913-15 - Richard Loney Real Estate
1916 - Vacant
1917 - Moose Jaw Motor Sales Co.
1918 - Scott's Music Store
1919 - Canada Life Assurance Co.
- Spencer & McKay (all 3 in bldg. at same time)
- Broatch Seed Co.
1920 - Broatch Seed Co.
- Will Agricultural Implements
presume 2nd floor added at this time, which housed:
- Pennington (Physician)
- Silknitted (Dentist)
1921 - National Fly & Trap Co.
- Broatch Seed Co.
- Physician & Dentist
1922 - Fuller Brush Co. & Rea's Silks
- Broatch Seed Co.
- Physician & Dentist
1923 - 24 - Fuller Brush Co., Rea's Silks
- Longstaff's Ltd.
1925-29 - Rea's Silks & Dry Goods
1930-47 - National Light & Power Store
1933 - Moose Jaw Flying Club also at this address
1948-52 - Crescent Furniture
1953-58 - The Marshall Wells Store
1959 - Vacant
1960 - McIlrath Hardware
1961-67 - The Saan Store
1968 - Vacant
1969-87 - Blackwell's Piano & Organ
1979-87 - added the Record Rack in the basement
1988-89 - Vacant
1990 - The Optical House (and) E.M & D Cards & Gifts
1991-94 - M & D Cards
1995 - May 31/02 - A & B Casual Clothing
225 Main St. N. - Former Army & Navy
The former Army and Navy building is a key component to the
functionality of the Cultural Centre. The original occupant of
the building was the Merchants Bank of Canada. It was
constructed in 1918 designed by the Saskatchewan Firm Storey &
Van Egmond. The Merchant Bank was the main tenant until 1922. An
array of retailers and bank offices utilized the building until
1945. At that time the Army & Navy Department store moved into
the building and remained there until 2000 when the Department
Store phased out its Saskatchewan operations. The building’s
exterior presents an excellent brick pattern. Some detailing had
been lost due to renovations. The interior ambience and
decoration still remains and the façade is made out of the same
material as the Capitol Theatre. As the feasibility study
determined, the Army & Navy accommodates the required art
spaces, support services for the performing arts centre, and the
majority of public and administrative spaces now in use.
1919-24 - Scott's Music Store
1925-27 - Forster Music Co.
1928 - 44 - Child & Gower Piano Co.
1945 - becomes part of the Army & Navy Department Store
227 Main St. N.
1918-22 - Merchants Bank building offices
1923-30 - Bank of Montreal building offices
1931-44 - Bank of Montreal Chambers Offices
1945-2000 - part of the Army & Navy Department Store
229 Main St. N.
1918-31 - Yale Shoe Co.
1932 - Vacant
1933-40 - Wilson's Stationery (and) Western News
1942-44 - Wilson's Stationery
1945-2000 - part of the Army & Navy Department Store
233 Main St. N.
1919-29 - Myrtle Gledhill Millinery
1930 - Knight Mill
1931-39 - Kerr & Anderson
1940-44 - R.J. Kerr Ltd. Clothing
1945-2000 - Army & Navy Department Store
Moose Jaw
CONEXUS Visual
Arts Centre-Mae
Wilson Theatre-217
Main St. N. Phone 306-693-4700
