Butler Block

Description of the Historic Place

The Butler Block is a two-storey rectangular building located at 239 20th Street West in the neighbourhood of Riversdale. Built in 1907, the building is situated on the corner of 20th Street West and Avenue C South.

Heritage Value

Designed by H. S. Griffiths, the Butler Block is a frame construction building with a full stone basement. The Butler Block was built in 1907 by Dr. J.H.C. Willoughby and Bridget Butler (widow of John Butler). Willoughby, who came to Saskatoon in 1883, was the first doctor in Saskatoon and served in the Field Hospital Corps during the 1885 Northwest Resistance. After leaving Saskatoon for Europe and Regina, he returned in the late 1890s, bought a farm (where St. Paul's Hospital now stands), and by 1904 was involved in real estate. He was instrumental in organizing the petition that created the Village of Riversdale (incorporated in 1905).

John Butler was a developer/speculator from Minneapolis. After travelling to the Klondike with his sons for the Gold Rush, he came to Saskatoon and by 1904 was involved in real estate. He was one of 37 people to sign the petition for the creation of the Village of Riversdale. Butler had  built the Butler Hotel at 201 20th Street West, which was later sold to Robert Barry who built the Barry Hotel on the site.

Over the years, a number of tenants have occupied the Butler Block. In 1909, for example, the Collegiate Institute held classes here before their building (now referred to as Nutana Collegiate) was completed. From 1912-1914 the Saskatoon Trading Co. occupied the entire main floor. Other businesses to occupy the building include dry goods and clothing stores, meat markets, groceries, and confectionaries.

The building has undergone many changes since its construction in 1907, but it has retained its decorative cornice with dentil molding and a decorative sphere atop the pediment in the centre of the north-facing façade. The Butler Block remains an important and highly visible reminder of the early boom years of Riversdale.

Source: City of Saskatoon Built Heritage Database

Character Defining Elements

Key elements which contribute to the heritage value of this historic resource include:

• Those elements that represent its historical significance including its cornice, dentils, moldings, decorative sphere, pediment, brick on the lower portion of the north façade, and its original location in the Riversdale area.