McGowan Building

Description of the Historic Place

The McGowan Building (also known as the Wilson Block) is a two-storey brick and stone commercial building that was constructed in 1911. This historic place is located at 122 2nd Avenue North in Saskatoon’s Central Business District.

Heritage Value

The heritage value of the McGowan Building lies in its architecture. The building is representative of simplified Italianate style, a style that began in England as part of the Picturesque movement. Constructed of brick and stone, the building features a two-tiered parapet roofline with wide overhanging eaves, tall narrow arched windows with voussoirs, heavy sills, and keystones. Tyndall stone pilasters flank the façade and a decorative ogee pediment in carved Tyndall stone is located in the center.  The building was designed by Walter W. LaChance, a prominent Saskatoon architect who also designed Saskatoon’s original Victoria School, Fire Hall No. 1 and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Temple.

The heritage value of the McGowan Building also lies in its association with James Wilson. In 1896 Wilson moved to Saskatoon and, along with his brother, opened a general store and Saskatoon’s first creamery. In 1900, he sold his interest in the businesses and moved to Moose Jaw, only to return to Saskatoon in 1902 to start a flour milling company which was later sold to the Quaker Oats Company. Wilson became town mayor, and when the city was newly incorporated, he was a Councillor and again became mayor from 1907 to 1908. Wilson also spent many years as President of the Saskatoon Exhibition Board of Directors. It was under his guidance that the exhibition grounds were purchased and the buildings constructed. In 1917, Wilson, a Conservative, was elected to the federal government as Member for Saskatoon. In 1921, he entered the federal cabinet but was defeated in the election of that year. Wilson continues to be honored for his commitment to civic movements and undertakings that have marked the progress of the city from its village days to the present.

A number of tenants have called the McGowan Building including McGowan's Co., Arlington Art Gallery, Custom Stereos, Peru and Radio Shack. Despite changes to its main floor exterior (including new windows and entry doors) the McGowan Building continues to be an iconic, unique building along 2nd Avenue North.

Source: City of Saskatoon Built Heritage Database

Character Defining Elements

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

• Its Italianate architecture, evident in its brick façade with Tyndall stone accents, pilasters, arched windows with keystones, and the two-tiered parapet roofline with wide overhanging eaves; 
• Those elements that speak to the historic integrity of the building, including its original location; and
• Those elements that support the building's contribution to the 2nd Avenue streetscape, such as its scale, form and massing.