McKague's Ltd.

Description of the Historic Place

The McKague’s Ltd. building is a three bay two storey commercial building located at 300 3rd Avenue South in Saskatoon's downtown. Constructed in 1921, the building is known for its association with the McKague family and their operation of a funeral parlour in Saskatoon.  

Heritage Value

The McKague’s Ltd. building features a façade constructed of medium to dark brown variegated brick with light concrete coping on the parapet and light, cast-concrete plain lintels and sills on the upper windows. Unique architectural details can be seen in its parapet roof with an ogee centre arch and square corner steps. 

In addition to its architecture, the heritage value of the McKague’s Ltd. building also lies in its association with the McKague family, who originally came to Saskatchewan as homesteaders in the Outlook/Conquest area in 1907. The family first became involved in the funeral service business when called upon to arrange a burial for a neighbour who had died in childbirth.  George H. McKague saw the need for a funeral home in the area and as a result started a business called G.H. McKague & Sons Funeral Directors. 

In 1913, Saskatoon city officials invited the McKague family to set up a business in the Traveller's Block. McKague's son, Harry, studied professional funeral service in Toronto and returned to help the family business. In 1921 the McKague family opened their business at 300 3rd Avenue South. The suites on the second floor above the funeral home were rented out in the twenties, and the McKague family lived there after 1929 (after extensive renovations to the building). George H. McKague was elected vice-president of the Saskatchewan Funeral Directors and Embalmers' Association in 1917.  He was also president of the Saskatoon Quakers Rugby Football Association and was a member of the Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, and the Masons.

The McKague family continue to operate in Saskatoon today, although in a different location. The McKague building located along 3rd Avenue South still bears the signage of the McKague family name, and continues to be a notable landmark in downtown Saskatoon.

Source: City of Saskatoon Built Heritage Database

Character Defining Elements

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

• Its architecture, including its brick façade, parapet roof with ogee centre arch and square corner steps, and the cast-concrete plain lintels and sills on the upper windows; and
• Those features that represent its historical significance such as its original location in the City’s downtown and the McKague Ltd. signage.