START THIS TOUR at
Provincial Court House:
(524 Central Avenue)
The Provincial Court House was designed by R.F. Lawrence and was completed in 1911. It was the first such building to have the courtroom located in the middle of the upper floor, thus eliminating external noise. Note the pedimented main entrance and entablatures of white marble, contrasted against exterior brickwork with Romanesque arched windows and extensive stained glass. With its complementary stone walls and iron grillwork around it, the CourtHouse is an impressive building.
The Winnipeg Hotel: 426 Central Ave.
Constructed in 1900, the Winnipeg Hotel, a wood-frame building, luckily escaped the two disastrous city fires of 1908 & 1911. This hotel, originally with a corner tower and bay windows, is a good example of the “Queen Anne Com-mercial style.”
Grand Forks Hotel: 7382 2nd St.
The Grand Forks Hotel was built at the turn of the century by William Bontron for F. Hartinger, who was owner of the Columbia Brewery.
Stylistically, the building is a fairly austere example of Edwardian Classical Revival architecture. It is constructed of concrete black with rusticated concrete block quoins at the corners. The decorative parapet has brackets at either end or a dental course under the cornice.
The building’s exterior remains virtually unaltered from its construction date.
The Bonthron Block: 7375 2nd St.
Built by Mr. Bonthron at the turn of the century. It used to have a dance hall upstairs and McCleod & Hodgson Grocery and Dry Goods on the main floor. Rumour has it that alcohol stored in the basement survived the fires that swept throughout the downtown of Grand Forks. The building has been extensively renovated.
The Grand Forks Gazette: 7330 2nd St.
Constructed as the Club Saloon in 1903, the building became a city garage and was later rented to the Gazette in 1931. In the 1940s the exterior was renovated to its current appearance.
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce: 7310 2nd St.
Originally constructed in 1909 for the Eastern Township Banks, which amalgamated, with the Commerce in 1912, the building was renovated in the 1960s.
Uptown Sew & Serge: 7319 2nd St.
This building was part of the corner block structure built for the Boundary Trust and Investment Co. in 1908. In fact, Boundary Trust occupied this portion of the building. Numerous small businesses have since made use of the site.
When turning on to Market Avenue you will notice the buildings are now constructed in brick. This was a necessity brought about by the fires of 1908 and 1911 that ravaged the downtown.
Work n Play: 221 Market Ave.
Originally Woodland Drug Store and Acres Drug Store, the building once had a mezzanine balcony and photos show the old ornate iron-work ice-cream chairs and tables that occupied the main floor space.
His ‘n’ Her Fashions: 239 Market Ave.
This building was originally constructed in 1913 for Clarke Bros. Men’s Store after the “Big Fire”. This business remained with the Clarke family until 1976. The store was later enlarged to take in part of an adjoining hardware business.
Gem Theatre: 257 Market Ave.
The Gem was originally the Empress Theatre, built in the 1920s. First a silent movie theatre, it changed to the “talkies” in the 1930s.
Unique Café: 214 Market Ave.
Once the old Royal Bank this building was also used as City Hall. The building underwent renovations in the 1970s and the ceiling was lowered, but the old vault still remains at the back of the main floor.
Windward Travel: 214 Market Ave.
This is part of the original 1910 Royal Bank Building. Between 1946 and 1981 this portion of the structure was used as a city hall annex.
Sun-Lite Travel: 224 Market Ave.
Constructed prior to 1903. Records for that year show William Dinsmore Merchant/Tailor occupying the building. While the front of the original two-storey structure remains, later additions and renovations were made to the rear of the building.
Select Office Products: 254 Market Ave.
Records are vague about this site. A street scene after the 1911 fire shows a two-storey building dated 1899. There have of course been renovations, closing off the upper balcony and windows.
The Borscht Bowl: 258 Market Avenue
Probably located on the site of a two-storey building dated 1899. The street scene photo was taken the morning after the extensive city fire of July 25, 1911.
The Davis Block: 268 Market Avenue
The Davis Block is the third major commercial building constructed by Jeff Davis, Grand Forks’ first department store owner, prominent businessman and civic leader. This substantial brick building creates a powerful architectural statement on Grand Forks’ main street. The exterior features of the building are typical of Edwardian Classical Revival commercial architecture. The front facade is divided into bays by pilasters and the building is capped by a decorative pediment.
Andy’s TV Centre: 337 Market Ave.
This building is an excellent example of boomtown architecture. It is an end-gabled store with a prominent false front. This type of false front commercial building was very common in early BC towns, and is usually associated with the first stage of civic development. The false front effect attempted to simulate the solidity and maturity of larger centres.
The building is identified on the 1899 fire map as a furniture store and is probably the oldest commercial building in Grand Forks.
Coldwell Banker: 347 Market Ave.
Originally the British Columbia Telephone Office. In 1898 Grand Forks was connected by telephone to the outside world. Night telephone service began in 1907. The Market Ave. building was the second location. The design of the building is reminiscent of the Queen Anne commercial style.
Contact Photo Arts: 353 Market Ave.
The present building was constructed in 1990 to replace the original 1899 building. It maintains the heritage theme of the original structure.
Thimble Mtn. Books & Radio Shack: 334 Market Ave.
Originally constructed as an auto dealership in 1926 the building exterior retains many art deco flourishes common to that era.
Masonic Hall: 366 Market Ave.
Built for the lOOF (Odd Fellows) in 1925 the structure has undergone renovations yet signs of the original brick treatments are visible.
War Monument Cenotaph
Annually around Remembrance Day ceremonies there is debate as to why the torch is engraved upside down. Was it a mistake? It remains a mystery.
Old Post Office (now City Hall): 429 Market Ave
The present City Hall building was designed by architects from the Department of Public Works in Ottawa. Construction began in 1911 and, because of the substantial nature of the building, was not completed until 1915.
This building is an outstanding example of the Edwardian Classical Revival style. The picturesque way in which this building is sited adds to its dramatic effect and makes this an ideal gateway to the downtown area.
Selkirk College: 486 72nd Ave.
This building was constructed in 1898 and was known as Columbia Brewery in 1899, later becoming an auto shop and finally Selkirk College. This early industrial enterprise is a reminder of Grand Forks’ boomtown origins. It is interesting to note that in October of 1898, The Grand Forks Miner reported there were 10 hotels with saloons running at full blast.
Nick’s Feed Centre: 7261 5th St.
This is one of the last of the original packing houses for onions and potatoes.

Contact the Chamber of Commerce of the City of Grand Forks for more info: gfchambe@sunshinecable.com 1 866 442 2833
Websites to visit:
www.grandforkschamber.com - www.city.grandforks.bc.ca - www.boundarycf.com - www.boundary.bc.ca