Landmark Building
C.W.STEVENS BUILDING, 1897
2nd Avenue and 25th Street, Fort Macleod
Built in 1897
'); "C.W.Stevens Building")
The Stevens Building was originally built for J. Struthers in 1897. The lower level housed the town's post office which at that time was an essential service for the rapidly growing new community. The second floor of the building was used as a lodge for the Fort Macleod Masons, Alberta No. 37, later changed to Alberta No. 3. Subsequent occupants of the building included the Northern Crown Bank and the Macleod Advertiser, a local newspaper.
In 1921, a local carpenter named C. W. Stevens bought the building and used it as his carpentry shop until 1979. To this day his name remains associated with it. The threat of demolition forced the building to be moved in April 1980 from its original site on 24th Street to its present location just west of the Fort Museum. Every summer, a small general store much like those of the early 1900s is operated by the Museum from the building. It is open to the public and displays 1911 Macleod Gazette printing implements, which until 1979 were still in use. From this site, visitors and residents alike can view the Porcupine Hills, fifteen miles west of town.
This two-storey wood-frame building is one of only three remaining commercial wood structures in Fort Macleod. After a fire in 1906 burned down several of the commercial buildings in town, the town passed a bylaw stating that no commercial building on Main Street could be constructed of wood.
The Stevens building is an excellent example of the commercial boomtown style that was characteristic of Fort Macleod's main street in the 1890s. Of particular interest are the decorative brackets under the eaves on the south elevation and the two corbelled brick chimneys. The interior has been restored with the original fir flooring and tongue
and groove walls and ceilings. The building, proudly displaying the name "C. W. Stevens,” has become a well-known stopping place for visitors to the area.
The Landmark Buildings and Places Database draws on the series of walking and/or driving tour booklets produced by Alberta Culture (now Alberta Culture and Community Spirit). The Heritage Community Foundation gratefully acknowledges the support of the Ministry through permission to reprint these materials online. Extracted from A Walking/Driving Tour of Fort Macleod’s Historic Downtown & Residential Area. Alberta Culture and Multiculturalism and Fort Macleod Provincial Historic Area Society, n.d., with permission from Alberta Culture and Community Spirit. Visit the Alberta Culture and Community Spirit for more information.