This is the story of the two original families, the McKenzies and the Sharlands, who lived and worked in the wood frame, two-storey grocery building located on Dominion Street in the historic River Flats of Medicine Hat.
You may wonder why the Dominion Street grocery store is now referred to as The McKenzie Sharland Municipal Historic Site. City records indicate the first grocer on the corner of Washington Avenue and Dominion Street was William J. McKenzie who, along with his wife, Margaret, built and started this business in 1912.
Read MoreHERITAGE IN THE HAT (Medicine Hat News) William T. Williams was a busy man around town! In 1912, he set to work on a new project, a grocery store in a growing new neighbourhood...
Read MoreLeonard A. Sharland and his wife, Jessie, acquired McKenzie Grocery in 1926. Along with their two young daughters, the young family moved in and lived “above the shop”. A newly acquired, 1927 four cylinder Ford truck purchased for $750 meant they could offer grocery delivery to their customers. Imagine! Just call Sharland L.A. Fruit & Groceries at 2584 for a home delivery.
Read MoreAmazing what turns up sometimes during a renovation project. Some artifacts are obvious, some are not. We’ve asked around, but we still don’t know the name of this mystery item or how it might have been used.
Read MoreLinseed oil paint was historically manufactured and used widely across North America up until the post-war period when it was replaced by petroleum-based solvent and later by water-based latex paint, common today. However, conservation experts are recommending linseed oil paint for preservation and restoration. In fact, an argument can be made to use it for new construction as well but unfortunately it is not widely available. See more at http://solventfreepaint.ca
The McKenzie family was associated with Knox Presbyterian Church on Dominion St at the time of its founding and the Sharland family continued that tradition. Here is the story of that church.
Used every day, but not an oversized coffee mug! Found under every bed....
Read MoreDid a neighbour buy his Ginger Beer next door at the Sharland Grocery?
Read MoreEvery brick tells a story. Here's what the chimney had to say.
Read MoreEvery home in this neighbourhood has a story. The Lauder House, at the southwest corner of Dominion and Washington across from the future site of McKenzie Mews, is named after its original owners, George and Mary Lauder. A small bungalow built in 1912, it was raised and expanded in 1956. Another house at the back of the lot was lost to fire. Here is the story of the Lauders’ home.
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