The MacDonald Block

Four unidentified people posed outside the A. MacDonald Wholesale store. A. Macleod, Tailor, is located in the building next door.

Galt Museum & Archives, 19738170002.

Several advertisements have been constant throughout fires, renovations and new businesses in Lethbridge's downtown. The MacDonald Block is one of few buildings that have held a vintage advertisement and withstood the test of time. One hundred and twenty-five years’ worth of local business have held a place in this building at 302 5 Street South. Currently a pawn shop, it holds a clue to Lethbridge's past. 

Named after its founder, Alexander MacDonald, the MacDonald block was built in 1897 as a small, one-storey general store that sold fabrics and everyday household items. Often a warehouse was found near the store, not far from the business front. At the time it was built, Alexander MacDonald had many small stores throughout western Canada and over time, developed even more from coast to coast. He was a familiar face to his workers as he visited his warehouses often. Compared to today's structure, MacDonald’s store in Lethbridge would be almost unrecognizable. 

Unidentified clerk in the A. MacDonald Company General Store, the dry goods section of the store. Galt Museum & Archives, 19672953001.

Renovations came in 1907 when Edwin Ulysses Rylands bought the MacDonald block. He made significant changes to the building, including adding a second floor. The upstairs was rented out as office space by various local professionals. According to Joan Rylands Croskery (Rylands’ daughter), “accountants, lawyers, a dentist and a music teacher” were among the tenants. Downstairs, Edwin sold fabric and ready-to-wear clothes to Lethbridge citizens. To this day, his store sign is visible on the side of the building. Rylands worked for 40 years at this location and ran the store until he was 83 years old.

There were a few management and business changes at the MacDonald block as time went on. In 1978, the building was a national department store and in 2004 a furniture store. From a general store to a pawnshop, the MacDonald building has seen several changes in Lethbridge. However, unlike some other historic buildings downtown, the painted name for Rylands & Co. remains, hopefully to stay.

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