MN1113 MORDEN - [CROWD IN FRONT OF PHARMACY]

Nice one.

"Albert Hickling - Saddlery & Valises"

I don't believe I've seen a sign for "valises" before.

Thanks for adding in that signage information! It caused me to look harder...

Just to the left of the Pharmacy sign is one that reads "Victoria" and a second word I can't make out. Right below that is a second sign reading Geos[?] Laundry.

VICTORIA HALL

Across the street, four buildings to the right of the Saddlery store, a sign reads "Victoria Theatre". This building appears to be "Victoria Hall", built in 1898. The hall itself was on the second floor, above the T. T. Thompson Co. - a hardware & farm implement store. Both a dance hall and theatre, it could manage seating of up to 500 patrons.

Just to the right of the big telephone pole in this image, a roofed balcony can be seen jutting out from the Victoria Theatre. From this balcony any announcement of significant importance to the town would be proclaimed.

From the write up I learned that the street in the postcard photo is Stephen Street.

I drew this information from this document: mordenmb.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/07-Entertainment.pdf

THE PHARMACY

The Pharmacy building was built in 1898 at the S. E. corner of Stephen Street and 7th Street (current address 290 Stephen Street) and originally operated as "J. A. Hobbs Druggist". Here is an image of the original building:



Now, in 2016, it is home to Marathon Pizza. Here is a link to a current image and write-up from the Manitoba Historical Society: www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/sites/hobbsbuilding.shtml

Excellent observation. They are Union Jacks. Two are hanging above the entrance and several smaller ones, attached to stick handles (suitable for individuals to hold and wave during a parade) are displayed along the left side of the entrance. I don't see anyone carrying a flag. It could be that this is an early gathering in anticipation of a parade/celebration.

Further up the street, there is a small crowd to the right of the automobile. On closer examination, it is a small troop of boy scouts - leading more credence to the speculation that this scene was related to an event.